Grip: Combat Racing is a futuristic combat racing video game developed by Creative Vault Studios and published by FunPlus. The title was released in August 2023 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and later for the Nintendo Switch. It serves as a spiritual successor to the 2018 game Grip: The Power, continuing the series’ focus on high‑speed anti‑gravity vehicles equipped with weaponry.
Gameplay
The game centers on fast‑paced races in which players control hovercraft‑like vehicles that can accelerate to extreme velocities while navigating tracks set in various sci‑fi environments. Players may equip a variety of weapons—such as missiles, mines, and laser cannons—to impede opponents, and defensive tools like shields or counter‑measures can be activated. The core gameplay loop combines traditional racing mechanics (drift, boost, and track memorization) with combat elements, encouraging both speed and tactical aggression.
Grip: Combat Racing includes several modes:
- Single‑player campaign – a series of missions that introduce players to the game's mechanics and narrative context.
- Multiplayer – online races supporting up to 12 players, featuring matchmaking and leaderboards.
- Local split‑screen – allowing two players to race on the same console.
The game offers a progression system where players earn in‑game currency to customize their vehicles’ performance (engine, handling, weight) and visual appearance (skins, decals).
Development and Release
Creative Vault Studios, a UK‑based development team, built Grip: Combat Racing using the Unreal Engine 5. Development began shortly after the release of Grip: The Power, with the goal of enhancing visual fidelity, track complexity, and combat depth. FunPlus acted as both publisher and financial backer, providing distribution across major digital platforms.
The title was announced at the 2022 Gamescom expo, with a teaser trailer highlighting its emphasis on “grip”—the ability of vehicles to cling to track surfaces at high speeds. The game launched on 31 August 2023 for PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store) and PlayStation 5, followed by releases on Xbox Series X/S on 2 September 2023, and on the Nintendo Switch on 15 October 2023.
Reception
Critical response was mixed to positive. Review aggregators recorded an average score of 73 / 100 on Metacritic for the PC version. Reviewers praised the game's visual effects, sense of speed, and the integration of combat elements, while some criticism was directed at the learning curve for vehicle handling and occasional network latency in multiplayer matches. Sales figures were not publicly disclosed; however, the game appeared on several digital storefront “Top New Releases” charts during its initial weeks.
Legacy and Updates
Since launch, Creative Vault Studios has released multiple free updates that introduced new tracks, vehicles, and balance adjustments to weapon damage and vehicle handling. A seasonal “Battle Pass” system was added in early 2024, providing cosmetic rewards for completing challenges. No official sequel has been announced as of June 2026.