From the developers that bought you FlatOut 1 & 2 comes the next best thing when it comes to racing games. Wreckfest is truly a breath-taking game that comes with intense moments as well as fantastic lifelike physics when it comes to the world of destruction derbies. No two races feel the same and it’s a consent overload of mayhem and perfection. While playing this game I’m cut off from the world as it draws me in so much, I have never been to a destruction derby before but after playing this game it really makes you want to go to one. I had the joy of getting hands-on with the PlayStation 4 version and have found it hard to put it down.
There isn’t much of a story in Wreckfest but it does have a career mode that is made up of six different tiers that you can work your way through. Complete events to gain trophies that will unlock different stages and more events for you to take part in. The whole gist of the game is to drive hard and die last, words from the developers themselves. With it being a destruction derby racing game it’s the whole point is to try and bash your fellow racers of the track or into the walls to get the upper hand on them and better them to the finished like but don’t think that you’ll be safe just because you sat in first. While playing expect huge crashes, pile-ups and a lot of restarts!
Even though the game is a demolition derby game there is still a traditional racing game feel to it. Don’t get me wrong you can have huge crashes and plenty of destruction, but you still have to find a way over the finishing line when it comes to the track races. you also get the option to customise your own events against AI or take the destruction online against other races. The game offers an array of different vehicles that the player can customise to a certain extent, buying parts for your vehicles and tuning them to your racing style allows for a more engaging drive. If you want to kit your vehicles out to have more strength so it can withstand more bashes, then you can do just that. I say vehicles loosely because that game offers more than just cars, you have a bus, harvesters and even a sofa car! Yeah but this one isn’t straight off the DFS wagon it’s been modified for the track. Having these wacky additions in the game really spices up gameplay. One of my favourite events is when you must race around in a three-wheeler while trying to avoid a massive bus that’s aim is to crash you out of the race, truly a cat and mouse situation. The way it works is that each car has a health bar and crashing into them or pushing them into walls will cause damage to their vehicle, once that health bar runs out you will be wrecked and out of the event. Some events allow you to respawn, but these are specified before entering. By performing different manoeuvres you’ll gain XP and points but make sure your not always ramming headfirst into cars as you will take heavy damage too, do subtle pit manoeuvres or guide them into oncoming traffic or static objects for a safer take out rather than risk your own vehicles health. You’ll need to use your head and work out which tactics you want to drive by whether it be defensive or aggressive because while racing you must watch out for the vehicular combat side of it all. I really enjoy the mix of track racing and the demolition derby because it keeps the game fresh as if you are getting bored of racing you can just jump between either mode with ease and keep the fun going.
Graphically the car is brilliant, the level of detail is fantastic and I love how they capture the damage to the vehicles. The selection of racetracks is an eye-pleaser and when played on a PlayStation 4 run smoothly and feel polished. Partnered with the soundtrack it really gets you in the mood for some aggressive racing and really get you pumped while waiting in the lobbies and loading screens though sadly at times it feels that the loading screens take forever and even freeze from time to time especially when just have just completed an event and have to select another or progress onto the next stage. You have to wait for it to catch up and unfreeze. I love how there isn’t a pause with the music, it’s just on a continues playlist that plays through the game it’s impressive.
Wreckfest has a lot to offer in terms of replay value, just because you complete career doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. With the online multiplayer having a healthy community and the customise events there always feels like there is something for you to do, this gives the player confidence when purchasing as you can trust that you won’t just be playing it for a while and then have nothing to do.
Closing Statement
Wreckfest is one of those games that comes onto the market and might get missed out on due to lack of exposer or other games coming out alongside it but I promise you that if you love racing games that it is definitely worth your time and money. It got delayed a few times with it console release but from my point of view has made a very strong impact with myself in terms of the gameplay and its wacky, over the top destruction that makes it feel different in the current market. If you see this game on the shelf I would highly recommend it as I have enjoyed every second I have played, the only negatives I have are the lack of customisation and a few bugs here and there but overall it is jam-packed full of destruction, crazy racing and above all a polished game that offers the players hours of immersive driving goodness. For those reasons, I’m more than happy to give Wreckfest a 9/10.
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