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Hot Lap Racing

67%Game Brain Score
optimization, music
graphics, gameplay
67% User Score Based on 52 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchPCPCSteam DeckSteam DeckWindowsWindows
Buy Nowfrom $29.99
Buy NowGet on Steam$29.99

About

"Hot Lap Racing" is a thrilling "simcade" racing game featuring a dynamic physics engine and over 50 licensed and customizable cars from various motorsport classes and eras. Compete in over 70 track layouts spanning GT to Formula 1, including real-world circuits like Zolder and Salzburgring. Embark on a career as a young driver, challenge real champions, or race against friends and online opponents in this immersive motorsport experience.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Hot Lap Racing screenshot
Hot Lap Racing screenshot
Hot Lap Racing screenshot
Hot Lap Racing screenshot
Hot Lap Racing screenshot
Hot Lap Racing screenshot

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 52 reviews
optimization10 positive mentions
graphics6 negative mentions
  • The game features a great selection of cars and tracks, including some rare models, which adds to the overall appeal.
  • The sense of speed is well-executed, making the racing experience feel thrilling and engaging.
  • The local multiplayer mode allows for fun couch racing with friends, which is a rare feature in modern racing games.
  • The AI is poorly designed, often crashing into players and making races frustrating due to their lack of awareness.
  • The graphics are subpar, with environments and trees looking outdated and poorly rendered, detracting from the overall visual experience.
  • The handling feels inconsistent across different car classes, leading to a frustrating driving experience that lacks the desired arcade feel.
  • graphics
    45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users comparing them to outdated PS2-era visuals and even stating that some Roblox games offer better quality. While car models and cockpit designs are noted as decent, the overall graphical fidelity is marred by low-quality environmental elements, particularly the trees, which detract significantly from the experience. Many players express a strong desire for graphical improvements, indicating that the current state is a major concern for their continued enjoyment of the game.

    • “The game is mainly built for the Nintendo Switch, but despite that, I don't mind the graphics of the game.”
    • “If the game were to receive graphical improvements, the trees would absolutely change the look of the game for the better.”
    • “Please improve the graphics or saw lines.... super fun now after the last update.”
    • “Graphics are generally poor; environments look straight out of the PS2 era, even if the car models and cockpits are pretty good.”
    • “The trees are mainly just low-quality sprites, and while serviceable, they dent the graphical fidelity of the game much more than one would think.”
    • “The visuals make my eyes burn (for lack of a more detailed explanation), and the camera makes every car feel uncontrollable.”
  • optimization
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization on the Nintendo Switch has received mixed reviews, with players noting that while it can run smoothly on certain tracks, significant frame drops occur on others, indicating a need for further optimization. Many users express disappointment that the game's realistic graphics may have hindered performance, suggesting that a more stylized approach could have improved gameplay. Additionally, performance on the Steam Deck is also highlighted as an area for improvement.

    • “The game can run smoothly on some tracks and have significant frame drops on others; bots don't affect the frame rate too much, and the game visually looks decent.”
    • “Optimizations would be great as this game was mainly targeted as a premier Switch racer.”
    • “Despite being such a small team, Zero Games Studios has brought new cars, features, content, bug fixes, gameplay fixes, and performance fixes in only two updates.”
    • “Like, instead of going for some cool stylization that might have helped with performance on the Switch, we get realism puke.”
    • “Steam Deck performance could be improved.”
    • “Despite being such a small team, zero game studios have brought new cars, features, content, bug fixes, gameplay fixes, and performance fixes in only two updates.”
  • music
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is consistently praised as a standout feature, with many users describing the soundtrack as both great and an "understated banger." Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its quality and ability to enhance the gaming experience.

    • “The soundtrack is an understated banger.”
    • “The music goes hard.”
    • “Nice soundtrack.”
    • “Soundtrack is an understated banger.”
    • “Decent soundtrack tho.”
    • “Also yeah they weren't kidding, music goes hard.”
  • humor
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game stems from the intentionally poor AI performance, which is described as comically bad, akin to "getting lapped in a 4 lap race." Players find amusement in the AI's clumsiness, particularly with the v10 F1 car's tendency to hilariously mishandle kerbs.

    • “AI is absurdly awful, like 'getting lapped in a 4-lap race' awful, but it's funny to watch.”
    • “In particular, the V10 F1 car in T4 has a massive likelihood to trip over any kerb you look at even slightly funny.”
  • gameplay
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay has received significant criticism, with multiple users expressing disbelief that it successfully passed testing, suggesting serious flaws or issues in its design and execution.

    • “Hard to believe it has passed gameplay testing.”
  • story
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The "story mode" of the game is consistently described as fun, indicating that players find the narrative engaging and enjoyable.

Buy Hot Lap Racing

6h Median play time
6h Average play time
6-6h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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