The short answer is no, GRID Legends does not have an open world free roam mode. Codemasters‘ latest racer focuses on closed circuit, pack racing across a variety of disciplines.
For gearheads seeking expansive environments to freely drive through, games like Forza Horizon and Need for Speed are better options. GRID Legends is all about intense competition within the confines of meticulously crafted tracks.
But that doesn‘t mean there isn‘t plenty to explore within the game. With over 130 routes and 250 career events spanning multiple motorsports, you‘ll experience thrilling variety as you battle your way from rookie to legend status.
GRID Legends Game Modes – Plenty of Racing Without Free Roam
The core single player experience is the career mode with over 250 races to compete in across various categories:
| Race Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Touring Cars | Typical door-to-door racing with vehicles like BMW M4, Honda NSX |
| Tuner | Focused on customized imports like Nissan Skyline GT-R, Mitsubishi Lancer |
| Electric | Next gen EV racing with Tesla Model S, NIO EP9 |
| Drift | Points-based sliding challenges |
| Eliminator | Head-to-head battles where losing cars get eliminated each lap |
| Endurance | Multi-hour team races testing consistency and reliability |
| Demolition Derby | Destructive battle where last car moving wins |
With each race type requiring different driving skills and strategies, you‘ll be challenged to master all facets of racing. Demolition derbies especially stand out for embracing vehicular destruction with crunching crashes.
The fictional "Driven to Glory" story mode provides context via live action cinematics between the racing. Think of it like the racing equivalent of the Star Wars series The Mandalorian.
Beyond career, hop into multiplayer to test your mettle against real world competitors. Or build your dream track using the intuitive Race Creator tool.
Over 100 Vehicles But Limited Customization
There are over 100 cars from manufacturers like Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, and more. From classics like the Shelby Cobra 427 to modern beasts like the Koenigsegg Jesko, find your perfect ride.
Compared to previous GRID titles, car customization is unfortunately stripped back significantly. You can apply different paint schemes and liveries, but components like engines, gearboxes and suspensions cannot be tuned or swapped.
Don‘t expect Forza-levels of cosmetic and performance upgrades here. Codemasters aimed for accessible plug-and-play racing. On the plus side, it means no microtransactions for loot boxes or credits to simplify the experience.
Real World Circuits Meet Fictional Street Courses
In total there are 130+ track routes across 22 locations. Many are based on iconic real world circuits like Brands Hatch, Indianapolis, Spa-Francorchamps, Bathurst, and Suzuka.
You‘ll also race through fictional street courses set in global cities like London, Moscow, Los Angeles, Dubai and more. Codemasters meticulously modeled urban environments with details like signs, barriers and buildings.
These city tracks stand out for enabling door-to-door racing not possible on traditional circuits. Plus copious jumps that let you catch sweet air!
Scalable Difficulty for Casual and Hardcore Racers
With six difficulty levels plus customizable assist settings, GRID Legends can provide an appropriate challenge whether you‘re a novice or pro.
Reviewers recommend even experienced players start on easy, as the higher settings result in extremely competitive AI. The ‘Legend‘ mode is aptly named – the most miniscule mistakes will send you to the back of the pack.
For those seeking maximum realism, try disabling all driving assists like traction control and ABS. This allows you to fully experience the intricately modeled vehicle dynamics.
The AI opponents will push you to master advanced techniques like trail braking, managing oversteer, and picking ideal racing lines to shave off hundredths of a second per lap.
Immersive Story Mode with Live Action Cutscenes
Previous GRID games focused purely on racing. With Legends, Codemasters incorporated a narrative storyline dubbed "Driven to Glory" centered around fictional driver Valentin Manzi.
The cutscenes feature live actors like Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education) mixed with CGI backgrounds for an immersive dramatization effect. Think of it like Top Gear meets Days of Thunder!
The cheesy melodrama won‘t appeal to serious racing purists. But it provides context to your career progression and introduces characters that motivate you to succeed.
The Verdict: Pack Racing Thrills Without Open World Exploration
GRID Legends deserves praise for delivering intense circuit and street racing, even without an open world environment. The diversity of events ensures you experience different flavors of racing across multiple disciplines.
For gearheads who want free roaming exploration, a game like Forza Horizon 5 is a better fit. But if your need for speed is all about battling wheel-to-wheel against aggressive opponents, GRID Legends delivers action-packed excitement.
With scalable difficulty, it welcomes both casual and hardcore players to experience the thrilling competition across fictional and real world circuits. The incorporation of story via live actors is hit-or-miss, but adds character to the career progression.
In the end, GRID Legends succeeds as a well-rounded racer with plenty of different modes and challenges. Its focused racing spirit provides intense action without the potential bloat of a massive open world. So strap in and get ready for adrenaline-pumping competition against ruthless rivals!
