Driving is just the tip of the iceberg to unlock the game's potential.
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The world of racing games has evolved significantly since those iconic sagas that marked a before and after in the industry. Several decades ago, more arcade-like experiences dominated, putting us directly in the driver’s seat.
There were big names like Need for Speed, Midnight Club, and Burnout back in the 2000s, a golden age for fans of this type of game. Specifically, the last name shone for a long time, although it faded with the passing years.
However, some of the people responsible for the Burnout series formed the studio Three Fields Entertainment, with which they set out to bring back that essence that made them special. After several failed attempts, we find ourselves with their latest game: Wreckreation.
Technical Aspect
One of the details that impressed us most about this new game was the fact that its profile described it as a sandbox world that would feature an extensive territory to explore, and let me tell you that they weren’t kidding.
We find ourselves with an immense scenario, an interactive and extensive world in every sense of the word. Although let me be very direct: we are not facing a triple-A production, but rather a game with a more reduced budget, and that’s something very noticeable.
Don’t expect to see an outstanding level of detail, but rather something more decent and suitable. Don’t get me wrong, the game looks great, but for people like this writer, who has traveled many worlds of this style, it doesn’t feel as elaborate in its technical aspect.
That said, it’s clear that they’ve tried to recreate a diverse world in every aspect, with very detailed biomes in each area we venture into during our journey. Although, on occasion, some car collisions feel a bit strange.
In terms of dubbing and music, it meets all expectations, being quite powerful. Although, given the game’s dynamics, it takes a backseat, as we easily get lost exploring the map’s corners, leaving us with a mix that offers a fairly interesting experience.
In the end, it’s a game that delivers in this aspect. It’s not very outstanding, and it doesn’t need to be, its true pillar is in the gameplay, while the visuals do their part to make us feel part of the place.
Gameplay
I know that at the beginning, we highlighted the Burnout series to make it clear that in Wreckreation, some of the people responsible for the EA series were in charge of this latest title. This serves as a vote of confidence and allows us to understand that they are a team with experience in this type of game.
It’s like this that this new IP seeks to revive the past, but adding new things to make it more attractive. Thus, we start with a driving game that, at first glance, seems to be just that. Although we must highlight several important things that the game possesses.
- Races: we are facing a driving title, and as such, we will be able to participate in numerous races against opponents and even against friends that we can invite. We have various modes, the most classic ones focused on getting from one point to another, and also those for giving laps and winning against opponents. Additionally, we have impressive crashes and the option to get rid of rivals, so fun is guaranteed at all times.
- Immense map: we are facing a map of around 400 km². Keep in mind that it won’t be fully open or unlocked, and that translates to exploring and discovering each corner to reveal each part of it. Don’t worry, we’ll find many events during our journey and, at the same time, objects and hidden things. This will encourage us to search every corner, whether to discover a new car or pieces to build our world our way.
- World customization: if the above wasn’t enough, we’ll find the Live Mix mode, which, when activated, will allow us to add new sections, such as bridges, jumps, objects, and all kinds of elements to interconnect them and give the game a new level of variety. This, without a doubt, is one of the game’s strong points, as as we unlock parts of these elements, we’ll be able to incorporate them into the places we want. Therefore, each player will have a different experience in their worlds.
The above is the basis of the game, which, when mixed together, generates a synergy that evolves as we progress, since to have new creations, we’ll need to explore and play. The gameplay, on the other hand, won’t disappoint anyone.
Our vehicle is responsive, feels very good to handle, without forgetting that it has the characteristics typical of this type of game: you know, having nitro, drifts, and more. We’ll have a good number of cars, and customization will be present at all times.
Something that does feel strange at this point is not having a driver or people in the surroundings. It’s as if the world of Cars from Pixar has taken over everything. Obviously, this doesn’t affect the gameplay or fun, it’s just a small detail that I couldn’t help but mention.
There’s a lot to do, and I know I’ll leave many things unmentioned, but the game is very complete in this aspect. Perhaps something that felt bittersweet to me while playing is that we have to explore everything possible to unlock the map.
For veteran players, having the freedom to explore will be a good option; perhaps less experienced players will feel that their journey is tedious. Either way, it’s a matter of taste. After adapting a bit, I understood that it was the way to incentivize us to explore and discover.
In the end, we have a very balanced game in Wreckreation: it offers tons of options to enjoy, it’s up to you how to take advantage of what’s available. Maybe it’s not Burnout, but it’s inevitable not to remember it while playing, especially with so many additions.
Duration
I can only tell you that having a gigantic map that covers around 400 km² is an extremely ambitious incentive. This translates to the fact that you’ll be traveling a lot to discover each secret, part, and object.
One of the game’s pillars is to offer us an extensive variety of options to have fun, which guarantees that you’ll invest a considerable amount of hours behind the wheel. Keep in mind that you’ll need a lot of time to be able to enjoy the game as it should be.
We are facing a very complete journey with enough content to keep you doing various things, whether it’s races, cars, objects, and the most attractive thing about the title: placing crazy things in your world to make it more interesting and not feel repetitive.
Conclusion
This year, we’ve seen all kinds of games, and it’s been a complete madness: the variety of IP is monumental. The good thing about all this is that there’s always something special for each of the players. It’s here that we get a game from the hand of Three Fields Entertainment, ex-members of Criterion Games.
Wreckreation is their new work, a chapter that seeks to bring back a bit of the past, but with what made them stand out in the industry. This title is the culmination of many years of trying to bring back that already known formula that stood out in the 2000s.
We are facing a complete experience that not only has Burnout’s DNA but also goes beyond and adds other elements: a massive map, cars, events, collectibles, crashes, and the possibility of giving free rein to your imagination with new creations. It’s not perfect, but it delivers on what it offers, and spending pleasant hours will be a delight for the most veteran players and a great journey for beginners.
We thank THQ Nordic for the material provided to carry out this analysis.
Video game, Xbox, PC and Nintendo Switch enthusiast. Frank is one of the most active video game news writers on the web. He covers absolutely every topic. In terms of games reviewed, as of 2024 he has already passed the 60 mark and his average score, according to Open Critic is 80.
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