FUMES

About

FUMES is a single player casual racing game. It was developed by FUMES team and was released on July 28, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

FUMES is a single-player racing game blending fast-paced vehicular combat with nostalgic rally-inspired driving physics. Customize your cars with weapons and gear as you deliver packages, battle wasteland enemies, and face giant bosses across atmospheric, procedurally generated deserts. Featuring fantastic mechanics, delightful graphics, and outstanding music, it offers intense fun with lots of grinding and a hilarious, immersive vibe.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,264 reviews

gameplay95 positive mentions

grinding17 negative mentions

FUMES is a fun and chaotic vehicular combat game that combines elements of classic titles like Twisted Metal and Mad Max.
The game features a satisfying customization system for vehicles, allowing players to mix and match parts, weapons, and skins.
The retro aesthetic and engaging gameplay loop provide a nostalgic experience while keeping players entertained with fast-paced action.

The game currently lacks content variety, with repetitive mission types and limited enemy diversity, which can lead to a monotonous experience.
Some players have reported issues with the game's difficulty balance, where certain bosses can feel either too easy or frustratingly hard.
The user interface and controls can be confusing at times, particularly for players using controllers, which may detract from the overall experience.

gameplay
232 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
5%
The gameplay is characterized by its fun, fast-paced vehicular combat and engaging mechanics, reminiscent of classic arcade titles like Twisted Metal and Mad Max. While the core gameplay loop is addictive and offers a satisfying experience with customization options, many players note that it can become repetitive over time, especially due to a lack of variety in missions and mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its smooth controls and nostalgic aesthetics, but it still has room for improvement in content and depth as it continues to develop in early access.
- “If you watch the trailers and think 'this game looks badass, too good to be true' like I did, it's not. The gameplay is fun, the progression is enjoyable, and the designs in the game are out of this world.”
- “The gameplay loop consists of doing events to acquire gear and upgrade said gear in turn upgrading your car, to take down bosses, and unlocking new vehicles and weapons by defeating said bosses.”
- “The gameplay is amazing, the graphics are nostalgic, and I love the fact that the developers' motto is, 'no bullscrap,' which is just amazing that there is a game that's just trying to be fun instead of robbing you of all your cash.”
- “With that being said, the gameplay loop feels really shallow.”
- “The cargo delivery mechanic is incredibly tedious.”
- “Now it's the same demo, with the downsides of a demo (it gets boring after 5-6 hours), and a bunch of useless game mechanics that don't solve the core issue of repetitive gameplay.”
graphics
152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique retro aesthetic, reminiscent of late 90s and early 2000s titles, which many players find charming and nostalgic. While some users noted the need for adjustments to improve readability and performance, the overall visual style, attention to detail, and smooth animations contribute to an engaging atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. Despite being simplistic, the graphics are well-executed and complement the game's fun mechanics and chaotic driving, making it a standout in the car combat genre.
- “The visuals are gorgeously nostalgic, but the lighting and small details push it beyond the old-school look; even the tires squash and stretch against the ground!”
- “Fumes fills a void where vehicular combat games of the PS1 era should be, it is a clean polished experience with great retro style graphics and physics, it runs like butter and it's fun and chaotic.”
- “The graphics add to the nostalgia, the gameplay is simple and fun, the controls are simple, there is no pretense, just fun.”
- “The game isn't finished and still has that cliché PS1 'indie' aesthetic which I am not the biggest fan of personally since it feels like nostalgia bait.”
- “The graphics were a bit hard to get used to for me.”
- “There's a filter that gets applied to the graphics, which are already low-poly and low-res textures, which makes it look even more retro than ever.”
story
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
78%
10%
The game's story aspect is currently minimal, with players noting a lack of plot and character development, as it primarily focuses on vehicular combat and mission completion. While the gameplay loop is engaging, featuring various mission types like combat, escort, and races, the repetitive nature of these tasks and the absence of a cohesive narrative detracts from the overall experience. Many reviewers express hope for future updates to introduce a more fleshed-out story and diverse mission structures to enhance immersion and depth.
- “The story (what I can gather) seems interesting and unique, looking forward to it being fleshed out.”
- “After finishing everything story-wise this early access had to offer, I'm glad to say I've had fun and am looking forward to seeing what comes next.”
- “It is a very fun, very well-crafted game where everything from the cars and how they handle to the guns and how they function, and the environments feel vast and open.”
- “The main issue the game has at the moment is that, despite how fun it is, it is extremely repetitive, as it's always the same type of missions, making it hard to play the game for too long.”
- “There's very little plot, and you mostly run around blowing up other cars and doing missions.”
- “The game would benefit from having a story with some missions that are less linear in their design, having multiple objectives instead of just one, while the game's current missions could be kept as side missions to earn extra upgrades.”
music
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its energetic and fitting soundtrack, often described as a "banger" that enhances the gameplay experience. However, many players note that the limited number of tracks leads to repetitiveness over time, with requests for additional music to keep the experience fresh. Overall, while the soundtrack is celebrated for its quality and atmosphere, there is a consensus that expanding the variety of music would significantly improve the game's appeal.
- “The game also has a fantastic retro visual style and an amazing soundtrack that gets the adrenaline going when a fight is about to start.”
- “Fast-paced, exciting, lots to do, tons of passion from the devs, and a soundtrack that never stops absolutely ripping.”
- “The soundtrack is killer with some bangers.”
- “The music loops in such a way that it just purely annoys you despite how cool it is and awesome it sounded at first, but dear god the fatigue of hearing it loop like elevator music.”
- “The soundtrack mostly consists of rather generic rock, which while fitting, I'd welcome it bringing a bit more character to the experience.”
- “Right now there's only about three music tracks in the game and the gameplay gets repetitive fast, but if you don't mind that, then there's a very fun game here.”
optimization
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users noting its smooth performance across a range of hardware, including lower-end systems and the Steam Deck. While some players experienced performance degradation after extended play sessions, the majority report stability, minimal bugs, and an immersive experience without the need for extensive graphical adjustments. The combination of retro visuals and solid optimization contributes to a fun and engaging gameplay experience.
- “The aesthetic is well-realized and highly configurable; it's optimized to run on potato-adjacent hardware and very stable. The handling is just the right amount of bouncy and unwieldy to be chaotic but manageable, and you can design and share custom skins for your cars in a very hassle-free editor.”
- “Performance is solid too—the game runs well on a range of hardware, including Steam Deck, which is a major plus for players looking for a portable fix of mayhem.”
- “Surprisingly polished and optimized, runs shockingly smooth and I have encountered literally no bugs or glitches.”
- “The only issue I've experienced so far is performance degradation after you play for a while.”
- “I found when I played the game for too long, the game took a massive performance hit.”
- “So you'll need to choose between performance and agility against stability and traction.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
18%
14%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of beauty and grit, featuring a retro-inspired art style that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the dynamic elements, such as weather changes and random encounters, which contribute to a spooky yet quirky vibe. The combination of a compelling soundtrack, engaging visuals, and a sense of exploration creates an immersive environment that elevates the gameplay significantly.
- “It's interesting, unique, clearly there's lore and things we're going to have to figure out. The combat is jumpy and responsive, the art style is incredibly tasteful and fun, and the atmosphere is honestly so cool and yet so spooky. Seeing giant machines is utterly petrifying in this game; it honestly does its job so well. I can't wait to see more!”
- “Visually, the art direction is superb - all the choices work together harmoniously to create a unique atmosphere that contrasts natural beauty and the grime of machinery.”
- “Day to night cycles and random weather changes add lots of additional beauty and atmosphere to the game.”
- “The atmosphere is somehow scary and wacky at the same time.”
- “Gritty old school visuals and a grungy soundtrack drive that punk rock atmosphere home.”
- “Exploration is rewarding, not just for loot, but for the atmosphere and chaos lurking around every corner.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
94%
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be tedious and repetitive, particularly with tasks like package delivery and mission repetition, which some players find boring and lacking in engagement. While the upgrading system and vehicle customization offer some interest, many feel that the overall gameplay is stretched out and requires excessive grinding, especially in the endgame. However, a few players appreciate the arcade-style progression, noting that it can feel less grindy when the gameplay remains engaging.
- “Grinding for rocket launchers is incredibly rewarding and adds depth to the gameplay.”
- “The grind in this game feels satisfying, especially when you finally unlock that powerful weapon.”
- “Investing time in grinding not only enhances your character but also makes the overall experience more enjoyable.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's very grindy where you keep doing missions over and over but it just does not feel like I'm actually putting in any effort-- making it a chore to play sadly.”
- “Cons: barely any story, gameplay is grindy and boring, only time you need to worry about your health is boss fights, cargo seems like a last minute addition and adds barely anything to the game.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
30%
Overall, the game's stability is praised, with many users reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs, especially on the Steam Deck. While some acknowledge the presence of glitches typical of early access, the majority find the game surprisingly polished and optimized, allowing for extended play sessions without issues.
- “Awesome combat, awesome graphics, and runs great!”
- “Bonus: only around 700MB, runs great for 4+ hours on Steam Deck OLED battery.”
- “Bug free so far.”
- “There are bugs and glitches, but I'm writing this smack-dab in the middle of early access.”
- “I have played it from start to early access finish (8 hours) and I have not seen any glitches.”
- “- surprisingly polished and optimized, runs shockingly smooth and I have encountered literally no bugs or glitches.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever pop culture references, amusing callouts, and entertaining physics, contributing to an overall fun and engaging experience. Players appreciate the blend of nostalgia and customization, with many noting that the humor enhances the gameplay, making it quick and enjoyable. Overall, the game's comedic elements are a standout feature that adds to its appeal.
- “I find myself laughing or smiling every time I read the callouts when you destroy a car, find a new reference, or just realize how strong a build is.”
- “Fun humor full of references (and when you're Polish, there are way more puns) and cool explosions in a fun aesthetic.”
- “Plenty of humorous pop culture references scattered in there as well.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The game is praised for its balanced mechanics and engaging gameplay, featuring a classic approach without the burden of microtransactions or additional launchers. Players appreciate the straightforward shooting mechanics that enhance the experience while maintaining a modern quality. Overall, the absence of monetization elements contributes positively to the game's enjoyment.
- “It's raw, but something old school with a modern take in good quality without any microtransactions or extra launcher.”
- “What a fun game with no microtransactions????”
- “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to progress at a reasonable pace.”
- “It's frustrating that essential items are locked behind paywalls, making it difficult to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
- “The constant prompts to purchase in-game currency disrupt the gameplay experience and take away from the fun.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
Players highlight the game's strong replayability due to dynamic weather, random encounters, and engaging combat mechanics, which contribute to an immersive experience. The retro graphics and user-friendly interface further enhance enjoyment, while suggestions for additional features like a "forge" mode indicate potential for even greater replay value, especially in multiplayer settings. Overall, the game is seen as having significant replay potential, especially for its price point.
- “The dynamic weather and random encounters add a lot of potential for replayability, and the overall atmosphere really elevates the game.”
- “The alpha version from itch already contained countless hours of fun, but this is now replayable to infinity. The amazing retro graphical style, several visual aesthetic filters, great physics coupled with terrain deformation, and well-executed combat make this very enjoyable. Lastly, the best user interface I've seen in an indie game; every single element looks alive and is very nicely synchronized with your vehicle.”
- “If it's possible, adding something like a 'forge' mode where you can create races or demolition maps would really enhance replayability, especially if co-op or multiplayer is added.”
- “I dunno if it'll have a lot of replayability, but so far the combat gameplay loop feels fantastic, and for $15, it's worth it.”
- “- if it's possible, adding something like a 'forge' mode where you can create races/demolition maps, this would really help with replayability, especially if co-op/multiplayer is added.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the game's strong emotional impact, praising its supportive community and engaged developers who foster a positive atmosphere. This connection enhances the overall experience, making it feel more personal and meaningful.
- “One of the greatest games with a great community and wholesome developers who are actually active and not ghosts in the Discord server.”