Clutch, Maverick Games' new racer, seeks to outdo Forza Horizon

Maverick Games, led by Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown, has revealed Clutch, a story-focused open-world racing game from a team of ex-Forza Horizon developers. The game centers on a pair of sibling racers and appears to be set on the French Riviera, mixing licensed cars and a glamorous tourist location with both official series and illicit street racing.

Clutch weaves a crime story into its racing, with the protagonist reportedly ‘‘getting in some trouble’’ that leads to automotive heists and police pursuits. Players can equip James Bond–style gadgets, including a grappling cable shown in the reveal trailer that lets a car slingshot around a lamppost.

The leads also get involved in a century-old motorsport series called the R1K and a street group called the Midnight Collective. The game emphasizes realistic car models that show age and wear, and it expands customization to interiors as well as exteriors.

France, French Riviera

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