Title: Burnout Paradise Remastered
Type of Game: Arcade Racing
Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Released: March 16, 2018
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Level of Maturity: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
Reading Time: 7 minutes

Long before the Forza Horizon franchise came along and stole the title of the best arcade racing under the sun, the Burnout brand held that position, along with rival and legendary FlatOut. Burnout Paradise came out sixteen years ago, but many gamers still consider it an unrivaled affair in many ways. It’s all about the sense of speed, the level of mayhem, and the ultimate handling of cars that don’t need an official license to be scrapped ideally. All three of these essential things are 100% preserved in the remaster. All the vehicles handle precisely the same things they did years ago. The physics of crashing and the uncontrollable, very satisfying feeling for the viewer of hurtling down the road with a tail of sparks in your back and being in complete control have also been retained.

The Visual Revamp: A Subtle Transformation

The only thing that has undergone a remastering process is the graphics. The difference is noticeable when you put the old PlayStation 3 version alongside the newer PlayStation 4 version. The textures are much more detailed, especially in the roads and landscapes around you. Not that it’s a difference like night and day, but it counts. Often, it even achieves the desired effect with remasters that the game “looks” like your memories, and thus, you’re subconsciously disappointed because you think they’ve shoved an essentially unchanged title in front of you.

But once you confront your memory with the 16-year-old original, you never want to return to it. Of course, 60fps is retained, and the resolution of text and informational images is increased. We reviewed the game on a PlayStation 4 with a smaller TV, and the difference between the original and the remastered Burnout (running at 720p) was huge.

Preserving the Core: Unchanged for Good Reason

However, the visual upgrade could only go so far that it didn’t ruin the gameplay experience. Of course, as part of the rework, the authors could afford to completely change some parts of the map and tweak the design of the cars or improve the resolution of the civilian traffic that’s meant to get in your way. Thankfully, this isn’t the case, as doing so would have ruined what makes Burnout Burnout.

In this game, everything is subordinate to maximum speed, but you have maximum control over it. However, it may seem like something other than it to the casual passerby. A change in, for example, the lighting conditions or the colors of specific locations would cause the game not to work either. Logically, this raises the question of whether there is any point in remastering such a game when virtually nothing can be changed. Fortunately, it does make sense. And for two reasons. Both are so compelling that you must invest in the game if you’ve played it for the past sixteen years.

Online Mode: Reviving a World of Challenges

The first reason is the online mode. This is seamlessly tied to the single-player skirmishes, and you switch into it with the press of two buttons. Suddenly, a new world opens before you, where you rarely race from A to B. 500 challenges will have you jumping over others on a bridge. Doing 50 drifts around a fountain. Smash 20 billboards around the city. And finally, you’ll get to race now and then. The problem with the old console version was the number of players. Sixteen years later, you occasionally ran into a lone player, but the experience was just half the experience when the lobby was half full.

All the Extras: The Complete Package

The second reason is all the bonus additions that came out as part of “Year of Paradise” twelve months after the original game’s release. That means new cars, new bikes, and new achievements/trophies and challenges associated with them. None of these are significant, including the biggest, Big Surf Island, which adds a new and not-so-small section of the map. However, if you’ve looked forward to them in the past and always justified their no/buy by saying you wouldn’t have anyone to try them with anyway, now you get them in a complete package. You can see why neither reason is compelling enough to make you consider buying them.

The Timeless Magic of Burnout Paradise

But the essence of the whole Burnout Paradise magic is somewhere a little different. It’s primarily that “those” games don’t come out anymore. Even Forza Horizon, which is ideologically closest to it, can’t match the adrenaline rush of a race where everything falls into place, from the choice of car to the opponents to the great soundtrack on the radio. By the way, no song from the original setlist is missing in the remastered version, for which the authors deserve a big thanks.

Although this is indeed a reworked version, in which everything is 1:1 and not even things that we take for granted today have been “fixed” (for example, there is no fast travel, and absolutely all races end in one of the eight locations on the map), Burnout Paradise has something to say to the world even in 2024, especially to those of you who have not enjoyed it so far and are just in the mood to drive at high speed with a high percentage of twisted bodies. Just don’t expect miracles from it. After all, it’s getting on in years.

Conclusion

Games like this just aren’t made anymore, plain and simple. Burnout Paradise Remastered is a sad reminder of the good old days of racing games, but it proves that its design was so timeless that it can still work brilliantly sixteen years later. However, there’s nothing extra to be found here compared to the original version.

Where to Buy Burnout Paradise Remastered

PlayStation Store (PS4): Available for $19.99. You can purchase it directly from the PlayStation Store.
Xbox Store (Xbox One): Available for $19.99. Check it out on the Xbox Store.
Steam (PC): Available for $19.99. You can purchase it directly from Steam.
Epic Games Store (PC): Available for $19.99. Purchase it from the Epic Games Store.
Nintendo Shop (Switch): Available for $29.99. Purchase it from the Nintendo Shop.

For more content like this, stay tuned on our website!

The post Burnout Paradise Remastered – Olschool Destruction Races appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Ten years since the release of the wild destruction races, we get the announcement of Wreckfest 2. The sequel promises an unrivaled damage model and a lot of game modes. Fans of destruction on wheels will enjoy the closed tracks where the rules of the road don’t apply. You can push, demolish, and blast your opponents, but you have to be careful not to damage your car too much.

Next-Level Destruction Dynamics

At THQ’s press presentation, they revealed that in addition to the damage simulation, the audio side has also moved on. The sound should be on a whole new level and you should even be able to tell by the sound what and where in the car is clicking or squeaking, banging, and where things could potentially have problems or damaged parts.

You can also use the rumored detailed editor. Of course, not only are there different colors and liveries, but the car can be “enhanced” with various other effects like rust and mud. We don’t know the release date of Wreckfest 2 yet, all we know is that it will be released on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. In the meantime, you can check out the link to my earlier review of the first installment of this great game, and possibly buy and play it, which I highly recommend.

The post Wreckfest 2 Finally Revealed – Bugbear’s second Symphony of Destruction is coming after 10 years appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: The Crew 2
Type of Game: Arcade Racing
Developer: Ivory Tower
Publisher: Ubisoft
Released: June 29, 2018
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Level of Maturity: T (Teen)
Reading Time: 8 minutes

While the first installment in the 2015 racing series The Crew aimed to be a racing MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game), the second installment, three years later, expands the possibilities of the huge world to include boats, planes, and a variety of disciplines. Once again, we’re driving around a smaller version of the United States, but all the big cities and most famous landmarks are on display, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Mount Rushmore monument with presidents carved into the rock. Although the developers haven’t admitted it, The Crew 2 is essentially a reboot of the original game.

And while everything didn’t turn out perfectly, it’s better in every way. While I wasn’t able to get into the first game, I played roughly forty hours in the second game for the platinum trophy, and I didn’t even use half of the game’s content. The game struck me from the start as somewhat related to the top-tier Forza Horizon series. Both games share an open game world and freedom, but here it’s a cheaper and lighter version. Forza Horizon can be described as a simcade, and as a result, strikes me as more of a “celebration of motoring” than the proclaimed tagline of The Crew 2.

Arcade Bliss: Playfulness at its Core

The Crew 2, on the other hand, is an arcade to the core, with not only a number of disciplines but also plenty of challenges such as slalom, escape, and traversing a speed trap at top speed, as well as my very favorite drifts, which I simply fell in love with. You can then instantly see how you are doing compared to players from all over the world. The Crew 2 is more playful in this regard, whether it’s just for fun randomly around the map or in the various ranked activities. Another strong point is the powerful photo mode, where you can view and edit the last few minutes. There are really a lot of options, from changing weather, time, and filters to exposure, transport, and more.

Diverse Disciplines and Endless Customization

All the activities in the game are hidden into four main Hubs: Street Racing, Offroad, Freestyle, and Pro Racing. There’s classic street racing, motocross, rallying, aerobatics, boat racing, formula racing, and monster trucks. Of course, not everything is accessible at the start; you unlock new disciplines and additional challenges as you play. The game’s storyline is quite modest and it’s all about you as a driver who gradually becomes a star, this aspect of the game is spiced up by gaining followers on social media. Not to worry though, it’s a completely traditional experience points, just named differently.

Followers are gained not only after completing a race, but also when performing various tricks, jumps, and other stunts while moving freely in the game world. Once you reach the Icon level, the entire game opens up before you, including advanced car customization options such as traction, ABS, brake balancing… if anyone was looking for something like that here. As far as car brands go, there really are a lot of options to choose from, and along with a decent engine and car sound system overall, there’s not too much to complain about.

A Jack of All Trades: The Game’s Strength and Weakness

Ironically, the broad scope of the game can also be seen as a barrier. While there are motorbikes and aerobatics in planes, if you’re only interested in street racing, for example, The Crew 2 isn’t for you. There’s a bit of everything in the game, but the discipline in question doesn’t logically stand in for a full game in that category. Of course, not all of the disciplines suited me 100% either, but I enjoyed most of them, so the progression through the game was smooth. So nothing will happen if you ignore two or three disciplines completely. I mostly enjoy the aforementioned drifting discipline or the regular bike races and off-road in the vast countryside, which includes adrenaline rushes through checkpoints, racing on and off the motocross track, and, relatively speaking, rallying.

Immersive Exploration: A Seamless Open World

Omitting the opening long loading (played on PS4), in free mode you can drive across the entire United States without a loading screen. Meanwhile, you can zoom in and out of the entire map smoothly, Google Maps style, which looks incredibly cool. The smaller villages and countryside look great, the cities feel a bit sterile and bland at times, but it’s enough for adrenaline rushes. The map also comes in handy when completing photo challenges. If you’re in the location of a landmark, near an animal or other points of interest, the game will offer you the chance to complete a challenge. Simply switch to photo mode, meet the conditions (for example, jump on a motorbike with a view of the moon), and press the camera shutter.

Smart Navigation and Customization

However, you can complete challenges in a targeted manner, which is what the great map is for. By the way, you don’t just have to find activities on the map. You can easily view all of them together through bookmarks directly from the menu and launch them right away. Or rather, the game will take you from the menu to the start of the event. You can then admire and, more importantly, modify your car fleet from your headquarters in Miami. Completing activities earns you random pieces of equipment, which you use to gradually upgrade your car fleet. For cars, this includes top speed, engine power, braking distance, etc. The new parts are triple quality. The moment you have sufficiently upgraded your car, you can start performing activities at a higher difficulty.

Growing Prestige: From Beginner to Icon

When you reach the Icon level, you also gain points to invest in various areas, such as replenishing your nitro faster or increasing your chances of getting better gear. The in-game economy is set up quite reasonably. While there is dual currency, it’s optional as with Forza Horizon 3, the game certainly didn’t push me into anything. I would also have welcomed more types of AI opponent behavior, which is currently set up in such a way that in normal races your opponents are constantly on your back and it’s relatively difficult to outrun them in the lower car classes. This wasn’t a problem in the supersport though. My last small complaint concerns inconsistent collisions: for some objects, the game is benevolent, for others, it stops you almost immediately. This mainly concerns cities, in the countryside I find the physics set up well.

Verdict: An Entertaining Mixed Bag

The Crew 2 is an arcade game to the very depths of the soul, allowing you to have pure fun in the open world in a lot of disciplines. While it presents itself as an online game, I enjoyed it solo with the occasional live player I met in the open world. There was certainly no compulsion for me to play co-op. It’s not a perfect game, but it has its charms. And despite my general distaste for Ubisoft titles, I had a lot of fun, and the game especially with its variety of content and freedom on a large and nicely crafted map won me over.

Where to Buy The Crew 2

Steam (PC): The standard edition is available for $49.99, as well as the special edition, priced at $59.99.
STEAM SPECIAL PROMOTION!: Buy The Crew 2 Special Edition 80% off for 11,99€ offer ends 4 August
Xbox Store (Xbox One): The standard edition is available for $49.99, as well as the special edition, priced at $59.99.
PlayStation Store (PS4): The standard edition is available for $49.99, as well as the special edition, priced at $59.99.
Epic Games Store (PC): Special edition available for $59.99. Purchase it from the Epic Games Store.

Official Page: Visit the official The Crew 2 page for more information.
Subreddit: Join the discussion on the The Crew 2 Subreddit.

The post The Crew 2 Multi-Discipline Motorsport Across The United States appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: Need for Speed: Heat
Type of Game: Arcade Racing
Developer: Ghost Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Released: November 8, 2019
Platforms Available: PlayStation, Xbox, Pc Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Level of Maturity: T for Teen
Reading Time: Approx. 9 minutes

Reviving the Series with a New Twist

Nothing special has ever been expected from a new Need for Speed game in recent years. Heat, however, is a surprisingly interesting title that unfortunately suffers from the same old problems. The Need for Speed brand has not been in good shape in recent years. Not even a controversially received reboot in 2015, which saw the return of tuning and street racing, could save the series. Two years later, the bad situation was exacerbated by the microtransaction-filled if otherwise quite acceptable Payback. No wonder no one was jumping in the air with joy after the announcement of Heat. Moreover, the previews before the release didn’t look very convincing. However, the result is not bad at all. But there are a number of big “BUTs”.

A Nod to the Franchise’s Legacy

In 2019 franchise celebrated 25 years since the release of the first installment when NFS: Heat was released. Forget about returning to the brand’s roots for this addition, though. The developers at Ghost Games are continuing in the same vein, once again targeting fans of Underground, Most Wanted and Carbon in particular. The main role is played by tuning, street racing, and chases with the police.

Tuning and Upgrades: A Double-Edged Sword

The upgrade options for individual cars are again robust and are undoubtedly one of the game’s plus points. In addition to the visual modifications, there is no shortage of performance ones, which were ruined by the lootbox system in the aforementioned Payback, for which EA deservedly received criticism. Thankfully, there are no lootboxes in Heat, so you won’t feel like you’re playing a free-to-play title anymore.

As for cars, the game offers a total of 127 models and 33 different brands, which is a decent shift from Payback, which “only” had 74 different cars. For example, a large group of Ferrari cars returns after some time. With these cars, Need for Speed Heat takes you to the fictional city of Palm City, which is inspired by Miami. To my disappointment, the developers have failed to bring the vibrancy and diversity of the big city into the game here. Traffic on the roads is sparse and the city as a whole feels very generic. In this respect, NFS has missed the time and the developers need to do something about this problem in the future.

The Visual Dichotomy: Day vs. Night

So the environment doesn’t look amazing, but at least it can be destroyed decently. The destruction of the landscape is significantly more extensive than before. The car easily destroys smaller trees, street lighting, fences, or other similar objects. A close-up view of falling palm trees to the ground might make you think it doesn’t look pretty, but in the frantic pace of racing, the destructibility of the environment is justified.

You’ll suffer most from the dead environment during the day. That’s also when the graphics don’t excel. The developers were obviously aware of this, so they tried to cover up the weaker textures and details with almost permanent rain outside. However, the potential of the Frostbite engine only really comes into its own at night, when the combination of lighting, raindrops, glare, and neon creates a nice atmospheric mix that’s very pretty to look at. The optimization deserves better care. This is because more tense scenes sometimes result in more pronounced frame drops and occasional game crashes.

Dynamic Day-Night Cycle

The method of alternating day and night also plays an important role and is one of the main innovations of Heat. While during the day you’re racing legally on fixed tracks (but still on regular roads), at night you become an illegal street racer, driving through the streets of the city and its surrounding area in full traffic. What’s great is that you can easily switch the time of day almost any time you want as well. The game doesn’t push you into doing one type of race or another unnecessarily, which again is a nice change from earlier installments.

High-Stakes Police Pursuits

As always, the police play a very important role. During the day, you can run at the speed of sound around town and the police don’t care. At night, however, they’re after you whether you’re currently breaking the rules or not. The game’s economy is built on the regular alternation of day and night races. During the day, you win money with which you buy new cars and visual or performance upgrades.

At night, on the other hand, you collect respect points, which unlock cars and upgrades and allow you to progress through the story. After winning a regular day race, the money is added to your account and you never lose it again. At night, however, it’s not enough to finish first. Since fast travel is limited at this time, you also have to get rid of the police, who often join the race as well. If caught, you lose most of the earned respect points, which adds a certain sense of tension to the game.

Versatile Racing Experiences

In addition to the fun on closed tracks or between designated points, there are also the traditional drifts and rough off-road racing known as Payback. However, you’d be hard-pressed to find sprints. For different types of racing, it’s a good idea to play around with the car setup. Drivability or drifting can be largely adjusted simply by playing the game or buying the right parts from the garage.

The absolutely awful performance upgrade method from the last game has thankfully been abandoned by the developers. On the other hand, you have to expect a weak story with characters again. As expected, it revolves around the duel between racers and police officers. It’s a kind of classic filler between races, from which you’d better not expect anything. For the first time ever, you can choose and subsequently customize your own character. In a racing game, however, it’s understandably not a big deal.

The AI Conundrum

I would have much rather welcomed the better intelligence of the other racers. They, unlike the police, look quite foolish and sometimes illogically slow down or speed up. Their variability isn’t helped by a mere three difficulty levels. Need for Speed loses in this aspect too. I would also have welcomed a more varied soundtrack, the composition of which seems to me to be quite similar to the last few episodes without major changes. On the other hand, traditionally the soundscape is saved from my point of view by very solid car sounds.

Multiplayer and Final Thoughts

Traditionally, Need for Speed doesn’t lack an online part either. In multiplayer, there can be up to sixteen drivers on the map. Unless you have a group of friends to ride the world with together, there’s not much point in going into multiplayer without them. You can also play completely offline. Need for Speed Heat doesn’t bring any revolution. Only two years after the previous Playback, it wasn’t even to be expected. However, despite the limited time, the developers have managed to fix a few major issues that dragged the previous games down.

Final Drive

NFS is still a fun arcade game years later, with detailed tuning, aggressive police, and a fun driving model. Plus, unlike the last few installments, it doesn’t annoy you with unnecessary stuff and provides surprising freedom. However, the developers have fallen asleep on the spot in some areas, which is especially evident when looking at the world and story treatment.

Where To Buy Need For Speed: Heat

Steam (PC): Delux edition available for $69.99. You can purchase it directly from Steam.
Xbox Store (Xbox One): Available for $59.99. Check it out on the Xbox Store.
PlayStation Store (PS5): Available for $59.99. You can find it on the PlayStation Store.
Epic Games Store (PC): Delux Edition available for $69.99. Purchase it from the Epic Games Store.

Official Page: Visit the official Need for Speed: Heat page for more information.
Subreddit: Join the discussion on the Need for Speed Subreddit.

The post Need for Speed: Heat – Chases In The Heat Of The Night appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: Asphalt Legends Unite (formerly Asphalt 9: Legends)
Type of Game: Racing
Developer: Gameloft
Publisher: Gameloft
Released: February 26, 2018
Platforms Available: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, Android
Platform Reviewed: PC
Level of Maturity: Everyone 10+
Reading Time: 6 minutes

Arcade Racing Reborn

The era of frantic arcade racing is almost gone by now. Games like Forza Horizon and The Crew Motorfest may have taken the lead in this gaming area. Still, as gamers, we miss the days of sliding our Ferrari F50 around corners at just the right angles, with a first or second-generation Sony console sitting on the shelf next to the TV, pumping blood through our veins under insane pressure, providing the perfect atmosphere. Asphalt Legends Unite, which came out a week or so ago on PlayStation 5, would be criminal to compare to classics of decades past, such as 2006’s OutRun, which I experienced (though certainly not at the original time of release per se). Still, it’s probably the closest comparison I could find to the PS5 of today.

Free-to-Play Frenzy: The Microtransaction Minefield

The first major thing I’d start with is one big and hard-to-overlook negative (unsurprisingly): this is a free-to-play game, so there are loot boxes, card packs, microtransactions, and more at every turn. New cars are unlocked by collecting cards and earning duplicates to increase their stats, like Disney Speedstorm. You’re also limited by the petrol tank, which does regenerate over time. Still, you want to play for a long time. In that case, you need to have more cars because you can’t use the same one over and over, which, of course, also tempts you to pay for some of it from your actual wallet with bonus currency to refill that all-important petrol immediately if you don’t want to wait.

Gameplay That Defies Gravity

Now, on the other hand, for what you will surely enjoy. On the other hand, the gameplay is outstanding, at least by the standards of pure, unadulterated arcades. Tracks like San Francisco and the Himalayas are (in a good way) ridiculously oversaturated, with one race having you sprinting down a mountain. At the same time, hot air balloons fly above you. It captures that beloved nostalgia of “old school” titles. It’s not over the top, but the game won’t leave you sitting comfortably in your chair. Despite including real cars, the game defies physics quite a bit. Double-tapping the handbrake button will allow your car to rotate 360 degrees. You can pair this with a ramp, effectively spinning you in the air before landing. These tricks, including the classic drift, complement the vital turbo that often decides who gets to the finish line first. Tapping the button for a more robust version of the extra power at the right time for “Perfect Nitro” will also add extra speed.

Tracks That Keep You Coming Back

As for the tracks above, while there aren’t many of them, they still manage to keep you entertained over and over again due to the absurd scenes that keep happening and the intense pace of the game. The car upgrade system is traditionally straightforward but adequate for a mobile game. You need to use the car often and gradually grind it out. The career, which is probably the most comprehensive part of the game, is in the spirit of constantly unlocking more and more repetitive race combinations, which are searched in about 10 identical locations. However, this is compensated by the pace mentioned above and the races’ intensity. Again, there’s quite a variety of tricks you’ll be performing across the races on your opponents. The repetitiveness will slap you in the face, but you’ll go through all the amazing action with hardly any real feeling.

Sonic Bliss which Steals the Show

Before the actual verdict, I’d like to mention Asphalt Legends Unite’s soundtrack, which is simply perfect and atmospheric and will suck you into an already frantic pace. Every song in the game is well-chosen and fits the game perfectly. We’re certainly not a fan of music from recent years, but here the music simply suited my taste. Rock, pop, and rap are the most represented here. No one genre overpowers another here; everything is balanced, specifically rap, which I generally don’t like. It was also excellent here, and I enjoyed it. No vulgarisms or anything like that. Just and only decent music. The music has become my favorite aspect of the game, which still keeps me glued to the monitor despite the overall traditional, straightforward mobile game concept, which I’m not used to as a regular PlayStation gamer. It’s a shame that the latest titles in the Need for Speed series don’t have this kind of music. The game world would be a more beautiful place right away.

The Final Lap

The monetization may put off a lot of gamers. Still, the free-to-play format means anyone can jump in and enjoy the sheer absurdity of some tracks and cars. It’s a very action-packed, intense, and utterly absurd gameplay experience with phenomenal music that’s designed to be played in relatively short bursts, so if you’re craving something silly, simple, and utterly over-the-top to play after a grueling day at work, there aren’t many better options on the PS5. Sometimes, all a game needs is simple albeit silly fun, and Asphalt Legends Unite offers precisely that. I was initially going to give the game 70% at best, but the music of this game won me over, so finally, the rating is a little higher. Feel free to lynch me for this, but I stand by it! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will move on.
Rating: 75%

Where to Buy Asphalt 9: Legends

Steam (PC): Available for free. You can download it directly from Steam.

Xbox Store (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S): Available for free. Check it out on the Xbox Store.

PlayStation Store (PS4, PS5): Available for free. You can find it on the PlayStation Store.

App Store (iOS): Available for free. Download it from the App Store.

Google Play (Android): Available for free. Purchase it from Google Play.

Epic Games Store (PC): Available for free. Purchase it from the Epic Games Store.

Official Page: Visit the official Asphalt 9: Legends page for more information.

Subreddit: Join the discussion on the Asphalt 9 Subreddit.

Weplaygames.net Youtube Channel: Asphalt Legends Unite Camaro LT Spinning

The post Asphalt Legends Unite: Arcade Racing Full of Nostalgia appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: DiRT 5
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
Released: November 6, 2020
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4

First Impressions and Gameplay Mechanics

The fifth installment of the DiRT car series – the well-known series from “Codies” always impresses at first glance with nice visuals and action-packed races that are accessible to everyone thanks to the pure arcade driving model. The problem, on the other hand, is a relatively modest career and a relatively poor range of single-player modes, which the developers try to compensate for with more elaborate multiplayer and online options.

The DiRT brand, along with licensed Formula 1 titles, has, over time, become the most crucial series for the racing greasers at Codemasters. The first DiRT is still considered one of the best arcade racing games years later. But “Codies” also reaped success with simulation fans, who were served two DiRTs under the name “Rally” simultaneously. DiRT 5 is even more of an arcade in many ways than the old DiRTs. The driving model is very similar to what we know from TrackMania, the DiRT Showdown spin-off, and the Motorstorm series. The resemblance to Motorstorm is not accidental. Behind the new DiRT is a significant part of the former Evolution studio staff, who moved under Codemasters after parting ways with Sony.

The car’s steering is very responsive and direct, the acceleration is strong, and the use of brakes is less. Despite the initial surprise, I quickly got to grips with the driving model. The controls of the vehicles are not at all difficult to get to grips with quickly, making the game accessible even to players who don’t otherwise play racing games much. The driving is action-packed, fast-paced, and entertained me. I only struggled slightly with the overly responsive controls and extreme acceleration. Still, I made do with just the gamepad, but given the arcade concept of the game, this is fine.

Arcade Spirit and Vehicle Dynamics

Along with the driving model, the overall physics of the game continues in a pure arcade spirit. This is most noticeable in the collision model. Especially after the start, hard collisions are the order of the day, as even computer-controlled opponents don’t precisely drive with two minds. Collisions, being pushed, being thrown off the track is a standard part of racing. The result is a more action-packed and frantic feel to the gameplay. The feeling of arcade gameplay is also evidenced by only cosmetic damage to the cars without affecting their handling or speed.

Diverse Vehicle Roster and Race Types

DiRT 5 features around 60 different vehicles divided into more than 10 categories. It’s a varied mix, featuring rally specials from different eras, off-roads familiar from the Dakar Rally, buggies of various sizes, production off-roaders, rallycross cars, and sports cars primarily designed for circuit racing. It combines the second and fourth DiRT cars with more unique vehicles.

The move towards the arcade, amongst a lot of other things, has made the differences in the behavior of each car relatively small. There is still a noticeable difference between buggies and rally specials or rear-wheel drive-only vehicles, for example. However, within the same class, the differences are almost nil. Most races pit a dozen drivers against each other in a three-lap match. These are short but challenging races lasting only a few minutes each time. Only Pathfinder mode, where you try to drive to the top of a mountain in a unique vehicle, and good old Gymkhana, where you collect points for drifts and acrobatic stunts, break away from this template for a change.

Dynamic Racing Environments

However, the classic rally with Erzettas is sadly missing from the game. The big attraction, however, is the tracks. The races occur in ten locations, including snowy Norway, rainy Brazil, mountainous Nepal, and arid American Arizona. Add up all the tracks and their variations, and you’ll see nearly eighty tracks. The number and variety of locations are very satisfactory. The dynamically changing weather conditions are also another of the many positives. Despite the races’ short duration, they can quickly change the weather, track surface, and time of day. In practice, you can do one lap during the day in sunny weather, another in a torrential downpour or sandstorm, and a third at night.

Audiovisual Impact

We have become accustomed to dynamic weather and time of day changes in racing games. However, they have never happened so quickly and with extreme variations, as in the fifth DiRT. If I had to single out one thing that makes DiRT at least worth trying, it’s the constantly changing conditions during the race. The ubiquitous particle effects of dust, smoke, flying pieces of mud, or falling snow or rain also sell the great atmosphere during the races. Especially in these moments, the game feels like the arrival of a new generation of consoles. In addition to the graphics, the well-crafted sounds and pleasantly listenable soundtrack deserve praise. On the technical side, I didn’t encounter anything serious; minor glitches or bugs were an exception. The only thing that didn’t please me was the occasional frame drops from 60 to about 30 frames per second, which was not entirely pleasant when driving faster or going through a sharp turn with maximum concentration. Still, fortunately, it didn’t happen too often.

Career Mode and Single-Player Content

I was very interested in how the developers would handle the career mode. This has always played an essential role in the DiRT series. Unfortunately, the fifth installment falls short in this aspect. At first glance, the enticing story told by the duo of Troy Baker and Nolan North eventually devolved into merely the often brief commentary and audio dialogue of the two protagonists. As a result, it’s just the occasional humorous or informative passages filling the time between races. It’s certainly nothing that could be called a story.

A much bigger problem, however, is the structure and progression through the career and the number of single-player modes. The career of the fifth DiRT is more than a roster of consecutive and similar races. The feeling of progressing somewhere and opening up new possibilities must be included. You have to reckon that the career offers nothing special apart from the racing itself. You don’t even have to buy a car at the start, as the game gives you one vehicle in each category by the start.

Moreover, the rewards for winning races are high. Soon, thanks to this, you will get considerable money that can only be spent on stickers and other cars. In both cases, this is a relatively small incentive. As I mentioned, the cars behave almost identically within their category. So there’s not much reason to replace the old ones with new ones. You won’t see a significant reward or deeper motivation for your efforts; race wins in your career. Vehicle upgrade options could be better. You can’t modify the performance of the cars. From a visual point of view, only stickers and body color combinations are offered. You can also remember team management. DiRT 5 replicates the all-too-easy career of recent GRIDs. We should stick purely to the single-player modes. In that case, only fast-paced racing or time trials are available apart from a truncated career. I expect more from such an ambitious game.

Multiplayer and Community Features

DiRT tries to compensate for this lack with multiplayer. For one thing, it features a split-screen for up to 4 players. Split-screen is available in both fast-paced races and careers. The online component provides classic races supplemented by special party modes Vampire, King, and Transporter. In Vampire, one player becomes a vampire and hunts down others who escape. In King mode, participants try to win the crown for as long as possible. In the final Transporter mode, the goal is to move as many items as possible to a designated location. Completely separate is the PlayGrounds mode. You can create and then share your own tracks. Players from all over the world can then run different times on them or earn points and rankings. You can make tracks for Gymkhana, time trial with checkpoints, or Smash Attack mode, where it is important to hit the desired targets accurately. The editor is quite clear and easy to navigate and control. Creating exciting and varied tracks should be fine. Here, too, you can see some similarities with the TrackMania brand, for which the track editor is an essential element. Ironically, multiplayer is the aspect of the game that contains richer content than single-player. While the single-player game relies on a weak career mode, the multiplayer brings split-screen, several online modes, and a track editor.

Final Lap

DiRT 5 is a pure arcade racing game for many players. The driving model is catchy, easy to learn, and fun despite the primitive physics. However, the leading ace up the game’s sleeve is the varied tracks with rapidly changing conditions, further enhanced by the fantastic audiovisual design. The biggest problem, on the other hand, is the weak career, offering only a series of consecutive and basically identical races. So, if you prefer a single-player, the fifth DiRT will offer little content and game modes. On the other hand, fans of multiplayer, community editors, and various online features will have plenty to keep them busy.

Where to Buy DiRT 5

Ready to hit the tracks? Purchase DiRT 5 on any of these platforms:

• Steam: Jump into high-octane racing with DiRT 5 on Steam.
• PlayStation Store: Rev your engines with DiRT 5 on the PlayStation Store.
• Microsoft Store: Experience the thrill of DiRT 5 on the Microsoft Store.

The post DiRT 5’s Dynamic Weather Fuels Adrenaline-Packed Tracks appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: Need for Speed: Unbound
Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Released: December 2, 2022
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Platforms Available: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Article Reading Time: 8 minutes

A Familiar Road with New Turns

As is customary in the Need for Speed racing series, just like in the earlier installments, we get our hands on furious races, omnipresent tire smoke, and tuned supercars in a new art style this time. Need for Speed, with the latest console version, got a chance to do something originally different. And it was an exceptional experience. The first impression immediately after starting the game was evident. Criterion was very heavily inspired by its previous work. Once again, you take on the role of a young racer looking to make a name for himself in the city. Starting from scratch with an old car, you race in day or night events to earn a living while trying to shake off the cops who come down on you after every race. A concept familiar from the older Need for Speed Heat. But this time, it’s been tweaked slightly. You create your own hero or heroine at the start of the game. The choice is broad; you can make a weird hipster, a Japanese anime-style doll, or something decent.

Night and Day, Risk and Reward

The races in Unbound are divided into day and night. During the day, it’s quiet everywhere. The races are characterized by less risk from the police, but at the same time, you can’t expect any more significant rewards. At night, on the other hand, the money starts rolling in. Law enforcement is alive and well, and the most frantic races are held for big money, which only the best can win. Of course, at night, the cops are hot, and your Heat level after each race is higher than in broad daylight. If you get caught, you lose all the money you didn’t manage to take to the garage.

The Heat of the Night

Several racing opportunities will appear on the map throughout the night. You will also often be chased by the cops after a race. If you shake them off, you can park and save your accumulated money, but this will jump you forward half a day, and the night’s events are gone. It’s more tempting to keep playing at night and run all the events. The more events you complete in one night, the higher your Heat level. Escaping the cops from level three onwards requires skill and a fast car. That hurts a lot when they catch you and confiscate all the money you didn’t manage to stash in the garage. It’s a thrilling aspect of the game, and the “this race will still work before they get me” style of decision-making was something I really enjoyed.

Racing Perfected

The story of Unbound is quite exciting and expansive by series standards, with well-written characters that are memorable and believable. The dialogue may be simple and annoying. However, we’re still talking about NFS, where the central aspect isn’t the deep story but the racing. The racing aspect of the game is perfect. This is precisely how I imagine arcade racing. In city traffic, at full speed, cutting corners, jumping, and passing closely with other road users flatting out. In Unbound, you will be dealing with surprisingly challenging races. It took me a while to learn how to drive at full speed amongst all the pitfalls, and I needed to tune the car to get to the front. The race modes don’t stray from the familiar standards; we have classic time trials, city circuits, drifts, and a special mode where you collect points for spectacular track runs and try to hit as many cones, paint barrels, and preferably jumps and skids as possible. At this point, one thing that really bothered me throughout my time playing was the lack of a fast travel option on the map. You have to transport yourself everywhere. Suppose the police patrols have it in for you and your high Heat level. In that case, you won’t just drive to the next challenge unleashed, but you’ll be dodging the police patrols with fear, marked on the map by a moving red icon. It’s neither cool nor fun, but it fits the game’s concept that the cops are here and will take your money if you’re not careful.

Aesthetic Overdrive

What would Need for Speed be without a good dose of tuning. You can customize each licensed vehicle, of which there are a staggering number, to your heart’s content. The ability to detail the powertrain is a big plus. Compared to previous installments, the authors have gone into even greater detail. Moreover, any minor modification of the car is noticeable on the road. Of course, many stickers, shiny wheel rims, bumpers, tinted glass, etc already exist. The graphics of NFS Unbound on the latest gaming consoles, especially on the PlayStation 5, are simply breathtaking. The game’s setting, Lakeshore, is a bustling and vibrant metropolis with towering skyscrapers, busy streets, and poverty-stricken suburbs, all of which are beautifully rendered with stunning attention to detail. The surrounding countryside is equally impressive, offering a plethora of scenic routes to explore. The cars in the game are also incredibly detailed, with every aspect of their design and mechanics flawlessly captured. The only downside is the lack of an interior view, which would have made the experience even more immersive. Overall, NFS Unbound is a visual masterpiece that truly showcases the power and capabilities of the latest gaming consoles.

New Styles and Online Shortfalls

A controversial pre-release feature was the new comic book style, where all the effects, like clouds from spinning tires, collisions, crashes, and flyovers, are complemented by cartoon and graffiti effects. Also, all the characters in the game look like they are from an animated movie. I was skeptical of this concept, but the developers have kept this style at bay. The graffiti is a tasteful art addition that often adds to the game’s atmosphere. The characters look too cartoonish for my taste, with bland facial expressions that make the contrast between the cartoonish and photorealistic visuals all too apparent. In addition to the 30-hour campaign, the game offers an online mode and a separate city map where you can race against other players and earn money. However, it appears that the developers did not invest enough resources in this mode. The lack of police cars, which add excitement and challenge to the races in the campaign, makes the online mode feel somewhat lackluster and empty. This is a missed opportunity, as the potential for engaging and competitive multiplayer races is certainly there. Hopefully, the developers will address this issue in future updates to the game.

Conclusion and Legacy

So, in conclusion, Need for Speed Unbound is an excellent addition to the famous franchise. Suppose you overlook that the developers were heavily inspired by the subtitled Heat and put in next-gen graphics. In that case, you get excellent arcade racing complemented by the original art style. It’s clear that the game was made for the fans, who get exactly what they expect but in a new and prettier package. The number of cars, their upgrade options, and the frantic racing are precisely what NFS has always been about, and that’s not changing. Here, all of this is brought together by an interesting story. Disappointingly, some repetitive activities and an unfinished online mode. In short, the franchise is still maintaining a relatively decent quality because it’s about to celebrate 30 years.

Purchase and Experience the Rush of Need for Speed: Unbound

Steam: Race to Steam to grab your copy and hit the streets in style.
Epic Games Store: Speed over to Epic Games Store for your adrenaline-fueled adventure.
PlayStation Store: Drive your way to the PlayStation Store and experience next-gen racing on your PS5.
Microsoft Store: Accelerate your game on Xbox by visiting the Microsoft Store.

The post Need for Speed Unbound: High-Octane Races Meet Fresh Comic Book Style appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.