What if every lap meant steering, shooting, shifting gears, and reloading — all with a single hand? That’s the brutal, brilliant core of Half Grip, the debut title from Romanian indie studio Half Games. And the verdict is already in: players are hungry for the challenge. As the free demo drops on Steam, the game has smashed past 100,000 wishlists — a milestone most indie releases never reach.
The Hook — Everything, All At Once, With One Hand
Half Grip isn’t just a combat racer. It’s a game about prioritisation under pressure. You control your car entirely as if using one hand — steering, accelerating, braking, changing gear, aiming, firing, and reloading — every action competing for the same limited resource: your attention.
“Steer, shoot and reload — each split-second counts as you compete against armed rivals across atmospheric tracks rendered in harsh pixelated detail.”
It’s not a gimmick — it’s the entire design. Miss a shift while aiming? You fall behind. Focus on the perfect line and your opponents turn you into Swiss cheese. Every decision is a gamble.
Roguelike Racing — No Two Runs Are Alike
Between the starting line and the finish, Half Grip layers deep roguelike progression:
- Over 70 items to collect — weapons, engines, gearboxes, tyres, chassis parts, and passive charms
- Build your style — ram-focused battering rams, magnet-assisted takedowns, mine-laying defenders, or shotgun-wielding glass cannons
- Permanent death — Your build vanishes when you crash. Next run starts fresh with new choices
- Five distinct environments — Stadium, Forest, Winter Mountain, Fire Factory, and Neon Tokyo
- Physics that bite — Tyre choice and surface conditions change grip. Push too hard and you slide off the track
Play the Demo Right Now
The brand-new demo is live on Steam — giving you hands-on access before full release:
| Demo Details | |
|---|---|
| Where | [store.steampowered.com/app/4163270/Half_Grip](https://store.steampowered.com/app/4163270/Half_Grip/) |
| When | Available now — no announced end date |
| Platform | Windows PC |
| Controller Support | Partial — Xbox controllers recommended |
| Wishlist | Click the button while you’re there — help push the count even higher |
From Game Jam to 100K
Half Games, based in Bucharest, Romania, built Half Grip from a Game Maker’s Toolkit jam project into a polished debut — and picked up Best Student / Game Jam Project at the Romanian Game Awards along the way.
Surpassing 100,000 wishlists is a massive milestone for any indie — and it’s a testament to how strongly the one-handed concept has resonated. Full release date is still to be announced, but the momentum is undeniable.
Ready to Grip?
It’s racing stripped back to essentials: skill, focus, and the courage to make the hard call when every second counts.
Play the demo, wishlist the game, and join 100,000 others waiting for launch. One hand on the wheel, one on the trigger — no mercy, no second chances.
More Info: Half Grip
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