Developer Caged Element has announced GRIP XR, a new sequel to their 2018-released physics-challenging action racing game GRIP.
GRIP XR is in development for Windows PC (via Steam). While a release date wasn’t announced, a playable demo is already available and a Kickstarter is planned to “turb-charge” development on the game.
“We’ve spent years listening to valuable community feedback and have taken it to heart, with GRIP XR being our direct answer to those passionate fans” said Caged Element co-founder Chris Mallinson in a press release. “With GRIP XR we want to create a killer game, sure, but a big goal of ours is to create a community ecosystem where players can create their own content and easily share it. We can’t wait to race and crank our way through their most unhinged levels, and we look forward to give more details we accelerate through development.”
Here’s a rundown on the game, plus its reveal trailer:
GRIP XR is a blazingly fast, physics-defying and action-packed racer, GRIP XR retains the best of the original GRIP, while taking its signature gameplay to an exciting next level and pushing a more retro-inspired aesthetic. Led by the studio’s co-founders Chris Mallinson and Robert Baker – an original developer on the legendary Rollcage series – GRIP XR is the accumulation of a decade of racing game experience driven by community feedback, and well on its way to creating a defining combat racing experience.
Gravity-Defying, High-Speed Battles
GRIP XR takes the high-octane action that GRIP fans know and love, and refines its gameplay for a smoother but still outrageously fast, edge-of-control racing experience. The game prioritizes a high-speed flow state, while also providing plenty of challenge and nostalgia for intense 90’s combat racers.
The exciting new Crank feature is a game-changing mechanic that allows players to roll their car near-instantly to easily traverse onto vertical walls, pull off stunts, dodge incoming projectiles, and execute other maneuvers. Cranking adds a fresh new layer of tactical racing depth and maneuverability that helps give players the winning edge down the combative stretch.
Promising return players the ultimate thrill ride, GRIP XR is packed with a range of community feedback-inspired upgrades, including more consistent and smoother driving, much improved level design, more vibrant visuals and impactful audio. With a soundtrack by Cave Bat, GRIP XR also packs some certified bangin’ tunes to race its rocket-powered cars to – just as GRIP and the Rollcage games did before it.
Maybe the most significant addition in this franchise follow-up is a powerful LEVEL EDITOR, slated to come when the game first launches onto Steam. The level editor gives players the tools to create their own custom races, stunt playgrounds, challenges and other creative endeavours, and is combined with an extensive in-game workshop where players can download and rate levels, or upload their own creations. These features truly allow the community to shape the game and will provide countless extra hours of content exploding with creativity.
Kickstarter
Caged Element are planning on launching a Kickstarter for the project sometime in June, but fans can follow the page to be notified. GRIP XR is already in development, but with the support of Kickstarter backers the team will be able to expand the game’s scope beyond what is now available to play in the newly released demo on Steam. Kickstarter funding will fuel exciting goals which include features like a dynamic Campaign with NPC rivalries, custom tournament creator, more cars and customization, new tracks, and console versions of the game later down the line for some crossplay action.
