Tinker Racers
- August 12, 2020
- rumbora
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Tinker Racers" is a physics-based party game where players build and race their own unique vehicles. With various tracks, items, and customization options, it offers a fun and chaotic experience for up to 8 players locally or online. The goal is to reach the finish line first while causing havoc with an array of power-ups, making each race unpredictable and exciting.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Captures the nostalgic feel of Micro Machines with fun and simple gameplay.
- Great for local multiplayer, providing chaotic and enjoyable racing experiences with friends.
- Affordable price point makes it a worthwhile purchase for casual gaming sessions.
- Main menu performance is severely laggy, making navigation frustrating.
- Limited content with only a few tracks and no online multiplayer options.
- Frequent bugs and glitches, including crashes and issues with AI behavior during races.
- gameplay17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its fun and fluid mechanics, with tight controls and a nostalgic driving experience. While local multiplayer is enjoyable, the AI mode tends to be less engaging, and some players noted a lack of depth in mechanics, leading to a quick completion. Overall, the game captures a light-hearted essence with detailed graphics and a charming presentation, making it a worthwhile experience for casual play.
“The core gameplay is really nice and fun, performs well, controls are tight.”
“The gameplay is very fluid, the graphics are very beautiful, and the music is really good!”
“I really liked how the game was careful to capture the essence of micromachines: the elimination mechanics, the top-down view, the tracks around the house, the shouting when playing with friends haha ... but all in a 3D and more modern style.”
“And gameplay-wise, it was a bit annoying after a while that it's basically you vs everyone instead of everyone vs everyone.”
“It does not have a lot of mechanics and it will end surprisingly fast, but you'll have a bit of fun before it's done.”
“The gameplay and basic concept of the game is extremely simple and fun.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many users appreciating the cute, Micro Machines-inspired visuals and solid performance. While not ultra-realistic, the graphics are described as beautiful and effective, contributing positively to the overall gameplay experience. However, some players noted that while the graphics are better than average, they do not compensate for other gameplay issues.
“Cute graphics, very much in the veins of micro machines.”
“The gameplay is very fluid, the graphics are very beautiful, and the music is really good!”
“Very fun and with amazing graphics.”
“Graphics are acceptable, but some of the audio is beyond grating and there's only a single volume slider, plus resolutions and windowed mode, but no way to rebind controls.”
“The game has no ultra-realistic graphics or anything like that, but it delivers what it promises.”
“Tinker has way better graphics, but Penelope has shooting.”
- music12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it catchy and well-suited to the gameplay, others criticize it for being repetitive and unable to be turned off, which can be frustrating for those with sensitivity to sound. Overall, many appreciate the music's ability to enhance the gaming experience, particularly in creating an engaging atmosphere and providing feedback during gameplay.
“The music is really catchy, and the graphics are more than I could ask for.”
“The gameplay is very fluid, the graphics are very beautiful, and the music is really good!”
“Beautiful set of music and scenery that provide a very fun competitive environment.”
“Can't change camera, can't turn off the stupid music.”
“Very bad repetitive music.”
“If, like me, you have severe tinnitus, being unable to turn off the terrible music is a major game breaker.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is severely compromised, with reports of a broken menu, frequent freezes, and significant lag. While some minor glitches can be worked around, the overall experience is marred by these issues, leading to a perception of the game as abandonware.
“As of 2022, this game is pretty much abandonware that has a broken menu, freezes at the end of the tutorial, and does not work from that point on.”
“The main menu is really buggy and lags out really bad.”
“A few little glitches (like collision often turning off and you can drive straight through objects, and player 1 controller controlling 2 cars) but you are able to work around it.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The story emphasizes resilience and the unpredictability of life, highlighting that perseverance can lead to unexpected outcomes. However, some users noted a lack of a structured narrative, suggesting that the story may not be a central focus of the experience.
“The moral of the story is that you never know what life has in store for you. If I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“The game lacks a coherent story.”
“There is no story to engage with.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received criticism for noticeable stuttering, particularly in the menu and during gameplay, despite a reported stable framerate of 60 fps. Users have expressed a desire for a simpler, more responsive interface and noted the lack of button remapping options as a downside.
“I would rather have a more simple interface that is snappy rather than the unbearable stuttering.”
“A small downside is that it doesn't seem to have the option to remap the buttons, and I experienced some stuttering in the game menu.”
“I get a lot of frame stuttering in corners; my framerate monitor says I am getting a solid 60 fps when the stutter occurs. I don't know if that is just my hardware or if anyone else is experiencing it.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Tinker Races is praised for its humor, offering a fun and entertaining experience both solo and with friends. Players appreciate its creativity and polished execution, enhancing the overall comedic enjoyment of the game.
“Tinker Races is a really funny game to play alone or with your friends!”
“It is really funny to play with others.”
“Funny, creative, and very well polished.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, often requiring excessive time and effort to unlock tracks, leading some to feel that it demands a significant investment of time akin to needing a second life.
“A tedious way of unlocking tracks.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is likened to a vibrant toy playground, creating an enjoyable and immersive experience that leaves players eager for more content.
“Playing it feels so good; it has an atmosphere of a toy playground. I can't wait to get more tracks!”
“The game immerses you in a vibrant and whimsical world that feels alive and inviting.”
“Every level is filled with charming details that create a delightful and enchanting atmosphere.”
