Horizon Chase 2 Xbox Series X Review
| Game: | Horizon Chase 2 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Epic Games |
| Developer: |
Horizon Chase Turbo was a well-crafted arcade-style racing game that nostalgically recalled genre classics of the 1990s. Adding to its retro charm, the Brazilian developer Aquiris enlisted Scottish composer Barry Leitch, renowned for his music in the Top Gear and Lotus games, to create the game’s soundtrack.
Horizon Chase 2 continues this retro-style excitement, a welcome continuity given the success of the previous game. While maintaining its classic appeal, it also brings welcome improvements in multiplayer and visuals. Barry Leitch returns to compose the soundtrack, which is very welcome.
The game features a World Tour mode, where you’ll likely spend most of your single-player time. This mode can last over four hours or even more than six if you aim for 100% completion. There are numerous tracks set in six different countries, including the USA, Thailand, and Japan, and you can unlock a variety of upgradeable cars.
The tracks are diverse and well-designed, with each country offering a unique experience. Some tracks feature weather changes or shift from day to night, enhancing the visual appeal. The sense of speed is exhilarating, especially when you unlock faster cars. Some tracks feature narrow sections, adding a challenging element, making the races even more intense.
The game retains the token system, including blue coins for vehicle upgrades and additional nitro shards and boost pick-ups. However, the fuel icons from the original game are absent this time around. While their absence is noticeable, it doesn’t significantly detract from the overall experience.
Horizon Chase 2 handles much like its predecessor, which has its pros and cons. Originating on mobile devices, the handling has a noticeable auto-steer, making it less satisfying compared to the best in the genre and minimizing the need for drifting or braking. However, it’s still highly enjoyable, especially when you’re speeding along at full throttle or using boosts.
This time, the game offers an expanded multiplayer experience, including both split-screen and online multiplayer modes. Split-screen can accommodate up to four players, but disappointingly, each player must have a separate account, with no option for guest players. The online mode supports cross-play, theoretically increasing the player base. However, in my experience, most online games are filled with AI opponents due to the lack of available human players.
The game also includes a tournament mode, where you compete in various race series and accumulate points. The overall winner is determined by who has the most points at the end of the series. As you might expect, this mode is also available in multiplayer.
Visually, the game is a significant improvement over its predecessor. While the original’s basic and chunky look had its own charm, the sequel features more detailed and vibrant graphics with a cartoonish appeal. The speech bubbles also make a return, adding to the game’s presentation and character, though they can be turned off if you’d prefer. Barry Leitch’s soundtrack is also a fantastic complement to the racing action, enhancing the overall experience.
In conclusion, Horizon Chase 2 successfully builds on the strengths of its predecessor while introducing meaningful improvements and features. The enhanced visuals, enjoyable World Tour mode, and expanded multiplayer options make it a compelling choice for fans of retro-style racing games. While the handling retains some of its auto-steer characteristics from the series’ mobile roots, which may not satisfy all racing purists, it remains enjoyable, especially at high speeds and during boosts. Despite online player shortages, the game offers a thrilling experience, amplified by Barry Leitch’s excellent soundtrack. All in all, while it doesn’t quite match up to the gold standard of arcade-style racers, Horizon Chase 2 is still well worth your time.
