Tokyo Xtreme Racer review: Racing past the competition.
This game was clocked in over 3 hours on Steam Early Access
Review:
One of the many different genres of games you may see on the market is the timeless genre of racing games. From harmless cart racers featuring goofy characters to ultra-realistic driving simulators that were used to win actuarial races, these games have shown a need for speed. One such title has come out of the woodwork after a lengthy hiatus with a new publisher, and that is Tokyo Xtreme Racer, a game by Genki, making its triumphant return after 18 years, and it has never been better.
Through experiencing the harsh yet talented streets of Tokyo highways, Tokyo Xtreme Racer is a game where you race against other rivals in head-to-head races to prove who is the fastest on the streets. But behind each car is a racer, and each racer has a story to tell. I've been invested in what they have to say, especially one such racer known as the mysterious “Cinderella Past Midnight”. But before battling her, you need to go on a grand tour, and is more trouble than it's worth. Then again, you eat trouble like that for breakfast.
The gameplay is as you would expect, through driving across the highways to try to beat your rivals, whether they're part of a team, famous solo acts, or even random passersby who have better things to do. But through racing these rivals, you earn money to upgrade your rides or buy new ones. Each of the cars found in the shop can be turned to help battle stronger cars and tougher rivals. I've actually enjoyed the gameplay because it reminds me alot of anime titles that feature racing, such as Initial D, its sequel MF Ghost, and Wangan Midnight. It’s fast, it's furious, and it’s fun to boot.
What is most impressive about the game is that Tokyo Xtreme Racer was made in Unreal Engine 5, which was recently released to the public. This means that this game looks better when you’re playing it firsthand. And not only does it look good, but it sounds good as well. Between the engines roaring, the tires squealing, and the wind blowing past your need for speed, Tokyo Xtreme Racer has proven to be the best arcade racing game in years.
As of writing this review, Tokyo Xtreme Racer is still in early access, so there will be alot of stuff changed in the near future to help meet the different needs of the fans. But I have faith in Genki in hopes that this game will only be better as time goes on. There are no microtransactions, no DLC, just free updates that help fix the game and offer bonus content for no extra costs. With this, Tokyo Xtreme Racer lives up to it’s hype and showcases what racing games with heart have to show, unlike some other games out there. It’s got skill, it’s got replayability, and it’s got heart, even though there’s still more work to do. But for now, pick up the game. You won’t regret it.
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8.5/10
