Publisher: THQ, www.thq.com
Ages: seven and up.
Parental
Advisory:
Vehicle
combat
What kid hasn't dreamt of somehow shrinking down in size and driving their favorite toy cars? For this, THQ's Hot Wheels Velocity X lets kids drive Hot Wheels cars and race and battle to their heart's content. The game offers lots of furious driving and action that is worthy of the Hot Wheels brand. In fact, it's Hot Wheels on steroids.
The title is a high-speed, mission-based arcade racing adventure. As an arcade game, it features liberal physics and car handling. It seems that a criminal gang of street racing villains has overtaken Monument City. And as a result, players have to crush the enemy by competing in missions where they race other cars; execute wild, gravity-defying stunts that include speeding through loops, driving up walls, flipping cars while in the air, and more; and battle the enemy.
The adventure mode, which is the most fun, asks players to accomplish multiple goals and race and battle other cars, deliver items, or participate in arena combat. The game's levels are varied and interesting. The challenge modes ask players to accomplish a task in a limited amount of time. The battle mode offers arenas, power-ups and action that's comparable to those in many vehicle fighting games.
The title offers some 30 Hot Wheels cars, intriguing destructible levels and an arsenal of weapons. The game also offers a fun stunt system that lets kids get some air with their cars and then rotate and try to land them. Battles are bloodless and losing cars simply self-destruct.
The environments and cars look great. The game also features some entertaining multi-player modes that let players race and fight against each other. Overall, Hot Wheels Velocity X is a satisfying game with lots of elements that will appeal to youngsters. It's a definite keeper.
2/25/03 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
