Is it a tech demo or a game? When I was a little jaguar I had a really cool handheld LCD lane changer game called race 'n chase. Look it up if you want. Despite (or because of ) the tech limitations in the 80s, race 'n chase was completely absorbing, even though it was just a lane changer racer /cross/ space invader thingy. But the fairing was cool af and all my fellow cubs were well jel.
I wanted to write this review as a purposeful spite to another similar game I recently reviewed which did it all wrong. This does it all right. On the face of it, it is JUST a 4-lane endless racer with an 80's aesthetic. On the face of it, all you will do is race a completely straight, endless track dodging cars (or not) while buying and upgrading new cars (which are purely aesthetic and for maintaining interest - almost all are completely unnecessary to how the game is played.) There are also a few different game modes, but honestly - while appreciated - they are just fluff too
But this is how you focus on what your game is and what is meant to be, and don't deviate. Our simplistic gamer brains quickly work out that's all it is, but it is good and numbers go up. And it is so well implemented. Devs note - this is what art-design / art style is compared to pretty graphics without design. This is what focussing on the game design is to make it work for a player no matter how simple, and making people want to play it. And come back to it. And remember, I am talking about a simple 4-lane straight road dodge cars endless chaser. That really is it.
I've put 6 hours in, clearly others have put in dozens, based on the online leaderboards. Sometimes, Race 'n Chase is all you need at a certain time, as long as the game is honest that...that's all it is. Just done really, really well.
It is a perfectly formed simple video game. But the answer to my initial question is that, actually, it is a brilliant tech demo. A demo for a game that is now out. Not for this review to say how good that game is, make up your own mind. But this one is a brilliant reminder to what the word 'development' means when we talk about game dev. If the love that went into this simple, basic game goes into a bigger, better, stronger development then I support how this dev works and what their aims are 100 %
(which is why I chose to buy the extra tracks for a measly £2 but you absolutely don’t need to)
A simple, effective, focused rewarding unashamedly old-skool arcade racer with great production values
izigame.me
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