Codemasters knows how to make a racing game. They know how to find the right balance of realism without going overboard. Grid Autosport was an apology of sorts for the evils of Grid 2 including its intrusive online play system and maps and cars locked up by paid DLC.

It was an attempt at a full court press money grab at all costs. It hurt the series. This game, howeer, made up for much of it. While the Multiplayer action is all but gone now you can still get online and race with your friends just don't look for many populated public lobbies anymore. This game is old now. Old, but still charming, still playable and still every bit a Grid game.

If choosing between Grid 2 and Grid Autosport as a worthy successor to Race Driver: Grid or you just want something a little different than the rally racing bend Codemasters has been on lately then choose Grid Autosport. But be warned. When this game was developed it was with a lot of input from the community which means overly aggressive AI in single and even multiplayer races ( yes the game will fill in empty slots wit AI racers in MP) So make ssure you can give as good as you get. Think of it as a training ground for when you actually do find someone online to play it with and they constantely torpedo you in curves or do a pit manuever on you in the last lap. AI opponents seem to have nitrous at times leaving you wondering how the same car can be pulling ahead of you with the same specs. That's just the AI keeping things interesting.

There is car setup and tuning but not in a cartoonish GTAV kind of way but rather the more race geek way where you worry about soft or hard suspensions, ride height, etc. Also new to this game is the includion os a Drag Racing series which takes some effort to figure out but is ultimately more realistic than Need For Speed Pro-Street's take on it.

I recently started playing the game again and I recognized some of the map assets from earlier games as well as a few new ones. The game still looks good for being 5 years old and should play on just about any PC made during that time. I hear that an Android version is coming out soon. I dunno, something gets lost with a racintg game like this being played on a phone. Part of the reason you play a Grid game is the gorgeous textures and settings. It's not a Forza clone so don't treat it like one.