Review: GRID Legends: Deluxe Edition (Switch 2)
The press kit for GRID Legends: Deluxe Edition goes out of the way to point out the analog trigger capabilities of the Switch 2-compatible GameCube controller. I can confirm that: 1.) this is, indeed, the better way to play, and 2.) if you’re the type of racing gamer who cares about such things, this is definitely the game for you.
Well, provided you’re OK with a little melodrama. GRID Legends has an extensive story with live-action cutscenes. The game begins with various drivers discussing an accident on the track, caused by the shady American. We learn of the struggling Team Seneca and a mysterious rookie driver who just may save the company. It’s all tremendously goofy, but in a way that perfectly fits the game’s arcade action. Better, the actors present the material with a knowing wink; they have some subtle fun with their parts.
The story is smartly woven into the action. Your first “race” requires you to simply finish a few laps with a banged up car. No pressure there, and good, because GRID doesn’t give you much of an explanation on the game’s controls. In the second race, you’re not expected to win. The team just wants to see you do well enough by beating a certain racer. Do so, and you advance. Fail, and time resets for you to try again. It’s clever.
On the track, the call for an analog controller stems from the game’s use of ZL and ZR to accelerate and brake. With the digital controls of the Joy-Con or a Switch 2 Pro Controller, you’ll be doing a lot of tapping to keep at the speed you want. With the analog buttons of the GameCube controller, you can more easily control your pace or the abruptness of your brake. It’s just a better way to race, providing more realistic controls. Note, though, that the game doesn’t really need them; although a far cry from Mario Kart World, the racing here still leans further into arcade than sim.
Gameplay requires you to drive intelligently. The AI drivers may come at different levels, but all are adept at preventing you from speeding past them. And with the tightness of the tracks, your lanes to do so are quite thin. Thankfully, learning to control your car and be patient with it comes quickly. It’s not long before you’re hugging walls without slamming into them. Once you’re fully into the game’s flow, races become consistently rewarding. And if you do continue to struggle, a healthy set of difficulty settings will help you push through.
GRID Legends: Deluxe Edition looks great, too. The tracks/environments are lushly detailed, and the racing action can either run at 60fps in Performance mode or 30fps in Graphics mode while docked. Handheld mode gets an additional Balanced option that retains a good portion of the visual effects at 40fps.
Most impressive of all, however, is the number of racing options available throughout the game. With all of the game’s previous DLC included, you get touring cars, stadium trucks, drift cars, and more. You’ll race street circuits, arenas, and off-road tracks around the world, many of which are based on real-life circuits. In all, there are over 100 cars to drive on well over 100 tracks.
There’s even a freakin’ demolition derby. It’s not the type I used to frequent at the annual county fair, but it’s still fun. And of course, there’s a race creator and Career, Team, and Free Play modes to accompany the featured Story mode.
It all combines to create a solid racing experience that really highlights the capabilities of the Switch 2. The lack of multiplayer will certainly be an issue for many, but there’s still so much to do and learn in GRID Legends that it’s sure to keep racing fans entertained long after the drama is over.
