Game Review: GRiD 2

Developer: Codemasters Racing

Publisher: Codemasters Racing

Genre: Racing

Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3

Website: www.gridgame.com

Age Rating: 3+ (PEGI)

Codemasters are amazing. They’ve been around as long as I can remember, the earliest memory of them being the Dizzy games (none of which I actually managed to finish) before loving the Toca Touring Car and Colin McRae Rally games.

Since the start of the current generation of systems with Colin McRae: DiRT, Codies has been a shining light in the racing genre. Race Driver: GRiD stands as one of the best racing games this gen along with PGR4 (in my mind), joined by the ever improving DiRT series (with the exception of Showdown) and when GRiD 2 was announced, I nearly blew up with excitement.

The question is, can the renamed Codemasters Racing top the sublime original?

Formula 1 2013 - Round 6: Monaco

The Jewel in the crown, the greatest race in the world, the ultimate precession, the Monaco Grand Prix has been known as many things. However, it can’t be argued that it is one of the most classic, iconic races in the world and the ultimate test of a driver’s ability and courage as they rocket around what are tiny streets with barriers less than an inch away at times.

I've had the good fortune to go to Monaco both as a regular old tourist with no grasp of French (I am English after all) and to attend the Historic Grand Prix that alternates between Monaco and Pau on the opposite end of France’s south coast. Believe me when I say the place is tiny, especially with all the grand stands and barriers set up.

Anyway, there’s a race to discuss, not to mention other happenings around the Principality, a courageous pigeon as well as a few things that came to light from Barcelona. Let’s get cracking, shall we?

New Console Announcement: Microsoft Xbox One

I had something once: A finite amount of time. A precious thing that once used can never be reclaimed. Time that can create memories of victory, joy, sadness and camaraderie or can simply melt away into nothingness.

And it doesn't matter how many times, how passionately or forcefully I demand it, I can never get that hour back I spent watching the reveal of the Xbox One.

Formula 1 2013 - Round 5: Spain

And so Formula 1 returns to Europe, or more specifically to the place they spent most of their time testing. Maybe it’s the sun. Maybe it’s the Paella. Maybe it’s the fact Spain no longer looks upon Formula 1 with complete indifference because it has two additional wheels. Regardless, Formula 1 is back to what is technically its home continent.

Circuit de Catalunya is a typical old fashion circuit with gravel instead of tarmac on the outside of many of the corners. During testing, the teams have clocked up plenty of miles and know the circuit inside out, so we should see the cars at their best. But then, this track is notoriously difficult to overtake on, so we may just see someone who qualified on the front row win once again. But then, predictions haven’t always been 100% accurate this year.

Formula 1 2013 - Round 4: Bahrain

Bahrain always strikes me as an odd place to hold a grand prix. A tiny Gulf island kingdom that I actually lived on for three years as a tot while my dad worked there and while I was hugely surprised when they did actually get a grand prix, I have to give Tilka credit on this one, though not for the 2011 lay out. That was awful.

Anyway, the grand prix brought about a sense of déjà vu with the continued human rights issues in the country and the result giving me a sinking feeling, though I won’t spoil anything (though by the time I post this the result will be well known and analysed from every angle you can imagine and a few you couldn’t imagine) before you click ‘Read More’.

Formula 1 2013 - Round 3: China

Three weeks is a long time to stew. After the Malaysian Grand Prix, all eyes are on the Red Bull pairing for the usual wrong reasons, the teams meet again in China at one of Herman Tilke’s best tracks.

Only one driver has won twice since racing started at the Shanghai International Circuit and in recent years the racing here has been extremely exciting with some brilliant moves, not to mention a few bizarre incidents (such as Sebastian Buemi’s suspension disintegrating in 2010).

Of Course, all eyes are pointed in a very particular direction, straight at Red Bull. Will this latest chapter in the ‘relationship’ between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber lead to more blows on track?

Game Review: Victory: Age of Racing

Developer: Vae Victis

Publisher: Vae Victis

Genre: Racing

Platforms: PC

Website: http://victorythegame.com

Age Rating: N/A

Free to Play games seem to be almost everywhere at the moment, or at least facets of free to play games that really should remain in free to play games. The business model’s a good idea, basically providing access to the core game and offering additional perks for a small price. A lot of MMOs benefit from such a model, allowing people to have decent go at the game without the threat of being forced to subscribe to play.

Of course, it wasn’t long before the corporate zombies who only moan ‘money’ get involved and a number of these games are practically unplayable when played free, or people who pay get stuff that basically destroys the balance of the game (such as a one shot kill shot gun in a game like Call of Duty or Halo that can be effective at any range).

Getting back on topic before this turns into the Jimquisition, Victory: Age of Racing is another entry into the ever increasing ‘F2P’ market, with a unique selling point of it being the first ‘Massively Multiplayer Online Racing Game’, but it’s got more in its favour then that.