"Pako: Car Chase Simulator" is an arcade driving game where you try to outrun the police in various getaway levels. The game features single player and local multiplayer modes for 2-4 players, 10 getaway levels, 5 challenge levels, and 14 different cars. Power-ups, guns, and various customization options are available to enhance gameplay.
The game features a fun and addictive gameplay loop, with a good variety of power-ups and vehicles to unlock.
The retro art style and soundtrack create an enjoyable atmosphere, reminiscent of classic car chase movies.
Local multiplayer mode adds a great social element, making it fun to play with friends.
The controls can be frustrating and unresponsive, making it difficult for beginners to enjoy the game.
The game can feel repetitive after a short time, with some players finding it lacks depth and variety.
There are significant differences between the mobile and PC versions, with the PC version missing content and having some bugs.
gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
The gameplay is characterized by its straightforward mechanics of driving, collecting power-ups, and evading police cars, making it easy to learn yet challenging to master. While many players find it fun and engaging for quick sessions, some express frustration with control issues and restrictive map design that hinder the overall experience. Despite its beautiful graphics and potential, the unforgiving nature of the gameplay and lack of updates for critical issues have led to mixed reviews.
“Super fun both for singleplayer and local split screen; easy to learn, hard to master with cool twists on its core gameplay mechanics.”
“Quick, challenging and fun gameplay for just 5 minutes and then one more try and one more try and...”
“The gameplay in Pako is very straightforward; you simply accelerate, brake (powerslide), and activate powerups as you evade a constantly-pursuing throng of police cars (and later tanks) in a variety of arenas for as long as you can.”
“The controls and gameplay drag a bit behind where they need to make the experience as heart-pounding as the soundtrack.”
“Beautiful concept and graphics, but I got very frustrated with the unforgiving gameplay and gave up.”
“Speaking of environment, the map design is narrow and the maps are small and restrictive, and there isn't much to do in the map despite the huge potential the game mechanics could have taken advantage of.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
25%
5%
The music in the game is generally praised for its superb electronic soundtrack, with many tracks evoking a nostalgic vibe reminiscent of the Hotline Miami soundtrack. While some tracks may not resonate as strongly, the overall experience is enhanced by the fun and relaxing nature of the music, making it a highlight of the game. However, some players feel that the gameplay mechanics could better match the energy of the soundtrack.
“Good fun game and amazing soundtrack, recommended you buy when on sale.”
“What's not to like about driving small cars in a VHS background to an electronic soundtrack?”
“Music is superb!”
“The controls and gameplay drag a bit behind where they need to make the experience as heart-pounding as the soundtrack.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
24%
13%
The game's graphics are generally praised for their cool art style and beautiful, minimalist 3D design, with a nostalgic, cartoonish aesthetic. However, some players noted that the graphics show signs of being ported from mobile platforms, with occasional glitches and less smooth scrolling. Overall, while the visuals are appealing, they may not stand out significantly in the gaming landscape.
“Cool art style and well-made game.”
“The game graphics are 3D and minimalist, which I love.”
“The first thing to attract my attention was the simplistic and adorable cartoonish graphics and soundtracks with a retro vibe, as well as the menu design in harmony with this nostalgic direction.”
“There are a few graphical glitches from time to time, but nothing that will detract too much.”
“The graphics are not very smooth scrolling either.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The reviews highlight a lack of depth in the story, particularly for games like Pako, which focus more on gameplay mechanics than narrative. However, there is an underlying moral about perseverance and the unpredictability of life, suggesting that even simple games can convey meaningful themes.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by frustration and humor, as players express exasperation over the punishing mechanics that lead to frequent deaths from minor contact. Despite this, the game is recommended for those who enjoy fast-paced challenges, highlighting a mix of irritation and enjoyment in the gameplay experience.
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The monetization model of the game is praised for its absence of intrusive microtransactions, offering a rich content experience reminiscent of classic mobile games. Reviewers appreciate the focus on simplicity and quality, highlighting it as a refreshing departure from typical monetization practices in the genre.
“Like the best phone game you ever played but with a ton of content and no dumb microtransactions.”
“It was one of those phone games that wasn't cringy or full of microtransactions, but instead implements the classical idea of simplicity, which I believe is what a good mobile game should have.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences occasional graphical glitches and is considered somewhat buggy across both versions. However, these issues do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
“Both versions are still quite buggy and need some fixing, but that doesn't affect the enjoyment it provides.”
“There are a few graphical glitches from time to time, but nothing that will detract too much.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game excessively tedious, particularly criticizing achievements that require defeating an unrealistic number of zombies, which they describe as "dumb" and "unbelievably grindy."
“That should be, like, 1000 zombies or something... very dumb, unbelievably grindy achievement. I hate it.”
“That should be, like, 1000 zombies or something... very dumb, unbelievably grindy achievement. I hate it.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers significant replayability due to its endless nature, allowing players to engage with it repeatedly without a definitive endpoint.
“It is an endless game with huge replayability.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its likability and clever references, such as the square level, which alludes to a significant historical event in their country.