GRID 2 is stunning from every conceivable perspective. Technically, it is pure eye candy. Whether you're hurtling through the Pacific Bend or tearing up the streets of Chicago, the game goes out of its way to sell the illusion. This is an engine that has seen a great deal of use throughout this console generation, and it's not getting old, even as the Xbox 360 nears the end of its lifecycle. The interface is very similar to that in other Codemasters racers, which helps establish a sense of brand continuity that is very welcome. Cars look great whether they're speeding down the road, screeching through a drift, or exploding into a shower of metal against an immovable object. The sense of speed is grounded in reality, but there's a weight to the driving that makes it feel nice and dangerous.
GRID 2 sounds about as good as it looks. While I can't vouch for the accuracy of the car sound effects, they sure give the impression of toughness. If you have a good surround sound system, you'll feel some serious power. I love how Codemasters racing games personalize your experience by allowing you to actually find your name (provided it's a reasonably common name) and tell the voices in the game to call you by your actual name. It's silly, but it adds to the immersion. The music mostly stays out of the way, but it falls in line with most other serious modern racers out there.
