Years ago, car combat games were one of the most popular sub-genres, with different series competing for video game consumers' attention and hard earned cash. Although those games aren't as prevalent these days, Keen Games' has attempted to resurrect the once popular game type with their latest release, TNT Racers. Developed in Germany, TNT Racers is a fast-paced, frenetic game that requires quick reflexes, memorization of its tracks and some great video game driving skills.
The main selling points for this downloadable release are its unique style, over the top gameplay and multiplayer mayhem. Although it doesn't have any storyline to speak of, the game is essentially a three-part driving competition, separated into normal, fast and turbo events. As with the Mario Kart franchise, each event category means an increase in speed and challenge. The game's forty-five different challenges are split up into three fifteen-event chunks - one for each speed or difficulty differentiation. It's a basic set-up for a racing game of this style, although there's no inherent glue to stick these events together, making the game feel somewhat lifeless. You are at least playing against three other named opponents, but the names are random, creating a lack of continuity or anything to grasp onto, such as a rival.
I personally found the name of the game to be somewhat misleading. The fact that it is called TNT Racers made me think that it was going to be a fast-paced, arcade racing experience, like Mario Kart. However, there's no real racing mode to be found in this package. Instead, each of the game's forty-five different events is separated into one of several different event types, none of which involve fighting to be the first car to reach the finish line. The only event types that are similar to a traditional racing game are two events where you must try to complete a specific task in a certain amount of time. One mode has you trying to finish a certain amount of laps and another has you doing that while avoiding cones or mines. Other events see you fighting for survival against three other players to earn points related to how long you last, picking up coins and using items to score the most points or crashing into as many objects as you can within a certain amount of time. You must earn first place to progress to the next challenge.
Instead of using a camera that closely follows the action, the developers decided to use a static overhead camera, which moves with the leader of the pack. This top down perspective is interesting, because it makes it look like you're racing toy cars and makes it child friendly. However, it also makes it difficult to know what is coming up around the next turn, sometimes. This wouldn't be as annoying if the cars controlled well, but they don't. The controls are very floaty, making it difficult to take corners perfectly, pick up coins you see on-screen or even win events. It becomes frustrating because the game requires precision driving for a lot of its events and the precision just isn't there.
Luckily, using items is quite easy and can be accomplished at the touch of a button (press A to use an item or press B to drop it so that you can pick up another one.) Like in Mario Kart, item pods are scattered around each track. When you pick them up, you get a random item, such as a candy turret, confetti mines, a tesla shield that electrocutes opposing cars or a plunger with a weight attached that will slow an enemy vehicle down. I was impressed with the variety of weapons available and their strategic uses.
The game features eighteen different tracks, which are unlocked as you progress through the game and play different modes. Several of them are just mirrored versions of other tracks, though. There is some nice variety within the design of the tracks, as they feature varied landscapes, track types and weather conditions (such as one track that features low visibility due to a sand storm.) The arctic tracks are quite slippery, which makes it harder to speed past opponents or corner perfectly, adding some depth to the experience with its added challenge. But most of the tracks are devoid of any sort of gimmick or unique qualities despite their visual appearance, and primarily play the same way. For those who like to try to get the best lap times possible, a Time Trial mode is also available.
It also features several different unlockable vehicles, in addition to the cars that are available at the beginning. The variety is nice, but the different vehicles don't feature unique abilities or stats, which I feel is a missed opportunity. It is still nice to be able to choose your favourite vehicle design and colour, though. It's just too bad that there's no strategy involved within your choice.
It is important to note that you only have one life in this game. If the leader gets too far ahead of you, then the camera will pass over you and destroy your vehicle. Your vehicle will also be destroyed if you lose all of your health (which can be replenished if you find and use a toolbox item pick-up.) However, one major change to the formula that TNT Racers presents is shadow mode. If you are taken out by an opponent or by falling too far behind (which is easily done,) then you are resurrected as a shadow. You earn smaller amounts of points in score-based modes and cannot use the regular weapon pick-ups, but this mode allows you to pick-up coins and thwart other racers. This can be done by picking up a ray gun that will slow its target down for a short period of time, or by using a hammer that stuns opponents' vehicles, even making them fly into the air for a couple of seconds. This way, players are always in on the action. I found shadow mode to be one of the better ideas implemented into this release.
Online multiplayer is available for up to four players within one match. The host is able to select a single event or tournament setting. Most of the single player modes are available online. However, I had a hard time finding a match and, when I did, it was usually just with one other player. What I did get to try of the multiplayer worked quite well, though. I didn't experience any issues with lag or any exploits.
Presentation-wise, TNT Racers is a mixed bag. It features a colourful visual palette that features some nice animated animals and effects on the tracks, as well as some nice backdrops. The cars themselves look pretty good, each with their own unique design, but some of the colours that you can choose tend to look alike (such as yellow cars looking orange.) Despite being a fast-paced game, especially during turbo challenges, the game's frame rate runs well. I didn't experience any frame rate slowdown or hiccups, which was nice.
However, the game's audio design is one of its major downsides. Playing through the game, you'll hear the same sound effects over and over again, as there isn't much variety. They sound okay, though. I wish I could say that about the game's original soundtrack though, as its jazz tunes don't really fit into the experience and can be somewhat annoying. One major issue I experienced with the sound in this game (twice actually,) was that it would occasionally cut out. The sound effects wouldn't register, then the music would cut out, and then it'd eventually be silent. I'd have to quit the game and restart it to get the sound back.
Throughout the experience, I was wondering who this game was meant to be targeted towards. Its colourful visual style and exaggerated designs are reminiscent of something that would be targeted towards families and their children. However its difficulty becomes so challenging, requiring several tries just to complete some tasks, that it just wouldn't be fun for a younger gamer to play past the normal stages. I've been playing video games for years and it took me a while to complete a few of the challenges. The difficulty really ramps up starting at its mid-way point. The game suffers from an identity crisis for these reasons. It's far too challenging to be marketed towards children and it's a game type that most veteran gamers won't have much interest in.
I don't want to make it seem like TNT Racers is a horrible game. It's just that there isn't much to recommend about it. Everything about the experience is safe and has been played before over and over again in superior games such as Diddy Kong Racing or Twisted Metal. But, with that being said, TNT Racers isn't a broken game and it features quite a bit of content. There is fun to be had, especially with friends, but its frustrating difficulty may dismay some gamers. If it had seen more time in development and had some unique design ideas added into it, it could've been a sleeper hit. However, it's unfortunately just an uninspired game that will most-likely end up falling through the cracks into anonymity.
Rating: 5/10
TNT Racers was released for the XBOX Live Arcade on February 9, 2011. It is also scheduled to be released on the PlayStation 3, PSP and WiiWare.
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