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Hot Wheels Unleashed

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Hot Wheels Unleashed
Item: Hot Wheels Unleashed
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2021

GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Vehicular, Single Player, Multiplayer, Racing

AvailableSep 27, 2021

PlatformPC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One

DeveloperMilestone S.r.l

Overview

Collect the best vehicles in the Hot Wheels universe, build spectacular tracks and dive into breathtaking races. The most iconic and sought after Hot Wheels vehicles are waiting for you. Get ready to make them race at full speed!

Elsewhere

6.2

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

100%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

In terms of positives regarding the Story of Hot Wheels Unleashed, reviewers like MGG and Nintenderos highlight the inclusion of a story mode that adds depth to the gameplay experience. MGG specifically mentions the narrative arc of racing against monster bosses to restore order in Hot Wheels City, which adds a sense of progression and purpose to the races. Nintenderos appreciates the City Rumble mode, which offers a story-like progression through various challenges, providing hours of entertaining gameplay through races, time trials, and boss battles. However, on the negative side, critics such as GameCritics and Press Start Australia express disappointment in the story aspect of Hot Wheels Unleashed. GameCritics describes the story as laughably bad and feels tacked-on, lacking significance to the overall gameplay experience. Press Start Australia criticizes the story for being presented through an overworld map of events but not being well-developed or engaging. These criticisms suggest that the story may not be a strong selling point for the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards the story aspect of Hot Wheels Unleashed not being a standout feature of the game. While some reviewers appreciate the inclusion of a story mode and the progression it offers, others find it lacking in depth and engaging elements. TheSixthAxis highlights the main campaign mode as focusing more on challenges to unlock cars and customization options rather than a compelling narrative. In conclusion, while the story may add some context to the gameplay, it seems that the majority of critics feel that it falls short of making a significant impact on the overall experience of Hot Wheels Unleashed.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Hot Wheels Unleashed's story mode receives mixed reviews. Some praise the narrative arc and City Rumble mode for adding depth and purpose to gameplay, while others criticize the story as laughably bad and lacking engagement. Overall, the majority of critics agree that the story is not a standout feature, with focus shifting more towards unlocking cars and customization options rather than a compelling narrative.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

73%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Hot Wheels Unleashed has garnered praise from several critics for its fast-paced arcade racing experience, engaging drift mechanics, and variety of challenges. Critics like Game Informer and Gamer.no appreciate the entertaining and thrilling races, with rewarding speed and clever course design. Gameblog.fr highlights the focus on mastering drifts and turbo boosts, offering a variety of challenges and rewards. TheSixthAxis commends the game for capturing the essence of racing Hot Wheels cars, with well-controlled drifts and a range of difficulty settings. The gameplay's emphasis on skillful driving mechanics, track memorization, and mastering drifting adds depth and enjoyment to the racing experience. On the flip side, some critics have pointed out shortcomings in Hot Wheels Unleashed's gameplay. Noisy Pixel and Impulsegamer criticize the unbalanced difficulty, frustrating AI opponents, and generic car physics that do not feel like toy cars. IGN Adria raises concerns about the reliance on random loot box mechanics, challenging car unlocks, and unbalanced physics. PlayStation Universe notes that some tracks are overly long, affecting the balance and enjoyment of races. These criticisms highlight issues with AI behavior, difficulty levels, and certain gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of Hot Wheels Unleashed is mixed. While the game excels in providing a fun and exhilarating arcade racing experience with a focus on drifting, boosting, and skillful driving mechanics, it also faces criticism for its unbalanced difficulty, uninspired tracks, and frustrating AI behavior. The game's variety of challenges, customization options, and track editor feature are appreciated by many reviewers, adding replay value and creative opportunities. Despite some flaws in gameplay mechanics and balancing issues, Hot Wheels Unleashed manages to offer an enjoyable racing experience that appeals to fans of arcade-style racing games.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Hot Wheels Unleashed gameplay praised for fast-paced racing, drift mechanics, and challenges by some critics, but criticized for unbalanced difficulty, frustrating AI, and generic physics by others. Offers fun arcade racing experience with focus on drifting and skillful driving, but faces mixed reviews for flaws in gameplay mechanics. Customization and track editor add replay value.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

67%

Mixed (50-79)

32%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics praised the graphics and visual design of Hot Wheels Unleashed, highlighting the attention to detail in the car models, diverse track designs, and the overall nostalgic feel of playing with Hot Wheels toys. Critics like IGN Adria and Gamer Escape commended the stunning visuals, with IGN Adria specifically mentioning impressive ray tracing technology and intricate details like scratches and fingerprints that enhance the visual experience. The detailed toy car designs, diverse environments, and visually appealing tracks were also noted by PC Games and Everyeye.it, emphasizing the game's ability to excel visually in capturing the essence of Hot Wheels playsets. On the flip side, some critics expressed concerns about the lack of visual variety in tracks and environments, making them feel repetitive and not truly memorable. GameSpot and AusGamers pointed out issues with the presentation and aesthetic coherence, with AusGamers specifically mentioning that the City Rumble mode didn't reflect the 'toys-to-life' aesthetic well. Additionally, BaziCenter and Comicbook.com criticized the game for looking more last-gen than next-gen, lacking visual enhancements and regressing in lighting techniques compared to previous generations. These criticisms suggest that while the game excels in certain visual aspects, there are areas where improvements could be made to elevate the overall visual experience. Overall, despite some criticisms regarding visual variety and last-gen aesthetics, the general consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive towards the graphics and visual design of Hot Wheels Unleashed. Critics like Vandal and Worth Playing praised the attention to detail in the vehicle models, environments, and track designs, with Vandal specifically mentioning the engaging presentation during races. The game's ability to capture the essence of playing with Hot Wheels toys, the stunning realism of the cars, and the impressive track editor were highlighted as key strengths by critics such as Hooked Gamers and IGN Italia. In conclusion, while there are minor areas for improvement, the majority of critics found the graphics and visual design of Hot Wheels Unleashed to be visually appealing, detailed, and successful in bringing the world of Hot Wheels to life in a captivating way.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics mostly loved Hot Wheels Unleashed for its detailed car models, diverse tracks, and nostalgic appeal. They praised the stunning visuals, but some found the lack of variety in tracks and last-gen aesthetics to be drawbacks. Overall, critics agree that the game successfully captures the essence of playing with Hot Wheels toys, with room for minor improvements.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

23%

Mixed (50-79)

62%

Negative (0-49)

15%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Hot Wheels Unleashed are varied. Some positive aspects highlighted by reviewers include the immersive sound effects that enhance the racing experience. Critics like LevelUp, TierraGamer, and New Game Network commend the sound effects for creating a heightened sense of excitement during races. Additionally, PlaySense appreciates the interactive music feature that dynamically responds to gameplay actions, adding a cool element to the overall experience. Meristation also praises the game for showcasing excellent sound design, special effects, and a fitting soundtrack that enhances immersion. On the other hand, several critics point out negative aspects of the sound design and music in Hot Wheels Unleashed. Common criticisms include the lack of creativity and finer details in the sound design, as mentioned by BaziCenter and Comicbook.com. Game Informer and Gamer Escape criticize the music for being grating, repetitive, and easily tuned out, with the former even turning off the music entirely. Critics like Atomix, Impulsegamer, and SpazioGames describe the music as generic, forgettable, or lackluster, not adding to the overall experience. Some reviewers also note that the soundtrack may feel repetitive, such as Games.cz, MGG, and Stevivor. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed reception of the Sound Design and Music in Hot Wheels Unleashed. While some reviewers appreciate aspects like immersive sound effects, dynamic music, and excellent sound design, others find the music lacking in creativity, repetitive, and forgettable. The game seems to have divided opinions, with some critics like Worth Playing and GameGrin enjoying the music that complements the gameplay, while others like GameSpot and Press Start Australia find the soundtrack lacking variety and memorability. Despite some positive feedback on specific elements, the general sentiment suggests that the Sound Design and Music of Hot Wheels Unleashed may not have fully met the expectations of all reviewers, with room for improvement in terms of creativity and variety to enhance the overall experience.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics are split on the Sound Design and Music of Hot Wheels Unleashed. Some praise the immersive sound effects and dynamic music, while others criticize the lack of creativity and repetitive nature. Reviews range from commendation for enhancing the racing experience to disappointment in the generic and forgettable soundtrack. Overall, opinions are mixed, with room for improvement noted by various critics.

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

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Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

56%

Mixed (50-79)

44%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of technical performance on the PlayStation 5, Hot Wheels Unleashed received positive feedback from multiple critics. Atomix praised the game for its impressive technical performance, including 4K resolution, stable 60fps, and fast loading times. Meristation also commended the game for running smoothly at 60 FPS on the PS5, with impressive lighting effects and effective utilization of the DualSense controller. Push Square noted that the game runs smoothly at 60 frames-per-second without any noticeable issues. Additionally, Jeuxvideo.com highlighted the smooth gameplay experience and support for adaptive triggers and haptic feedback on the DualSense controller, enhancing the overall immersion for players. On the flip side, some critics pointed out specific technical issues on the PlayStation 5 version of Hot Wheels Unleashed. Gameblog.fr mentioned significant challenges in driving mechanics, collision detection issues leading to frustration, and connectivity problems in online mode. Gamers' Temple reported issues with multiplayer, such as being dropped from lobbies and players being disconnected during races. Despite these drawbacks, IGN Italia noted only minor menu issues, suggesting an overall stable gameplay experience on the PS5. Across all gaming platforms, the consensus among critics regarding Hot Wheels Unleashed's technical performance is generally positive. While some platforms like the Nintendo Switch faced minor issues such as frame rate drops and graphical imperfections, critics like Starbit and Nintenderos highlighted stable performance and detailed car models. On the Xbox Series X, critics like Gaming Age and Player 2 praised the flawless online play and smooth handling of the game without framerate stutters. However, some technical issues like item recognition problems were noted on the Xbox Series X by VG247. Overall, the majority of critics appreciated Hot Wheels Unleashed for its solid technical performance across various gaming platforms, with only a few minor hiccups detracting from an otherwise enjoyable gameplay experience.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics laud Hot Wheels Unleashed for its stellar technical performance on the PlayStation 5, with smooth 60fps, 4K resolution, and DualSense controller features enhancing gameplay immersion. However, some critics flagged issues like driving mechanics and online connectivity problems. Despite minor setbacks, the game shines on other platforms like Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch, offering stable performance and detailed visuals. Overall, Hot Wheels Unleashed impresses with solid technical execution across platforms, with a few minor glitches.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

35%

Mixed (50-79)

60%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The critics generally praised Hot Wheels Unleashed for its variety of content and features that contribute to its replay value. Positive aspects highlighted by reviewers include the extensive track editor, the large selection of cars to collect, and the potential for creative track design and sharing. Critics like GameSkinny and GameSpace appreciated the track editor and unlockable content, while Gamer Escape and Generación Xbox found the game to offer hours of entertainment with its diverse game modes and creative track design options. On the other hand, several critics pointed out various factors that detract from the game's replay value. Issues such as a grindy progression system, limited customization options, and reliance on randomized loot boxes for vehicle acquisition were mentioned by critics like IGN Adria, BaziCenter, and SpazioGames. The repetitive gameplay, lack of content depth, and challenges in online multiplayer were also highlighted as drawbacks by reviewers such as LevelUp and MGG. Additionally, the RNG-based unlock system and potential repetitiveness in the long term were concerns raised by Eurogamer Italy and TierraGamer. Overall, while Hot Wheels Unleashed received praise for its track editor, diverse game modes, and creative potential, it also faced criticism for its grindy progression system, limited customization options, and potential repetitiveness in gameplay. The consensus among critics seems to be that the game offers a solid amount of content and features that contribute to its replay value, but certain aspects like the reliance on loot boxes and repetitive gameplay elements may hinder its long-term appeal. Critics like TheSixthAxis and GameCritics acknowledged the game's potential for replayability with its unlockable content and track editor, but also noted the need for improvements in certain areas to enhance the overall experience.

TL;DR

replay value

Hot Wheels Unleashed impresses critics with its track editor and diverse game modes, offering hours of entertainment. However, concerns arise over grindy progression, limited customization, and reliance on loot boxes. While the game has replay value, repetitive gameplay and RNG unlock system may impact long-term enjoyment. Critics appreciate its features but suggest improvements for a better experience.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

43%

Mixed (50-79)

55%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Hot Wheels Unleashed has garnered praise from several critics for its engaging gameplay, impressive visuals, and nostalgic appeal. Critics like Player 2 and God is a Geek commend the game for its commitment to the Hot Wheels theme, solid racing mechanics, and superb customization options. The diverse selection of cars, creative track designs, and the powerful Track Builder tool are highlighted as key strengths by Xbox Achievements and Meristation. The game successfully captures the essence of Hot Wheels, offering a fun and methodical racing experience that appeals to fans of toy cars and arcade racers alike. On the flip side, Hot Wheels Unleashed has faced criticism for various shortcomings that hinder its overall experience. PC Invasion and Hardcore Gamer point out issues such as unbalanced AI difficulty, awkward physics, lack of track variety, and gacha mechanics that detract from the game's potential. Critics like GameSkinny and LevelUp mention obstructive unlock systems, grindy progression, and repetitive gameplay modes as drawbacks that can impact the overall enjoyment of the game. These criticisms suggest that while Hot Wheels Unleashed has its strengths, there are notable areas where it falls short in delivering a fully polished and immersive racing experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding Hot Wheels Unleashed is mixed. While some, like GameGrin and GameOver.gr, consider it a standout racing title that excels in its genre, offering impressive visuals and enjoyable gameplay, others, such as IGN Adria and PC Games, highlight its shortcomings in outdated gameplay elements and uninspired music. The game is generally praised for its nostalgic appeal, engaging racing mechanics, and potential for improvement through updates and DLC. However, the criticisms regarding lack of depth, unbalanced gameplay elements, and repetitive content suggest that Hot Wheels Unleashed may not fully meet the expectations of all players. Despite its flaws, the game manages to provide a fun and entertaining experience for fans of the Hot Wheels brand and arcade racing enthusiasts, with room for growth and enhancement in the future.

TL;DR

Hot Wheels Unleashed: Critics applaud its engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and nostalgic charm, praising the themed racing experience and robust customization. However, criticisms point out issues like unbalanced AI, limited track variety, and grindy progression that hinder the overall enjoyment. While some see it as a standout title with potential for updates, others note outdated elements and uninspired content. In the end, the game offers fun for Hot Wheels and racing fans, but falls short in delivering a fully polished experience.

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Reviews

158 reviews found

100

Finger Guns

PlayStation 5

Sep 27, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Hot Wheels Unleashed is a standout kart racer that captures the essence of playing with Hot Wheels cars in a digital format, recommended for fans of kart racing games and Hot Wheels enthusiasts.

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Digital Chumps

PlayStation 5

Oct 6, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer describes 'Hot Wheels Unleashed' as a game that is as close as you can get to a kid's dream, with some slightly clunky elements but overall handling like a dream.

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GameGrin

Oct 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Hot Wheels Unleashed is a must-play game for Hot Wheels fans and racing game enthusiasts of all ages. It successfully brings childhood imagination to life with engaging gameplay and extensive customization options. The game offers great value for its cost and provides a unique racing experience.

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Gaming Age

Xbox Series X

Sep 30, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review praises Hot Wheels Unleashed as a full-fledged racing game that offers a lot of fun for the whole family, regardless of whether you're a Hot Wheels fan or not. It mentions that the multiplayer could use more fleshing out, but overall the game controls fantastically.

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IGN Portugal

PlayStation 4

Oct 4, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Hot Wheels Unleashed is described as one of the best arcade racers of the year, with a visual design that pays homage to the iconic toy cars.

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Hey Poor Player

Sep 27, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Hot Wheels Unleashed is a fantastic racing game with first place potential, offering a fresh and engaging experience in the genre, with room for improvement to become the casual racing game of the decade.

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God is a Geek

PlayStation 5

Sep 27, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is praised for its incredible looks, nostalgic feel, solid racing mechanics, and superb customization options. It is described as a great time and a brilliant arcade racer.

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GameOver.gr

PlayStation 5

Oct 14, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A standout racing title that excels in its genre, offering impressive visuals, enjoyable gameplay mechanics, and a refreshing break from more serious racing titles. Promises long-lasting entertainment and has received positive feedback.

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Atomix

PlayStation 5

Sep 27, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Highly enjoyable arcade racing game with fast-paced gameplay and creative track designs. Offers a solid choice in a competitive racing game market. Great option for fans of arcade racing games and the best Hot Wheels game available.

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TierraGamer

PlayStation 5

Sep 28, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A fantastic game for fans of toy cars, successfully combining nostalgia with engaging gameplay, worth trying for Hot Wheels enthusiasts.

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