Arena levels for some all-out, Twisted Metal-style vehicular combat round out the experience. Shortcuts often require some platforming and can be tricky to nail, but as a result they can be hugely satisfying to navigate. Each environment features several course variations, all packed with shortcuts and alternate routes. At the same time, drifting can be handled automatically for younger or inexperienced players, simplifying matters.Įnvironments run the gamut of locations from the new film (Italy, Japan, England, oil rigs at sea), along with some nice recreations of Radiator Springs. While each maneuver is simple enough to execute, often requiring little more than a button press or swipe of the right analog stick, using them all together can require a fair bit of mental and manual dexterity, keeping things interesting for more experienced gamers.

Rewards are frequent, thanks to the near constant accrual of Spy Points (the game's currency), and there is an extensive, achievement-like system of Badges and Crests to unlock, many with rewards such as new cars or new skins for existing vehicles.Ĭars 2 features the full compliment of kart racing mechanics: weapons, drifting, boosting, jumping, and stunts. Similarly, at the end of each race, players are prompted to go right to the next event, with no menu navigation in between. For instance, upon unlocking a new Clearance Level, of which there are six in the game, all the courses and characters that make up that level are immediately available to the player in all of the game's many modes - no need to beat them first. Cars 2 is a blast, easily among the best kart racers available and not just for younger players.Īt every turn, developer Avalanche Software has made smart, player-focused decisions designed to keep the experience accessible and engaging. Plugging the Cars characters and locations into a kart racer seems almost too obvious an idea, yet the execution in Cars 2: The Video Game is so strong - as to make taking the property in any other direction pointless. Game Rant's Jeff Schille reviews Cars 2: The Video Gameįollowing last year's successful collaboration on the markedly good Toy Story 3: The Video Game, Avalanche Software and Disney Pixar have teamed up once again to deliver a game based on the studio's latest big screen adventure.Ĭars 2: The Video Game raced to retail last week just ahead of the film, but does it deserve a spot in your Summer gaming line-up, or does this one need a little more time in the garage?Ībandoning the open-world design that marked the earliest Cars game as surprisingly sophisticated for a licensed title pitched at children, Cars 2: The Video Game is a straightforward, linear affair, but it is also the most polished and playable Disney Pixar game to date.

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