ArcRacer
- September 22, 2023
- foxel_
Get on Steam"ArcRacer" is a single-player racing game with a pixel-perfect Y2K-inspired artstyle and a full campaign mode. The game offers 14 unique courses, 8 ships with distinct playstyles, and a custom race mode configuration. The fast-paced, aggressive racing is set to a full soundtrack by composer Tempxa, with an in-game tutorial and manual with tips. However, it does not have multiplayer features.
Reviews
- ArcRacer offers a unique and thrilling take on anti-gravity racing with fluid controls and engaging mechanics.
- The retro aesthetic and fantastic soundtrack create an immersive experience that pays homage to classic racing games.
- The game features a variety of race modes, difficulty settings, and a well-designed campaign, making it accessible for newcomers while still challenging for veterans.
- The game is prone to occasional freezing and crashes, which can disrupt the racing experience.
- There is no multiplayer mode or track editor, limiting the game's longevity and competitive potential.
- Some tracks can be frustratingly punishing, especially at higher speeds, which may deter players looking for a more forgiving experience.
- graphics15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their retro aesthetic reminiscent of the late 90s, featuring a polished, user-friendly design that evokes a nostalgic PSX vibe. The futuristic and geometric visuals, combined with expertly crafted electronic music, create a unique and immersive experience. While some players prefer to adjust the default settings for a better visual appeal, the overall presentation is considered a standout aspect of the game, enhancing the enjoyment of its varied and interesting tracks.
“The graphics are a simple retro style, but it works.”
“It is very user-friendly, very polished, the graphics give a great retro PSX vibe, and the music is expertly done.”
“The art, lore bits, and graphics are all deliberate, bold, delightfully animated, and work in harmony with the music to deliver a stunning, soulful presentation.”
“Default graphics settings (bloom, motion blur, soft filter) are not for me, so I turned them off and cranked up the vertex jitter. It looks a lot better that way, in my opinion, given the aesthetic.”
“The graphics are a simple retro style, but it doesn't quite meet my expectations.”
“While the aesthetic is interesting, the overall graphics feel outdated and lack the polish I was hoping for.”
- music14 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ethereal and groovy techno soundtrack, which enhances the overall aesthetic and gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the expertly crafted original soundtrack, noting its ability to captivate players to the point of leaving the main menu open just to enjoy the music. While the soundtrack is considered fantastic, some users express a desire for more tracks or the option for custom playlists in the future.
“The music is expertly done, giving a great retro PSX vibe.”
“The racing is fun, the aesthetics and music are great, and the courses are varied and interesting!”
“The art, lore bits, and graphics are all deliberate, bold, delightfully animated, and work in harmony with the music to deliver a stunning, soulful presentation.”
“The OST is ethereal, but the handling is hard to learn and master. The tracks are nefarious with all the blind turns, and even the novice AI could give a Wipeout veteran like myself a run for her money.”
“Great OST, though it could use some more songs. Custom playlists in the future?”
“From its visual art style to its electronic music choice, it's not something I have really seen.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Arcracer is praised for its accessibility and depth, offering a blend of familiar mechanics from classic anti-grav racers while introducing unique features like an energy bar and strategic item placement. Players appreciate the fluid controls, diverse ship handling, and the challenge of mastering the game's mechanics, which emphasize speed and agility over traditional weaponry. Overall, the game is seen as a worthy successor to the Wipeout series, providing a rich and engaging racing experience.
“The gameplay itself is easy to learn and difficult to master.”
“Fantastic anti-grav racer that brings a lot of new fun mechanics to the table. I'm a huge fan of the energy bar and its strategic item placements on the track, and I like that it has two uses to help during races.”
“Side-shunting to close the gap in turns at shield cost (and counter-shunting out of turns to give yourself a boost), banking orbs strategically placed as an alternative to boost pads to either give, on demand, more shield (with brief invulnerability) or give a straight-up forward boost, and of course the airbrakes for when things get too haywire. The mobility options in tandem with gameplay elements are just top notch.”
“While there are a few differences, such as the coin-collecting boost/heal mechanic and the seeming lack of weapons and barrel rolls, it doesn’t take long to get used to if you’ve spent hours in Wipeout HD or Omega.”
“There are a lot of mechanics that take cues from various other anti-gravity racers released over the years, and it's become its own thing.”
“Ever since BallisticNG ruined my taste in anti-gravity racing games, I've been looking for the next thing to provide a similar forehead-against-brick-wall challenge in terms of potential mastery of mechanics, and this game delivers in full!”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express frustration with the game's emotional impact, highlighting that the punishing mechanics—such as severe penalties for wall collisions and aggressive AI interactions—create a sense of stress and irritation rather than enjoyment. This design choice detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge.
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its nostalgic feel, reminiscent of classic titles like MGS1 and Wipeout Pure, creating a vibrant virtual racing playground that blends imaginative art direction with a compelling lore that enhances the overall experience.
“The UI and menu work is incredible, and the whole vibe has MGS1 VR mission vibes, creating a virtual racing playground that takes me back to Wipeout Pure's fantastic art direction and lore; a world that seeks to supplant real-world tracks with the limitless potential of cyberspace.”
