Review: GripShift (PS Store) (PS3)
The launch line up for the PlayStation Store features some unlikely choices alongside original titles such as Blast Force. A trio of titles have been press ganged from Sony's PSP library including Tekken: Dark Resurrection and Gripshift. The latter was well received but ultimately overlooked, and now its been given a reprieve to wow the PlayStation 3 generation.
For the modest fee of £4.99 you receive 309MB worth of addictive game play, depending on your point of view. This is because you'll either enjoy the close run races, constant power ups, weaponry and devilish course design or scream in frustration as you slip from 1st to 4th on the home straight. It would be easy to dismiss Gripshift as a juvenile racing title given its presentation, but beneath inoffensive exterior resides an arcade title from yesteryear. Most surprising is that it is not just merely a racing game as the development team have tried to incorporate platform action and puzzles for a unique, if flawed experience.
The races themselves are extremely short and sweet by today's standards and your field of competitors can be counted on one hand. Thankfully the game is not without an impressive array of options with the starting point for the single player game being either the challenge or race modes. The former sets out a series of challenges that you must overcome including time, collecting stars or the hidden icon and then slowly increasing the difficulty as you overcome each hurdle. Ultimately this is the largest and mode varied of the modes on offer. It can be a relief to find yourself on the track without the need to worry about opponents firing missiles or slamming into you, although races do pop up now and again. However the lack of foes does not make it any easier.
The race mode can provide the opportunity for practicing or engaging in single races, where other competitors can be overcome once more. In fact anything you do in this game counts towards something, as the percentage completion meter slowly ticks over. Gamestyle isn't a huge fan of such a device as your enjoyment does not need to be measured in decimal terms, or a cap put on it. In saying that, for your money Gripshift is extremely good value, especially when compared to Blast Force. If you can stomach the game play then even better.
Despite all the goals and completion targets you may reach, the real barometer of success is the Championship Mode. Gripshift is refreshing, as you have to start at the beginner skill level and work your way through each subsequent setting. There is no way around this for those that are used to starting on a medium difficulty setting. Each promotion in difficulty opens up new avenues in other modes, but injects a level of understanding as more unforgiving courses and race opponents are thrown at you. It may try to replicate the visual charm of Mario Kart, but it lacks the focus on skill. Too often races in Gripshift are decided by luck or misfortune, leaving you amazed or furious.
Sidhe Interactive has responded to the criticism levelled at the original title and improved the handling. From the initial set of vehicles, more can be added as you progress, with each varying according to speed, acceleration and handling. No matter what you select, youÂ’ll feel like a first time ice skater, struggling to maintain control and crashing into the barriers. Gamestyle still shakes its head in disbelief at the handling of these machines. At times you throw the car into the corner not knowing what to expect. It will either over steer or under steer and with the lack of rumble you just don't know the outcome. Caution is the best option, avoiding using the boost until powering out of the bend or just on the straights or loops. Yet the lottery feeling persists even when you run through the practice option.
Gamestyle would like to discuss the multi-player option but online matches against three others are hard to come by. One evening we struggled to find an available match, while another we just kept on getting disconnected. When races do commence they are blistering, addictive and action packed. You soon find yourself jumping back in for another go (just one more time) and this is something Gamestyle hasn't experienced since Chu Chu Rocket was first released. Too often online encounters are long, drawn out affairs with the pressure on winning, or at least not coming last. Gripshift offers a more pleasing alternative to the rat race.
With some funky tunes and crisp 720p support and 60fps you have an almost perfectly formed online release. The one hundred and fifty levels (or thereabouts) will keep you going far beyond MotorStorm when its appeal has vacated your PlayStation 3. For less than a fiver that's great value, even if we did not enjoy the actual races themselves.
Rating: 6 / 10
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