Endless Destruction on Xbox Series X

Wreckfest review for Xbox Series X

I’m back behind the wheel once more to bring you the review of the Xbox Series X version of Wreckfest. While it is true that we have already published the analysis of the original game, and the performance improvement is available in the base game; I decided to write a new review as this version requires verification to update the original game. In this way, just to be clear, to switch from the backward compatible version to the specific new generation version, you have to pay $ 9.99. As long as you have the game, otherwise you have to buy it at full price. That said, in addition to the improvement that the normal game already had, this new version includes online up to 24 players, dynamic dirt, better textures and effects and a new tournament: Wrecking Madness.

All of this, this is my first time playing Wreckfest. Yes, even when it entered Xbox Game Pass, I canceled it. The introductory trailer and the initial idea felt pretty cheap to me and totally disappeared from my radar when it premiered. However, I must apologize to those who supported him and, most importantly, THQ Nordic. Since the game has pleasantly surprised me in several sections and, although it is not perfect, Wreckfest has a lot to offer in its proposal, its physics and its modes of play. So let’s get acquainted with this new edition of the game craziest wheeled destruction of recent times.

Wreckfest is above all a racing game. But running without more would not be attractive enough to compete with big heavyweights like Forza, in the specific case of the Xbox. Thus, the title of THQ is betting on “la americanada” the funniest and most entertaining arcade show.

If we focus on the trajectory mode, the adventure for one player, we have the typical system of advancement by leagues, where you have to accumulate points to move to the next category. It is a simple but effective system. Each league challenge, which can be played in any order, rewards the competitor with points based on their wins and final position in the race series. Plus, there aren’t just races for the laps, but there are also driver-to-driver destruction tests, head-to-head events, and other unlikely situations with unexpected vehicles.

This way we can get involved in an American circular track race. The twist comes when we drive a small three-wheeled car, while the other eleven drivers drive buses. At this point, Winning isn’t the only goal, as it’s easy to get overwhelmed for these unfair rivals. Not only can they get us off the track, since every vehicle has a health indicator, and if it hits zero it may be knocked out or have to respawn, losing positions in the process. As you might expect, each vehicle has its own physique to suit its size and weight. Therefore, the impact of a 4 × 4 can be fatal for a small car. It must be said that the differences in the “density” of the impact are compensated for by the handling and the speed of the most fragile.

On the other hand, this physics of, say, impact is coupled with the ability to improve different vehicles. Although not everyone admits an improvement. In the typical range of engine parts, gearboxes, heat sinks, etc., there are customization options for sheet metal and paint. However, the most interesting is the possibility of strengthening the body and front and rear bumpers with reinforcements and additions that improve damage and strength. Adding these parts negatively affects speed and handling, but they may be necessary if you’re trying to sweep and not get there first.

As I said, the tests are divided into different disciplines. Demolition, races, various challenges … Destruction as such happens in demolition tests, but nothing prevents pilots from measuring their backs in any other test. It’s worth noting how boring it is to end up in titles like Forza Horizon, when it is incredibly satisfying to trade blows at Wreckfest. The game knows how to seek conflict, contact, each track is designed so that touch makes affection. Tight turn? Well, we use the nearest driver as the parent. The hits are not free, hitting others will cause them damage, but our car can also take its share. In a demolition test they don’t matter as much, but when it comes to racing you have to attack with the head.

Every impact, against other cars or the scene itself, may involve broken parts of our car. Not only will the doors or hood burst, but we could also deflect a wheel, damage the brakes, or destroy the engine. While we try to drive clean and avoid contact, the game itself will make it harder not to hit with each turn. Figure-eight circuits, the center of which is a shared lane; oval tracks with motocross jumps; even loops (shared lane) will be waiting for us. More, Wreckfest preserves parts that fall from cars around the circuit, leaving even cars that are already inoperative as if they were new obstacles. This turns 4 lap races into minefields towards the end.

We’ve talked a lot about destructibility, game modes, and madness, but Uncontrolled Power is worthless. Wreckfest’s physics engine is eye-catching, arcade; but not out of control. I can’t say it’s like the one in Forza Horizon, but it’s also not as straightforward as the one in the Midnight Club. This game knows how to find the right point between the show and the simulation of light driving. You need to know how to use the throttle and brake, and you can customize the difficulty with the typical activators of ABS, traction and other systems. Visually, the game looks decent, beautiful, very conspicuous from the engine. Clearly the 4K 60s look great on any racing game

. In addition, the new effects of dirt, texture and lighting make the experience suitable for a new generation.

Since there is no such thing as the perfect game, you always have to look at the negatives too. Vibration uses Xbox boost triggers so that you can feel the curves, the acceleration and the sideslip individually on each trigger. However, when we roll objects or collide with light boats, there are no vibratory responses.. It is quite disappointing that the vibration was not used to feel the bits of cars on the track. On the other hand, the online version of this version works on its own, so it was difficult for me to find games to enjoy such a fun online proposition.

I would like to end this analysis by talking about the fabulous soundtrack and the sound effects that accompany Wreckfest. Engines, field reactions, etc. are okay, but the music is fantastic. A good game of destruction and arcade racing, the soundtrack plays its cards between punk and heavy metal. This leaves us with a fairly varied palette that goes from metalcore to nu metal, without neglecting rap, the most classic heavy and the fastest punk. The whole soundtrack is designed so that the feeling behind the wheel is frenetic and releases a constant adrenaline rush.

Finally, Wreckfest is a fantastic offer of race and destruction in its new version for Xbox Series S | X. It’s not a visual spectacle but it looks awesome. The performance is more than adequate and the loading times are very short. The simulation and destruction of vehicles and scenarios generate a very funny chaos, all seasoned with a powerful soundtrack. If anything has to be criticized, it is that it does not take better advantage of the vibration for greater immersion.