Clutch's cinematic racing aims high but handles more like a sim

Developed by former Forza Horizon creatives with substantial funding, Clutch is a cinematic open-world action-driving game set across the French Riviera, with sections in Monaco. It mixes professional series racing and underground street events and leans on high production values.

An hour-long Summer Game Fest presentation emphasized mocap performances, numerous cutscenes, and the sibling protagonists Theo and Cass Martial, who are pulled into the sketchier world of street racing after a deadly R1K crash. The setup pits a push for automation against the freedom to race on the edge, and the demo included spectacle such as a car hooked by a "Clutch Tech" harpoon and swung toward a helicopter.

The narrative is used to stitch together varied activities rather than isolated menu missions: thefts require avoiding security with a dedicated duck button, off-limits zones trigger stealth or chases, and street races feature in-fiction livestreams that reward showmanship as well as speed.

France, French Riviera, Monaco

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