The second half of 2023 is proving to be a packed period for new racing games releases. Released last week, The Crew Motorfest is giving Forza Horizon some serious competition. Forza Motorsport is also just around the corner, while EA Sports WRC is powersliding onto PC and consoles this November. There’s also Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged for arcade racing fans.
As we get closer to launch, Milestone has released a new Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged gameplay trailer revealing new game modes and details about the toy racer.
New game modes revealed for Hot Wheels Unleashed 2
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is launching with five core game modes. Two of these, Waypoint and Elimination were showcased in our hands-on preview. Waypoint sees you exploring the environment as you navigate checkpoints and find the fastest path to the finish. Elimination mode eliminates the player in last place every few seconds when time runs out.
As well as showcasing the vehicle types and crazy tracks, the trailer previews the three remaining modes: Drift Master, Grab the Gears, and Clash Derby. Drift Master is all about precision driving, with points awarded for keeping the car sideways and burning rubber as long as possible.
Taking places in arenas, Grab the Gears is an online battle mode where you collect as many gears as you can and bank them before time runs out. Finally, Clash Derby is a high-octane demolition derby event with monster trucks battling it out.
First look at story campaign
Unlike the first game, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 features a campaign with an “immersive and engaging” story. Dubbed Creature Rampage, the campaign sees you enter a city where “series of creatures mistakenly released by Professor Tanabe are sowing panic and wreaking havoc.”
It’s up to Robert, Darla, and their robotic assistant XR046 to battle these gigantic creatures and save the city. Previewed in the gameplay trailer, the story is told in animated comic book-style cut scenes.
Overall, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged looks like it will offer more of the same arcade racing action that made the original such a huge hit, expanded with more game modes, new vehicles and terrains, and a story-driven campaign.
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged is racing onto PS5, PS4 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on 19 October 2023. Players who pre-order the Legendary Edition can start racing earlier, with three days of early access starting on 16 October 2023.