Jun 2017
Buckle up, folks! In the world of animated racing, you may think you know all there is to know about fast rides, friendly faces, and furious racing. But ‘Cars 3: Driven to Win’ offers a pixelated pit stop where the depth of character development goes as deep as a puddle after it rains—moody lightning storms included! But does it drive players to the finish line or straight into a wall? Let's take a closer look, shall we?
The game drives players through an exhilarating, if not slightly chaotic, tour of different racing modes meant to get the thrill seekers racing each other—because who doesn't enjoy blasting your friends with a green tortoise shell? The gameplay consists of six distinct modes: Race, Battle Race, Takedown, Stunt Showcase, Best Lap Challenge, and a sandbox mode dubbed Thomasville Playground. The beauty of this game is variety. One moment you’re trying to ace the fastest lap in all of Radiator Springs, the next you’re collecting hats like it’s a fashion show gone awry. Lightning McQueen is the star, flexing his charm and girlish good looks while taking on challenges orchestrated by Chick Hicks—who is basically the villain that’s so bad, former movie-goers boo him like he’s a magician performing an awful trick. Fortunately, we also get to jockey around in Cruz Ramirez’s vibrant form or even channel your inner Jackson Storm to bring some serious “storm” vibes to your gameplay. Players can collect Skill Checks to unlock better racers and have even more chaotic fun in the racing roster, which has a total of 23 characters (taking “friends and family” racing to a whole new level). What’s cooler? As you play, the game subtly teaches you the fundamentals of racing, so you can finally win in real life and impress that crush you’ve been trying to woo! In typical Avalanche style, the game is brimming with challenges that may even elicit some timely rage quits. Skids and skill checks are everywhere, and the amount of unlockable content offers just enough grind to warrant a good old-fashioned kid-at-the-candy-store joy. Not to forget, the inclusion of “Master Level” events will make you wish you had a Fast Pass. Unlock characters like Dr. Damage or Mountain Master and then face off against them—because nothing says ‘family fun’ like a little friendly competition, right?
The graphics can be described as vibrant and cartoony, capturing the spirit of the beloved franchise while making your screen resemble a cheerful painter threw up pixelated rainbows. Joyful colors leap from the screen, and lighting effects feel adequately flashy for a race car game that may have been designed for younger audiences, but you, the 18-year-old gamer, deserve fun too! Character designs are not only adorable but quite distinct, with each having their own quirky attributes and animations—much like your daily life. Just switch ‘car’ for ‘human’. It’s a visual treat for fans who grew up with Lightning McQueen’s adventures, and it sparks nostalgia like your mom returning your favorite ice cream flavor after a grocery run.
Overall, ‘Cars 3: Driven to Win’ is a delightful romp through the world of animated racing, where characters from the beloved franchise come to life in a wholesome way. This game may not leave you shattered with emotional depth, but it serves as a hearty appetizer for younger gamers—ideal until the next big title shows up. As you drift through life’s race, you may find that this charming adventure was just the spark you needed to rev up your gaming engines. So if you ever want to put the pedal to the metal while staying friction-free, go for it! Grab your controller, cherry-pick your character, and prepare for a joyride that will feel anything but juvenile. And hey, if it falls flat, at least you have other rainy-day racers and memes to keep you tight on the fun meter. Score: 7/10. Good, but could use a little turbo boost!
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