Next Car Game: Wreckfest - A crashing simulator that lets you think it's a racing game

If you're concentrating on the racing, you may be doing it wrong.

How aggressive can you be!

Wreckfest is an aggressive crashing simulator that sometimes allows you to pretend that you're supposed to be racing, not viciously attacking your opponents and attempting to grind them into the railing. It's an old fashioned, meaty car game that essentially lets you feel as if you are punching other people with four wheels.

Racing. Demolition. Chunks of metal flying everywhere.

As you would expect from a car game, this offers a couple of different modes: Racing and demolition derby. The objectives are relatively self-explanatory: In the racing version, you're supposed to be the first one across the finish line. In the derby, your goal is to be the last car still functioning. In a sense, its a distinction without a difference.

Even in the racing modes, you're trying to destroy your opponents, which of course, only enhances the fun.

Perhaps the only ding on the game's concept is that there's no plot or story mode. Get in the car, drive fast, make things go boom. Yes, this is still fine for most players, but some may miss this omission.

Damn, those flames are sharp

There's no doubt about it: The graphics on this one are sharp. The game somehow mixes a retro-style with modern charm. Large chunks of your car fly off with every crash, and the game's frame-rate does a fantastic job of keeping up with the great crashes that occur.

Indeed, the graphics enhance the game by giving an almost visceral sense of charm: Cars come with sharp designs that will make any fan of muscle cars drool.

The graphical style is a unique blend of grittiness and realism. You'd be forgiven if you thought that you were watching a Steve McQueen movie that was ported to the PS4.

Choose Your Mode of Destruction

The game offers a slew of options when it comes to game-play. Players, of course, can pick their car and its various options, including transmission type and arena of racing.

Don't think that the game's emphasis on wanton destruction makes it any easier to play: It requires real thought and strategy. The game has a robust physics system that is difficult to master and requires practice to understand. It's a fair system, but a tough one, and it's on you, the player, to fully understand it.

Furthermore, the game offers a variety of career-modes that add to the long-term replayability of the game. You can buy and sell cars and conduct research on other options. This allows you to explore the game's physics system, find what works for you, and alter your playing style accordingly.

No shortage of options to keep you coming back

The game comes with single-player and multiplayer modes, ensuring you can have a great time with others or by yourself. It is available on Steam, PS4, and Xbox One for $39.99.

Interestingly, the history of this game is a rocky one. The game attempted a Kickstarter campaign back in 2013, but that failed. As a result, they entered a four year Early Access period. As such, the game only became commercially available in mid-2018.

Thankfully for players, there is no shortage of options to keep you entertained and coming back for more. The racing and derby modes are robust, the multiplayer is sharp, and the graphics are highly entertaining. You'll be able to play this one for some time without getting bored.

TL/DR

A destructive and entertaining car game that encourages you to win races and cause spectacular crashes.