Trackmania

Trackmania's thrilling speed and simplistic style make it an easily accessible racer that will thrive on a dedicated, creative community who have the patience to navigate its subscription model and basic menus.

77%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

monetization, grinding

79% User Score Based on 13,816 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

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About Trackmania

Trackmania is a single player and multiplayer arcade shooter game. It was developed by Nadeo and was released on February 2, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Trackmania, the racing franchise from Ubisoft Nadeo, is back with the most compelling remake of Trackmania Nations.

+16

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Looking for games like Trackmania? Here are top arcade shooter recommendations, selected from player-similarity data — start with TrackMania² Stadium, TrackMania² Canyon or Trackmania Turbo.

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Reviews

79%Audience ScoreBased on 13,816 reviews

gameplay180 positive mentions

monetization111 negative mentions

Fair yearly subscription model offers access to most content without microtransactions, appreciated as reasonable and non-predatory.
Fast-paced, skill-based arcade racing gameplay with crisp controls, varied car and track styles, and addictive mechanics providing high replayability.
Vibrant, polished graphics and a fun, chaotic atmosphere enhanced by a fitting energetic soundtrack and a supportive, passionate community.

Heavy restrictions on free access, pervasive in-game and real-world style ads, and intrusive data collection criticized as cash grabs undermining experience.
Performance issues including crashes, stutters, frame rate drops, and occasional bugs negatively impact smooth gameplay on various systems.
Significant portions of gameplay and popular features locked behind subscription paywall, frustrating players who find the grind tedious and content access limited.

gameplay
453 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40% positive mentions, 57% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions
The gameplay of Trackmania is widely praised for its fast-paced, skill-based, and addictive arcade racing mechanics that strike a balance between being easy to learn and hard to master. It features crisp controls, deep and nuanced mechanics, and extensive track variety that provide infinite replayability and a rewarding learning curve. However, many players criticize the steep learning curve due to minimal in-game tutorials, the heavy reliance on community content, and significant portions of gameplay locked behind a subscription paywall.
- “The depths of the mechanics, the variety of different track styles and even 4 different cars offer a wide range of possibilities that are just waiting to be explored, and every player can find what he enjoys the most.”
- “Trackmania is a super fun arcade racing game with solid physics, crazy track designs, seasonal content, and endless community-made content, with gameplay that is easy to learn but very hard to master.”
- “Whether you're drifting around sharp corners, soaring through air-filled jumps, or threading the needle through tight chicanes, the gameplay loop is laser-focused and insanely addictive.”
- “Most if not all of the game and its gameplay features are locked behind a yearly subscription which is actually reasonable in terms of price/cost, but still a predatory way to handle how one "owns" the game and is (un)able to play it (Ubisoft is the publisher, this should be the first warning sign).”
- “Game is a lot more fun to watch someone play than to actually play yourself... very little to do without paying, and even some really dumb stuff is behind a paywall like leaderboards for times... as much as I love racing sims and arcade racers both, I can't seem to find a way to enjoy this one, and it honestly barely feels like a racing game to me... the focus is more on learning mechanics, knowing when to intentionally slam your car into a wall, and figuring out the jank of each track... I honestly should have expected to not like it considering it's a racing game that a lot of people prefer to play on keyboard which means there is clearly something about it that makes it nothing like other racing games...”
- “Requires you to pay a subscription for things you could do for free in TMNF (most of which is community made so Nadeo is essentially charging you other people's work!), runs way worse than TM2 despite having less detailed graphics, oversimplified out the game's entire visual style and identity (seriously, just look at the dirt road blocks!), new stadium car with little to no room for liveries on it (not to mention you even need a subscription to paint your car now), no other environments but stadium, requires community tools for basic gameplay features (why do you need Openplanet to click and drag editor blocks or to see your speed in cam3?!), downgraded map editor without features that have existed in every prior TM game like terraforming, constant updates to the physics making some old records unbeatable, and not to mention official tracks' leaderboards get frozen every few months, essentially taking away the main goal of the game which is the constant competition and breaking years old records that were previously thought unbeatable.”
monetization
218 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6% positive mentions, 43% neutral mentions, 51% negative mentions
The game's monetization relies primarily on a yearly subscription (~$20), offering access to most content without microtransactions, which some praise as fair compared to typical free-to-play models. However, many players criticize the heavy restrictions on free access, pervasive in-game advertisements—including real-world ads on billboards—and data collection for personalized ads, viewing it as intrusive and a cash grab that undermines the experience. Overall, while the subscription model avoids microtransactions, the integration of ads and limited free content leaves a divisive impression on the community.
- “Yes, some might whine about the subscription format, but in my eyes a mere $20/year is a fair price when you consider this is a live service business and there are no microtransactions.”
- “Very reasonably monetized, no microtransactions, plenty of official and community-made content.”
- “I'm tired of games with predatory microtransactions and I think it's great that I can just pay 20€ annually and get the entire game.”
- “Cash grab without prior warning, ads everywhere, classic Ubisoft.”
- “Huge LCDs with ads in maps that you have paid 20€ to even access is BS, I have no idea how Ubisoft can get away with that.”
- “The core game is fun, but I can't support it after having previously paid for the game and having had access to the majority of the game revoked after Ubisoft restructured the monetization model.”
graphics
194 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47% positive mentions, 48% neutral mentions, 5% negative mentions
The game's graphics are generally praised for being vibrant, polished, and well-suited to its fast-paced, arcade-style aesthetic, offering a smooth and visually engaging experience even on lower-end systems. While some users prefer the older titles' art styles or find the visuals less impressive compared to cutting-edge racing games, the overall consensus highlights clean, colorful, and crisp visuals that enhance gameplay without demanding excessive hardware. However, performance issues and limited graphic settings on low-end devices are noted as drawbacks.
- “The graphics are crisp, and the lighting effects add a layer of intensity to the experience, making every race feel exhilarating and alive.”
- “The visuals in Trackmania are vibrant and eye-catching, with each environment offering a unique look that complements the game's overall dynamic feel.”
- “While it might not push graphical boundaries, its crisp aesthetic and smooth performance make it easy to focus on what matters—perfecting your line and beating the clock.”
- “The game is broken, if you temper with graphics settings it keeps crashing.”
- “As soon as I get outside the training stages and into the campaign mode, the stages are so elaborate that the framerate tanks to about 10fps, even with all resolution and graphics settings at their lowest possible.”
- “Also after a year even graphics got worse somehow, no amount of anti-aliasing can deal with those "stairs" on every visible line.”
grinding
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
0% positive mentions, 20% neutral mentions, 80% negative mentions
Grinding is a central and often polarizing aspect of the game, with many players finding the repetitive pursuit of better times and medals both challenging and rewarding, especially for those who enjoy skill improvement and competition. However, the grind can feel tedious or overly demanding due to limited content variety and some paywalled features, causing frustration for casual players. Overall, fans of competitive time trials and leaderboard climbing will find the game’s grind addictive and satisfying, while others may see it as monotonous and content-starved.
- “This game is a repetitive, barebones experience padded out with grindy progression and locked content.”
- “There’s no racecraft, no wheel-to-wheel action—just endless resets and grinding the same track until muscle memory replaces fun.”
- “-I also don't get the whole aspect of grinding this game; in any other game if you grind and get better you actually feel accomplished like CSGO or Rainbow Six. You grind, you get better, you feel better and actually accomplish something. In this, you grind a map for 6 hours to get a medal. Big whoop, what's the point? Genuinely, it's either gonna get taken or be wiped and forgotten about or just never cared about to begin with, so who cares.”
optimization
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27% positive mentions, 49% neutral mentions, 24% negative mentions
Optimization in this game is highly inconsistent, with some players experiencing smooth performance even on older or weaker hardware, while others report frequent stuttering, crashes, and poor frame rates—even on mid- to high-end systems. The game's demanding performance, especially on platforms like Steam Deck, combined with occasional lag spikes and technical issues, detracts from the experience for many, though some find it well-optimized for precision racing when stable. Overall, optimization improvements are needed to provide a consistently smooth experience across all supported devices.
- “The game runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware, prioritizing high frame rates that support precision control.”
- “The game is extremely optimized and runs great even on weak hardware.”
- “Graphics are really nice, gameplay and controls are smooth and it's optimized well.”
- “- Poor performance (Steam version exclusive issue!): When driving on a map at any given time, the game may stutter incredibly badly for up to 3 or 4 seconds, which once even caused my car to not be registered when I reached the goal, meaning I had to throw away a decent run.”
- “For starters, I could barely even play this game because it is very performance-heavy compared to other Trackmania games. I can only run this at 10 fps on minimum settings while both TM Turbo and TM Nations ran like butter at 60 fps.”
- “The cars still handle terribly, the physics seem to be tied to frame rate which often drops even though the game looks poor, it crashes after every race with RAM insufficient error even though I have over 16GB free, and it crashes my browser and Steam along with itself. It apparently has ads, no Steam integration, Uplay + Denuvo required despite being a free game, and seems always online but I already uninstalled before I could make sure.”
music
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29% positive mentions, 57% neutral mentions, 14% negative mentions
The music in this game receives mixed reviews: some praise its energetic and fitting soundtrack that complements the fast-paced gameplay, while others find it generic, repetitive, and inferior to previous installments, with occasional technical issues like music cutting out. Many note a lack of memorable tracks and customization compared to older titles, resulting in a less engaging auditory experience overall.
- “The soundtrack complements the fast pace without overwhelming the experience, maintaining an energetic but unobtrusive atmosphere.”
- “The game’s soundtrack is equally impressive, providing an energetic and upbeat backdrop that perfectly matches the game’s pace.”
- “The music pumps you up and adds to the adrenaline rush as you navigate each turn with precision, heightening the thrill of each race.”
- “To top it all off, the music kept randomly cutting out and/or pausing for several seconds between loops.”
- “The general artstyle and music is very mediocre, nothing memorable unlike previous versions, it feels like a complete step backwards.”
- “Also, the main menu music is absolutely awful.”
story
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7% positive mentions, 69% neutral mentions, 24% negative mentions
Most users agree that the game has little to no traditional story, focusing instead on racing mechanics and challenges. Some mention minimal campaign structure with no narrative depth, while others highlight gameplay and customization as the main attractions rather than story elements. Overall, the story aspect is either absent or very limited, appealing primarily to players seeking pure racing experiences without a narrative.
- “The story is very deep.”
- “A good game to play when you have a spare 10-30 minutes and do not want to engage with any story-intensive titles.”
- “It may not have the flashiest graphics or the most intricate storyline, but it more than makes up for it with its heart-pumping racing action, incredible community, and endless customization options.”
- “☑ no story”
- “Make it free or make it a game you have to buy, but this pseudo-free game where you can play a handful of mission tracks solo and one daily map, while 99% of the content displayed in almost any menu is followed by 'join our subscription' is misleading cashgrab.”
- “You cannot do this with the free version with the only option to play the 'campaign' (which has no story so is essentially just a series of tracks).”
stability
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 79% negative mentions
The game generally runs well and is optimized for various systems, but it is plagued by frequent bugs, glitches, and occasional freezes that can disrupt gameplay. Ubisoft Connect and launcher issues further affect stability, leading to frustration for many players. While some glitches are embraced as gameplay features, the overall experience is hindered by inconsistent performance and unstable online elements.
- “The game is extremely optimized and runs great even on weak hardware.”
- “Runs great on almost any machine, including the Steam Deck.”
- “Gameplay is essentially bug free and very clean.”
- “This ass game still freezes multiple times a run for 0.5 seconds and it makes it impossible to play well consistently.”
- “This was not always the case, but it has seriously affected my ability to play and enjoy the game, as these random freezes usually ruin my run, forcing me to start all over again.”
- “Game is nigh unplayable with constant stutters and freezes because the game's folder in my documents directory gets set to read-only.”
humor
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated for its chaotic, fast-paced racing combined with amusing physics glitches and quirky car antics, creating a fun and lighthearted experience. Players enjoy the game's playful tone, entertaining modes like battle royale, and funny in-game moments, often describing it as hilariously chaotic and charmingly quirky. However, some humor arises from ironic or critical comments about the game's marketing and monetization practices.
- “Verry funny game about cars breaking the laws of physics.”
- “It's the fast and the furious meets Swan Lake, and it's hilariously chaotic!”
- “On a positive note, the game brought over a lot of what made TMNF fun: nearly identical physics, creative map editor, and a lot of funny techniques & bugs that cater for players of all map styles.”
replayability
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49% positive mentions, 43% neutral mentions, 8% negative mentions
Trackmania offers virtually infinite replayability driven by its precision driving mechanics, challenging official maps, and a thriving community that continuously produces creative, user-made tracks and events. While the extensive content and competitive aspects provide long-term engagement, access to much of this replayable content requires a paid subscription, which may dampen the experience for some players. Overall, the game's strong physics, variety, and social features make it highly replayable for those with full access.
- “Its emphasis on precision driving, community creativity, and time-based competition creates an experience that is endlessly replayable.”
- “The official maps are brilliant in their flow and challenge, but it's the player-created content that gives the game near-infinite replayability.”
- “Trying to shave milliseconds off your best times or tackling the latest community creations provides endless replay value.”
- “However, the replayability is dampened by the fact that you have to spend 15 bucks for most of the game, 30 if you want all the content.”
- “The change to make only maps 1-10 playable on the starter makes this game so much worse.”
- “Once you pass through the obnoxious Ubisoft paywall of $20/year, you gain access to a full 25 track seasonal campaign (only the first 10 tracks are playable on a free account), the cup of the day, ranked matchmaking, all online community servers, and an infinite amount of community-made tracks and campaigns (which are just better than anything the devs make).”
emotional
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
The game evokes a wide range of strong emotions, from uplifting joy and deep community connection to intense frustration and rage, creating a visceral and memorable experience. Its wholesome, supportive player base stands out as a major positive, while challenging gameplay and occasional design issues can lead to emotional highs and lows. Overall, it fosters a passionate emotional engagement that resonates deeply with many players.
- “This creates a deep emotional connection between me, the keyboard, and whatever poor object is being launched across the map at dangerous speeds.”
- “The emotional moment when you almost win and then get launched into another dimension really changed me as a person.”
- “It's uplifting, varied, and brings together communities that make for some of the most wholesome (however sus) groups you can imagine.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 50% negative mentions
The atmosphere in Trackmania 2020 is energetic and engaging, with a soundtrack that complements the fast pace without being overwhelming. While the stadium setting may feel limiting compared to previous games, players appreciate the freedom to create diverse tracks and unique biomes, resulting in varied and visually appealing environments.
- “Every sound added to the atmosphere of 'something is going wrong but I am having fun.'”
- “The soundtrack complements the fast pace without overwhelming the experience, maintaining an energetic but unobtrusive atmosphere.”
- “The colorful, futuristic environments are a visual treat, each track offering its own distinct atmosphere and challenges.”
- “Trackmania 2020 is great if you like stadium car and think acceleration penalty is a fun mechanic, otherwise it's often just a downgrade from previous games, especially in terms of atmosphere.”
- “"Every sound added to the atmosphere of 'something is going wrong but I am having fun.'"”
- “It's only stadium, so far at least, but they give you a lot of freedom when creating your own tracks to the point where you can really make your own biomes and atmosphere.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
0% positive mentions, 100% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions
Users view character development as a meaningful and integral part of the experience, with some appreciating that challenges and frustrations contribute to the growth of the characters.