Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged builds upon the success of its predecessor, delivering an even more exhilarating arcade racing experience. The game’s visual design is a true standout, managing to strike a balance between realism and the whimsical world of toy cars. Every vehicle, from the iconic Hot Wheels originals to licensed crossovers like the Back to the Future Delorean, shines with a level of detail that captures the imagination. The reflections are crisp, the colors pop, and the sense of tactility is palpable, making the cars feel straight out of the box. Does it do enough to differentiate itself from the excellent first game though? We played the PS5 version to find out.
In the Creature Rampage story mode of Hot Wheels Unleashed 2, the game introduces a light-hearted narrative, tailored primarily for a younger audience. But while the story elements serve their purpose, the true magic of the game lies in its imaginative tracks and diverse selection of vehicles. Races take place in vivid environments like arcades, gas stations, and even a dinosaur museum, each providing a unique backdrop for adrenaline-pumping races that even make it fun for onlookers to check out the backdrops while you race.
The use of jumps and lateral dashes isn’t new, but adds an extra layer of excitement to the races. Jumps, in particular, offer thrilling moments, whether it’s soaring through a flaming hoop or strategically accessing shortcuts – many of which are well hidden and require some experimenting. The lateral dash allows players to bash opponents off the track or gain an edge in tight spots by creating some room for yourself. This enhances the competitiveness of the races and creates moments of pure excitement when things are very close between competitors.
While the upgrade system offers a deeper level of customization for vehicles, not every player may find the need to extensively upgrade their cars. With such a wide range of vehicles available, some may choose to stick with their favorites without heavy modifications once they find one they like. The shift from loot boxes to a shop for vehicle acquisition is a welcome change, providing a more straightforward and player-friendly approach – though players can still expect plenty of post-launch cars as well.
Cross-play is a positive addition to the sequel, although it’s worth noting that it doesn’t extend to Nintendo Switch players. Hot Wheels Unleashed also features an expansive track and livery editor, and although we’re not creative enough to play around with them a lot they promise a wealth of creative potential and free content coming from the community post-launch. These features, combined with the engaging core gameplay, offer a well-rounded experience for players who enjoy both racing and creative expression.
In conclusion, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is a visually stunning arcade racing game that builds upon the success of its predecessor. With a diverse selection of vehicles and imaginative tracks, it captures the essence of the Hot Wheels universe. The introduction of new gameplay mechanics adds a subtle amount of excitement to the races, and the upgrade and track creation systems offers tons of customization options. The shift from loot boxes to a shop for vehicle acquisition is a player-friendly improvement that takes some of the ‘random’ elements out of getting new cars to play with, which is an improvement. Although this sequel doesn’t stray far from the original, its polish pays off, making this one a standout choice for fans of arcade racing.
Score: 8.0/10
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