Star Racer Ditches Early Access: F-Zero Meets Need for Speed with a Side of Alien M.O.M.
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
*Star Racer*, a combat racing game inspired by classics like *F-Zero* and *Wipeout* where you play as an alien trying to outrun the cops, has finally launched out of early access, offering a blippy, bloopy adrenaline rush for retro gaming fans with a need for speed (and explosions). According to RPS, the game features music from Grant Kirkhope and a character named Thrash Whiplash, which is just brilliant.
Right, so Rock Paper Shotgun's Mark Warren (cheers, mate!) flagged this one, and fair dinkum, it sounds like a blast from the past with a modern twist. *Star Racer*, a game that's apparently been kicking around in Early Access for a bit, has finally zoomed its way to a full 1.0 release. Now, I know what you're thinking: another racer? But hold your horses (or should I say, alien space frogs?) because this ain't your average Sunday drive.
Think *F-Zero* meets *Wipeout*, chuck in a dash of *Need for Speed*'s frantic police chases, and you're getting close. You pilot a ship, blast your rivals to smithereens, and try to outrun "The Fuzz" – who, by the sounds of it, are less gritty cop drama and more cartoonish chaos. Whatnot Games, the folks behind this retro-fueled frenzy, funded their project via Kickstarter. Brennan Anderson, one of the devs, mentioned on Steam that this 1.0 release is just the start. They're still squashing bugs and have big plans, including online multiplayer. (Online multiplayer, you say? Now you're talking!)
The game features a free demo that Warren over at RPS gave a whirl. You get a taste of the adrenaline rush with a limited selection of tracks and characters. Warren started as M.O.M. (yes, that's the name) piloting the Flipping Frog. Sounds… interesting. He mentioned that the courses are zippy and that, although draining energy and crashing out is possible, there's also the chance to fly for a bit. Death races are also available, where taking out the competition via ramming and spinning is the goal.
And the soundtrack? Oh, it's only got Grant Kirkhope (of *Donkey Kong* and *Banjo-Kazooie* fame) and Mason Lieberman on board. No biggie. (That's sarcasm, by the way. It's a massive biggie!). Plus, and this is the kicker, one of the characters is called Thrash Whiplash. Honestly, that name alone is worth the price of admission. Rock Paper Shotgun pointed out the game's Steam page, which you can check out to get it. So, if you're hankering for some high-speed, ship-blasting, cop-evading action with a retro vibe, *Star Racer* might just be your cup of tea. Or, you know, your space-slushie of choice.
Tags: racing, retro, indie games, combat racing, space shooter
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun