Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
Developer(s)Milestone
Publisher(s)Milestone
Producer(s)Domenico Celenza
SeriesHot Wheels
EngineUnreal Engine 4[1]
Platform(s)
ReleaseOctober 19, 2023
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is a racing video game developed and published by Milestone. A sequel to Hot Wheels Unleashed (2021), the game was released in October 2023 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S.

The game received generally favorable reviews upon release.

Gameplay

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Like its predecessor, Turbocharged is a racing game. In the game, the player assumes control of vehicles from the Hot Wheels franchise, and races against opponents in miniature tracks set in various everyday locations. Turbocharged's tracks are set in five different environments based in an arcade, a family backyard, a mini-golf course, a museum, and a gas station diner. Players can also access the "Track Room", which allows them to freely create their own racing tracks and share them online.[2] Outdoor tracks introduce new terrain types such as grass and dirt,[3] and some tracks introduce modules, which allows players to perform impossible feats such as defying gravity and racing on ceiling. Vehicles in the game can now double jump, allowing players to jump over other opponents or to reach secret areas, and "lateral drift", which enables players to bump their opponents off the track.[4]

Turbocharged introduces two new vehicle types: motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. At launch, the game will feature 130 distinct vehicles.[3] Vehicles are also categorized into six different categories: Rocket, Balanced, Swift, Drifter, Off-Road, and Heavy Duty. Each category has their own advantages and disadvantages.[5] Unlike the first game, players unlock vehicles by purchasing them directly in the game's store, which resembles an aisle in a toy store. The roster of cars available for purchase at a given moment is randomized every few hours.[4] The appearance of each vehicle can be extensively customized using the game's livery editor. As players progress in the game, they will earn skill points, allowing them to upgrade their vehicles to improve their performance in a race.[2] In addition to the original's standard race and time trials, Turbocharged adds more gameplay modes such as elimination events, drift challenges, and various online events.[3] The game also features a story mode with animated cutscenes, cross-platform play (with the exception of the Switch), and two-player split-screen multiplayer.[6]

Development

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Italian studio Milestone returned as the game's developer. The game was officially announced on May 31, 2023.[7] The game was released on October 19, 2023 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S.[8] The first downloadable content pack, featuring the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody from the Fast & Furious franchise, will also be available at launch.[9]

Reception

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The game received "generally favorable reviews" upon release, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[10] The game was nominated for "Best Sports/Racing Game" at The Game Awards 2023,[11] as well as "Racing Game of the Year" at the 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.[12]

Luke Reilly from IGN described the game as "an impeccably detailed and blisteringly fast racer with incredible graphics and rock-solid arcade underpinnings", and "one of the strongest and most imaginative arcade racers available today", though he was disappointed by the roster of cars available for players to choose from and the exclusion of previous track locations.[13] Writing for GameSpot, James Carr praised the small improvements the game had introduced to the franchise, but felt that the changes were not substantial enough. He was disappointed by the game's shop and its progression system for removing "the thrill of unlocking a new vehicle".[14]

References

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  1. ^ Meija, Oozie (June 27, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged builds on its surprise hit predecessor". Shacknews. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Romano, Sal (July 27, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged 'Gameplay' trailer, screenshots". Gematsu. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Reilly, Luke (June 28, 2023). "Small Scale, Big Fun: Hands-on with Hot Wheels Unleashed 2". IGN. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Indovina, Kurt (July 27, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Is Revving Up To Its Name". GameSpot. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Celenza, Domenico (May 31, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged Has Been Announced – Here are the Biggest Changes". Xbox Wire. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  6. ^ Ivan, Tom (May 31, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged announced ahead of October release". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  7. ^ Norman, Jim (June 1, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Speeds Onto Switch This October". Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  8. ^ Stewart, Marcus (May 31, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Crosses The Finish Line In October". Game Informer. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  9. ^ Hagues, Alana (July 29, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Puts Family First With Fast & Furious Collab". Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  10. ^ "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged". Metacritic. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  11. ^ Spangler, Todd (November 13, 2023). "The Game Awards 2023 Nominations: Alan Wake 2, Baldur's Gate 3 Lead the Pack With Eight Noms Each (Full List)". Variety. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  12. ^ "27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  13. ^ Reilly, Luke (October 16, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Review". IGN. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  14. ^ Carr, James (October 18, 2023). "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Review - 2 Hot 2 Wheels". GameSpot. Retrieved November 5, 2023.

References

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