Hot Wheels Unleashed, the high-speed review

Racing games have always carved out a very specific audience. Clearly the Hot Wheels Unleashed review it is designed, like the production, only for a part of this audience: those who prefer the arcade approach, the immediacy, the lightheartedness and a soft learning curve for an accessible but not trivial experience; certainly not the level of simulation or the technicalities of other well-known and important names, such as Gran Turismo, Assetto Corsa, Forza Horizon, and so on.



It is therefore not surprising the approach chosen by Milestone for Hot Wheels Unleashed, decidedly lighter and more welcoming than the other driving games to which the Spanish developer has accustomed us. What intrigued us the most, however, was to find out if Hot Wheels Unleashed has kept the promises made in the past months, offering a fun and adrenaline-pumping experience, which however remained faithful and respectful to the essence of the franchise. The answer, we anticipate, is positive.

Game mode: Hot Wheels City Rumble

Hot Wheels Unleashed, the high-speed review
One of the many toy cars of Hot Wheels Unleashed

Le game mode The main ones of Hot Wheels Unleashed are basically three, all (of course) based on circuit racing: fast race, time attack, finally split screen. These three basic proposals are immediately present on the screen in the main menu, precisely because they are perfect for those who want to play only for a few minutes and finally abandon everything until the next session. It would be trivial to insist on the individual contents: it is obvious that the "fast race" consists in the classic race against artificial intelligence, and that out of twelve cars in the race, one must reach the finish line first (or at least among the first three).



"Attack on time"offers the opportunity to test yourself on specific tracks, to be completed within a certain amount of minutes: here it is important to make the most of your Hot Wheels, as well as the specific conformations of the track itself. Finally, shared screen allows you to play shoulder to shoulder. shoulder in the company of a friend equipped with a second controller (there is also the online mode, do not worry). This offer, made as varied as possible based on the exploitation of different tracks and game environments at least a bit original, represents the main package and more essential than Hot Wheels Unleashed.As a delicious topping is then added an original variant of the career mode called City Rumble.

In Hot Wheels City Rumble you will find yourself in front of a map with many squares, a bit like the "game of the goose", in which you have to advance by winning the individual races along the way. We were talking about variations: it is difficult for you to find the exact same challenge twice in a row; instead there is a good alternation between fast races, time attacks, increasing difficulties and even boss fights (in which the races simply have to be completed respecting certain conditions). Participating in Hot Wheels City Rumble is essential to accumulate gears and coins: with the former, the individual cars in the player's possession are strengthened, because obviously it is a pleasure to make the car you are in love with more performing, perhaps even since you were a child.



Le penniesinstead, they are mandatory for the purchase of the new packs, a sort of surprise boxes that guarantee a new machine of random rarity. Hot Wheels City Rumble keeps busy for a fair number of hours, roughly 8-10: it does its job, although more than one might prefer a slightly less chaotic progression, if necessary at the price of a greater background linearity (which in truth is still present although disguised by trappings, colors and different tracks).

Track Builder and Collectibles

Hot Wheels Unleashed, the high-speed review
Some crazy Hot Wheels Unleashed tracks

Taking up the typical construction element of Hot Wheels tracks, Hot Wheels Unleashed combines racing with a series of customization options of cars and tracks. One of the most successful aspects of Milestone's product is precisely the freedom it offers both with the toy cars and with the tracks: everyone can not only find their favorite car, but also make it different from the starting model using the livery editor. (imagine the potential related to online). The apotheosis of this customization consists in the Track Builder, through which it is possible to design from scratch your own track, all its accessories, and even share it online with players from all over the world (and you can clearly download those already loaded on the server. ).


Initially the editor Track Builder it may appear a bit gaunt, but by spending the right amount of time on it, you realize its potential; the system will certainly be improved in the future, but it is already versatile and functional now. Slopes, curves, obstacles, speed boosters: you can design your own track according to any taste; as well as the surrounding environment, choosing one of those proposed by the game (the tavern, the garage, the university area, the construction site, and so on).


Hot Wheels Unleashed, the high-speed review
Some crazy Hot Wheels Unleashed tracks

Part of these too outdoors, which act as a context and guarantee the right atmosphere for the car races, can in turn be customized. It can therefore happen to buy Hot Wheels Unleashed simply for racing and then get lost in the maze of its rich editors who, we assure you, guarantee just as much satisfaction.

A separate discussion must be made for the collecting. It is true that you could waste several hours before finding "your" Hot Wheels (there are more than sixty of them in the basic version of the game), but it must also be said that collecting coins is not very easy: you must necessarily continue in City Rumble, winning races after races and completing a career. After all, what fun would there be in unlocking gears and coins without being able to spend them to enrich your collection? The cars present range from well-known models to others a little more in the shadows, to which are added a disproportionate number of DLCs and packages for sale in the store (in exchange for real money), especially for some noteworthy brands. In short, you will not find Batman or Barbie's car simply by playing, you will have to buy it. But everything else can be unlocked without spending any more money.

Comment

Tested version PlayStation 5 Digital Delivery Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop Price 49,99 € Resources4Gaming.com

8.0

Readers (2)

7.6

Your vote

Hot Wheels Unleashed is a title clearly aimed at those who appreciate arcade racing games: learning how it works is a matter of seconds, accessibility is total, fun guaranteed. Those looking for a high level of challenge will either have to devote themselves to time trials or simply increase the difficulty level from the game options. But Milestone did not simply think about bringing the models to the track in all their beauty: editor and customization are two aspects that cannot be overlooked, and they guarantee many more hours of play, as well as a certain satisfaction for the final results that will be possible. It is one thing to see a simple Hot Wheels run, another "your own Hot Wheels" customized in livera, rims, color, wheels and enhanced even in the basic characteristics. If we add that there is neither the possibility of building from scratch (and sharing online) one's own track, nor that of playing (even locally, if desired) in the company of friends, we just can't think of serious defects to be attributed to production. A little more care in the graphics, in the objects on the screen, in the variety of the tracks in itself of City Rumble? More toy cars available in the future, maybe not for a fee? An improved balance? Maybe yes, but we have the impression that this Hot Wheels race in the gaming field has just begun.

PRO

  • Lots of cars to collect
  • Customization and sharing of circuits
  • Perfect solo and with friends, online and offline
AGAINST
  • Environments poor in detail
  • A little confusing "story" mode
  • Balance not always perfect
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