The Open-World Monaco in ‘Clutch’ Appears Stunning

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      Last week, we got our initial glimpse of Clutch, a forthcoming racing game from a new development team named Maverick Games, which includes some former Forza Horizon developers. Like Horizon, it features a stunning open-world setting—specifically, the south of France, including Monaco—but beyond that, the similarities seem to diminish, as evidenced by the first gameplay footage shared today by the studio.

      This footage wasn't released directly by Maverick; they seemingly provided it to various content creators, who then added their own commentary. Thus, depending on whose video you view, you may come across different scenes. However, it's clear from all the available footage that the game looks remarkable, and the developers' choice to set this open-world driving title specifically around Monaco is, quite simply, brilliant.

      Interestingly, I recently visited Monaco—not for the Formula 1 race, which I would have loved to attend, but for a friend's wedding just outside the principality weeks prior. Experiencing Monaco in person is surreal, something any motorsport fan or racing game enthusiast could relate to, and it was particularly captivating to stroll along the track's perimeter.

      Monaco is presented from two angles: to the left, the view from the mountain behind the principality, near the Trophy of Augustus, and to the right, the iconic Port Hercules seen from outside the Prince’s Palace. – Adam Ismail

      What I find especially exciting about Clutch is that it offers more than just the circuit we've raced digitally countless times. It includes some of the adjacent roads and allows players to veer off the main course into side streets and areas previously inaccessible.

      That sense of exploration is thrilling. I remember playing games like Ridge Racer and imagining where walled-off roads might lead; now, Clutch will let me discover those routes myself. This kind of experience is only achievable in a familiar environment, which is why Maverick's decision to place their game in the French Riviera is especially insightful.

      Throughout the gameplay—which I’ve linked to YouTuber BlackPanthaa’s version above—we witness more tranquil moments, such as driving a BMW 507 through the city while the main character converses with a passenger. The streets appear narrower compared to those in Forza Horizon 6’s Tokyo, with more traffic, which adds to the world’s sense of scale and vibrancy.

      The choice of cars is also impressive—a 986 Porsche Boxster, original Renault Twingo, E39 BMW M5, and more. There are nighttime street races, historical circuit racing during the day, and a sequence where the protagonist attempts to steal a car from a penthouse apartment (featuring actual on-foot gameplay) while evading the police. Spoiler alert: they succeed with the first task but not the second.

      At this early stage, a year before Clutch’s release, it’s difficult to predict if the game will fulfill its promises. However, as someone who has grown weary of Forza Horizon's unchanging, profit-driven formula, Maverick has captured my interest by doing something different than many racing game developers. Clutch boasts a compelling narrative focus, with characters that look impressive and clearly deserve the spotlight. Additionally, it features stunningly detailed car models that seem to outshine those in Forza, and we know there will be extensive customization options. And it has Monaco. That’s enough reason to keep this game on your radar.

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