Gear.Club Unlimited aims to merge the heart-pounding, hair-raising world of racing with the convenience of the Nintendo Switch. Developed by Eden Games and published by Microïds, this game tries to rewrite racing history by casting you in the driver's seat with everything from sleek hypercars to speedy pick-ups. But does it manage to cross the finish line, or does it spin out before reaching the podium?
So, what's it like to actually race in Gear.Club Unlimited? Picture this: you're behind the wheel of a black beauty-potentially a McLaren 570S or maybe even a shiny Ford Mustang GT. Either way, you start your journey as a newcomer, creeping through the gates of racing, earning virtual pennies to upgrade and buy new cars. The game features four racing categories (A, B, C, D) and 32 uniquely licensed cars, which is like a Pinterest board of fast metal instead of cats. As you progress, you'll unlock multiple zones that reflect the charm of Southern Europe. A casual note: I hope you enjoy scenic routes and views because the AI isn't the smartest tool in the shed; they're about as effective as a raccoon at a car convention. Oh, and let's talk modes. There are three different racing types-Race, Rally, and Time Attack-like picking your favorite ice cream flavor, but they might just be about as unfulfilling if you ignore the *rewind feature.* Yes, that's right; if you smack a wall or miss a turn aiming for glory, Gear.Club allows you to "rewind" time and fix your mistakes. Think of it as your second chance to avoid catastrophic embarrassment, aka the 'oops-I'm-a-noob' safeguard. Ultimately, while the core gameplay is fundamentally solid, certain repetitive races and a lack of AI competency leave a bit to be desired-this may lead to consequences like quickly sinking into an existential crisis about your racing skills.
Visually, Gear.Club Unlimited gives racing game enthusiasts an experience that feels like a well-concocted alchemy of speed and style-especially for a Nintendo Switch title. The game runs at 1080p in docked mode, aiming for a steady 30 fps. The graphics lean towards the pleasant gradient of fine art versus a full-fledged racing simulation, with some nice car details and engine roars that make you feel like you're in a Fast & Furious movie. However, don't squint too closely, because you might just catch visual hiccups that come with the price of glorious portability. At the end of the day, you're not going to mistake this for a AAA title, but it does a credible job at looking good while you zoom around bends, so it deserves a round of applause for its effort!
Gear.Club Unlimited tries to provide a full racing experience wrapped up in the charming little package that is the Nintendo Switch. It's great for those looking for a fun time without needing to break the bank on microtransactions (yes, that's right-none here!). Its solid car roster and accessible gameplay are likely to win over the casual racers among you, but there's no denying that it suffers from some mild AI issues and repetitive gameplay. Overall, if you're looking to scratch that racing itch while perhaps avoiding the bigger, more demanding titles, this could be just the ticket for a casual Sunday race, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!