GRID: Ultimate Edition

GRID: Ultimate Edition is a compilation that includes the 2019 racing game GRID and its Ultimate Upgrade DLC, offering a diverse range of motorsport disciplines across global circuits. Players engage in high-stakes races across six categories—Touring, Stock, Tuner, GT, FA Racing, and Invitational—each featuring distinct cars and race types, from standard races to time trials and sprint events. The game introduces the Nemesis System, where AI drivers develop rivalries based on in-game interactions, and features a career mode culminating in the elite GRID World Series. With commentary from real-world racing experts and appearances by figures like Fernando Alonso, the game blends realistic racing mechanics with competitive multiplayer and offline play.

GRID: Ultimate Edition – A Reboot That Struggles to Recapture the Magic

Introduction: The Legacy of GRID and the Promise of a Reboot

The GRID franchise has long been a cornerstone of Codemasters’ racing portfolio, blending arcade accessibility with simulation depth. The 2008 original was a revelation—a career mode that mirrored the fantasy of climbing the motorsport ladder, from humble beginnings to global stardom. It was a game that balanced realism and fun, offering a globetrotting adventure with a diverse roster of cars and tracks. Fast forward to 2019, and GRID: Ultimate Edition arrives as a reboot, promising to recapture that magic while modernizing the experience. But does it succeed, or does it fall short of its predecessor’s legacy?

This review dissects GRID: Ultimate Edition in exhaustive detail, examining its development, gameplay mechanics, narrative (or lack thereof), world-building, reception, and legacy. We’ll explore whether this reboot lives up to the franchise’s storied past or if it’s merely a shadow of what once was.

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Development History & Context: A Reboot Born from Fan Feedback

The Studio and Vision

Codemasters, the British developer behind the TOCA, Dirt, and F1 series, has a long history of crafting racing games that cater to both hardcore sim enthusiasts and casual players. The GRID series, however, has always occupied a unique middle ground—accessible enough for arcade fans but deep enough to satisfy those craving a more authentic experience.

The decision to reboot GRID in 2019 was driven by fan feedback. According to the developers, the franchise had lost its identity over the years:
– GRID 2 (2013) was criticized for being too casual, stripping away much of the simulation depth that made the original so beloved.
– GRID Autosport (2014) swung too far in the opposite direction, prioritizing authenticity over accessibility, alienating casual players.

The 2019 reboot aimed to strike a balance, returning to the roots of the 2008 original while incorporating modern racing game conventions. The goal was clear: create a motorsport experience that was both deep and approachable, with a career mode that felt rewarding without being punishing.

Technological Constraints and the Gaming Landscape

GRID (2019) was built using Codemasters’ proprietary Ego Engine, the same technology powering their Dirt and F1 series. While the engine delivered impressive visuals and physics, it wasn’t without limitations:
– No Dynamic Weather: Unlike contemporaries like Forza Horizon 4, GRID lacked dynamic weather systems. Races could take place in rain or at night, but these conditions were pre-set rather than dynamically changing.
– Limited Car Customization: While the game boasted a diverse roster of 69 cars at launch, customization was superficial. Players could tweak liveries and colors but couldn’t modify performance parts or swap out body kits.
– Multiplayer Challenges: The online multiplayer mode was plagued by connectivity issues, particularly on PC, where players reported difficulty finding matches.

The gaming landscape in 2019 was crowded with racing titans:
– Forza Horizon 4 had set a new standard for open-world racing.
– F1 2019 offered a hyper-realistic simulation experience.
– Wreckfest catered to fans of destructive, arcade-style racing.

GRID needed to carve out its own niche, and Codemasters bet on its career mode and Nemesis System to differentiate it from the competition.

The Ultimate Edition: A Premium Experience

GRID: Ultimate Edition was released alongside the standard edition, offering a suite of bonus content:
– Six months of premium content, including 99 extra career events and 12 new cars.
– Exclusive liveries with XP boosts.
– VIP status, granting a 10% bonus to in-game earnings.
– Player cards, banners, and unique liveries for customization.

While much of this content was cosmetic, the VIP status and additional cars provided tangible benefits, making the Ultimate Edition the definitive way to experience the game.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: A Career Mode Without a Story

The Absence of a Traditional Narrative

Unlike games like Need for Speed or Forza Horizon, GRID (2019) eschews a traditional narrative in favor of a structured career mode. There are no cutscenes, no overarching plot, and no character development. Instead, the game relies on its GRID World Series framework to provide a sense of progression.

The GRID World Series: A Global Racing Fantasy

The career mode is structured around six disciplines:
1. Touring (TCR and Supercars)
2. Stock (Muscle cars and modified machines)
3. Tuner (JDM and time attack cars)
4. GT (GT4, GTE, and DPi cars)
5. FA Racing (Formula-style open-wheelers)
6. Invitational (Classic and one-off events)

Each discipline features a series of events culminating in a Showdown, a high-stakes race that unlocks access to the GRID World Series. To qualify, players must complete four of the six Showdowns, offering a flexible path to the finale.

Themes: Competition, Rivalry, and Progression

While GRID lacks a traditional story, it leans heavily into themes of rivalry and progression:
– The Nemesis System: One of the game’s most innovative features, the Nemesis System dynamically assigns rivals based on player actions. Aggressive driving—bumping, spinning, or blocking opponents—triggers AI drivers to seek revenge, adding a layer of unpredictability to races.
– Teammates and Loyalty: Players can hire teammates who assist during races, blocking opponents or providing strategic advice. However, ignoring their requests can turn them into nemeses, adding a risk-reward dynamic to teamwork.
– Progression Without Punishment: Unlike GRID Autosport, which required first-place finishes to progress, the 2019 reboot allows players to advance by completing a majority of events in each discipline. This accessibility was a deliberate choice to appeal to casual players.

Dialogue and Commentary: Hit or Miss

The game features in-race commentary from Alex (play-by-play) and Kristen (analyst), but their lines quickly become repetitive. Phrases like “shifting through the gears, getting up to speed” are overused, and the commentary lacks the depth of games like F1 2019.

The race engineer (voiced by a dry, uninspiring performer) provides tactical advice but often states the obvious, detracting from immersion rather than enhancing it.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: A Balanced but Flawed Experience

Core Gameplay Loop: Racing Without the Grind

GRID’s career mode is its strongest asset, offering a non-linear progression system that avoids the grind of other racing games. Players can choose which events to tackle, skipping those they dislike without being locked out of later content.

However, the economy system is simplistic:
– Money is earned through races and used to purchase cars.
– Teammates take a cut of winnings, adding a management layer but one that feels underdeveloped.
– Car selection is confusing, with minimal stats to differentiate vehicles beyond brand loyalty.

Handling and Physics: Arcade Meets Simulation

GRID strikes a balance between arcade and simulation handling:
– Assists (ABS, traction control, stability control) can be toggled to suit player skill.
– Damage modeling is impressive, with cars showing scratches, crumpled metal, and lost parts.
– Rewind feature allows players to undo mistakes, a staple of modern racing games but one that some purists may dislike.

The wet weather racing is a standout, with realistic puddles, spray, and reduced grip making rain races some of the most challenging and visually stunning in the game.

The Nemesis System: A Double-Edged Sword

The Nemesis System is GRID’s most innovative feature, but it’s not without flaws:
– Pros:
– Adds unpredictability to races.
– Encourages strategic driving (avoiding unnecessary aggression).
– Cons:
– AI can be overly aggressive, leading to frustrating collisions.
– Nemeses sometimes target the player relentlessly, disrupting the flow of races.

Multiplayer: A Missed Opportunity

The multiplayer mode is divided into:
1. Quick Play: Matchmaking-based races with rotating tracks.
2. Custom Events: Private races with adjustable rules.

However, PC players reported difficulty finding matches, and the lack of a persistent online community hurt the game’s longevity.

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World-Building, Art & Sound: A Visual and Auditory Feast

Tracks and Locations: A Global Tour

GRID features a mix of real-world circuits (Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Indianapolis) and street tracks (San Francisco, Shanghai, Barcelona). The fictional Okutama point-to-point track is a highlight, offering a unique challenge.

DLC tracks (Red Bull Ring, Paris, Suzuka) expanded the roster, but the base game’s track count was criticized as too limited compared to competitors like Forza Horizon 4.

Visuals: Stunning but Repetitive

• Car models are meticulously detailed, with realistic damage and livery options.
• Lighting and weather effects are impressive, particularly in night and rain races.
• Crowds and environmental details add immersion but can feel repetitive after extended play.

Sound Design: A Symphony of Engines

The audio team recorded 69 cars, capturing intake, exhaust, and cabin sounds with precision. The result is one of the best-sounding racing games of its generation, with engine notes, tire screeches, and gear shifts creating an immersive auditory experience.

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Reception & Legacy: A Mixed but Respectable Outing

Critical Reception: “Mixed or Average”

GRID (2019) received metascores of 73-79 across platforms, with critics praising its accessibility, Nemesis System, and visuals but criticizing its lack of depth, repetitive commentary, and limited track count.

• IGN (8/10): “Grid is way too lean on tracks but delivers its hyperbolic brand of Hollywood-style racing with style and confidence.”
• Game Informer (7/10): “A retread reboot that lacks the soul of the original.”
• PC Gamer (68/100): “A solid but unremarkable racing game.”

Commercial Performance and Delisting

Despite its mixed reception, GRID found an audience, particularly among fans of the original. However, its online services are set to shut down in December 2025, and the game was delisted from digital storefronts in November 2023, limiting its long-term accessibility.

Influence on the Franchise

GRID (2019) served as a proof of concept for Codemasters’ reboot strategy. Its success (or lack thereof) informed the development of GRID Legends (2022), which expanded on the Nemesis System and introduced a story-driven career mode—something the 2019 reboot lacked.

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Conclusion: A Flawed but Fun Reboot

GRID: Ultimate Edition is a competent but unexceptional racing game. It recaptures some of the magic of the 2008 original with its accessible career mode, impressive visuals, and innovative Nemesis System, but it stumbles in narrative depth, track variety, and multiplayer execution.

Final Verdict:
– For fans of the original GRID: A worthy but imperfect successor.
– For casual racing fans: A fun, accessible experience with plenty of content.
– For sim racers: Too arcade-like to satisfy hardcore enthusiasts.

Score: 7.5/10 – Good, but not great.

GRID: Ultimate Edition is a game that could have been more, but as it stands, it’s a solid entry in the franchise—one that lays the groundwork for future iterations to build upon. If you’re looking for a racing game that balances arcade fun with simulation depth, GRID is worth a spin. Just don’t expect it to dethrone the greats of the genre.