Review: Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged exceeds expectations

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is the type of sequel you need to make if you want to establish a franchise like this in the racing video game realm. As a sequel to the 2021 game, this title takes it to the next level in every sense of the word.

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Graphics and visuals

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 immediately captures your attention with its stunning graphics. The visual quality generally varies depending on the scene, but you will find that it is nothing short of excellent. At times, it is even remarkable! The game's development team, Milestone, focused on fine-tuning many important details when designing this game. This philosophy helped ensure that the Hot Wheels vehicles available here closely match the look and feel of their real inspirations.

If you've ever played Hot Wheels, it's like the full version of your imagination comes to life on screen. Textures, molded parts, small knitting lines and other embellishments are the main details that perfectly imitate real Hot Wheels. There are even little bits of extra paint on the cars that are true to the original material.

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In certain lighting conditions you will find that other imperfections are present. Child-sized fingerprints may be noticed, and scratches from jumping and strenuous running may accumulate. It's a real visual treat that will make you a Hot Wheels enthusiast, even if you're unfamiliar with the toy line.

Playability and handling

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is a real charm in terms of gameplay. It offers the classic arcade vibe you've come to expect from the genre, but it also manages to establish its own identity. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up but extremely difficult to master.

Getting started is easier said than done. Unless you are used to this type of game, you will come up against many walls and obstacles. The best players demonstrate some skill, and the nuanced aerial controls can seem straight out of a montage once they're mastered. You'll be able to adjust your direction in the air and soar through the sky with deadly precision.

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Taking the time to learn all the tricks the game offers is definitely worth it. Additionally, you'll find that the double jump and side run abilities help add a little more complexity to the most basic races.

Vehicle classes

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is well balanced, thanks to the six vehicle classes. This includes :

• Rocket
• Balance
• Swift
• Drifter
• All Terrain
• Heavyweight

Each of these classes is unique enough to play, especially because they have their own advantages and disadvantages. Overall, they encourage players to choose their vehicles carefully and based on the current map and conditions.

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With the game's perk and upgrade systems, you'll be able to customize vehicles to your own specifications. These benefits can also blur the lines between different classes. This will give you the full experience of a car that fits everything you want. With this level of flexibility, you can make every ride a unique experience. It's also great fun to tackle the same circuits with new car models.

Event Challenges

In some cases, the game forces you to use vehicle classes that aren't necessarily the best for a challenge. At times like these, it's best to accept the new difficulty level, even if it can be frustrating. It would have been better if these events were not so restrictive. Hopefully the developers will be able to balance this point in the future to satisfy a wider audience. It is unlikely that most players will be able to complete some of these extreme challenges in the future.

Environments and tracks

The game's environments are extremely imaginative. You'll see a ton of cool things you wouldn't expect in a video game, especially not in a Hot Wheels game. There's a dinosaur museum with prehistoric exhibits, and there's also a well-lit Arcade level and gas station that help spice things up for a visually appealing aesthetic.

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Each tour is unique and shortcuts are available, which adds a new element of surprise to the experience. Compared to the original Hot Wheels Unleashed, some players may not be a fan of the shortcuts that exist here. These include the double jump. With these shortcut mechanics, the number of checkpoints has also increased. Overall, this has impacted the creativity of the shortcuts available to players.

Track builder

Players have the freedom to create and customize tracks, allowing everyone to bring their ideal tracks to life. However, things don't turn out exactly as you would have imagined. Older environments are not available in this track generator, limiting the potential for track variety. The presence of the double jump could have made it possible to create exciting shortcuts. Unfortunately, players don't get to experience this.

Multiplayer and co-op

In Hot Wheels Unleashed 2, players retain the two-player split-screen feature, making things much more enjoyable when exploring the different event types. Checkpoint races add a competitive dimension to your encounters. In these races, the gloves are off and a high-risk, high-reward fight awaits. The multiplayer component of the game is a sure way to keep your attention. There's plenty to do, whether you're playing online with strangers or with friends and family.

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Verdict

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is a worthy sequel to the first game in the franchise. It’s a visual treat with awesome arcade racing. Although you'll face a few challenges along the way, the game stays true to the Hot Wheels experience. At its core, it's a fun game for players of all ages, and if you're a very competitive player, you'll find enough depth to reward you.