Common Sense Media Review
By Paul Semel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Slightly shallow racer still delivers fun track events.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Grid (2019)
What's It About?
Like most real-world racing games, GRID (2019) doesn't have a story, but does have a career mode in which you play a series of race events so you can unlock more events. It also, like similar racing games, has a variety of cars, tracks, and viewpoints that you can use to get an edge on your competition. Similarly, the game includes options that can make the game harder or easier, such as a line on the track that suggests when you should speed up or slow down. Unlike other racing games, Grid also focuses on the possibility of creating and establishing racing rivalries if you happen to collide with AI-controlled drivers. The game has one-off races as well as online competition, all with their own set of options.
Is It Any Good?
While there are deeper pro racing games available, this one still offers a lot for speed freaks to enjoy. In the new Grid (which is not a remake of 2008's Race Driver: Grid, a.k.a. Grid), players engage in a series of multi-lap and point-to-point races on both closed city streets and professional race tracks. As with many racing games these days, this features a good variety of cars, tracks, and viewpoints, as well as the ability to adjust such difficulty-affecting attributes as the car's traction and stability. This also, like other recent racing games, has a rewind function for when you want to correct a mid-race mistake, as well as an optional indicator that suggests when you should hit the gas, let up on it, or hit the brakes.
As for what's new in this year's model, the competition is much fiercer because your computer-controlled opponents get more aggressive towards you if you bump into them too much during a race. Even the different drivers on the track have individually programed A.I. to control their racing styles, moves, and mistakes. While this adds some challenge that may be appreciated by serious race fans, more casual drivers won't like being retaliated against. This further stands out when the game penalizes players if they mistakenly drive off the track or break other rules. Also, while the controls are good, they're slightly less smooth than similar racing games. Similarly, while this has plenty of cars, tracks, and event types, other games have more. All of which is why the 2019 version of Grid isn't in the pole position, but it's still in the race.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about driving safely. In Grid (2019), the drivers always wear helmets and other protective gear, so what does this teach us about the importance of wearing your seatbelt when you're in a car?
In Grid (2019), bumping into your opponent may cause them to become more aggressive towards you, so does this say anything to you about why you should always try to be nice to people, and to keep your cool when they're not being nice to you?
Game Details
- Platforms : Google Stadia , PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Deep Silver/Codemasters
- Release date : October 10, 2019
- Genre : Racing
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate