Hot Wheels Unleashed

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hot Wheels Unleashed
Hot Wheels Unleashed cover art.jpeg
Developer(s)Milestone
Publisher(s)Milestone
Designer(s)Federico Cardini
SeriesHot Wheels
EngineUnreal Engine[1]
Platform(s)
ReleaseSeptember 30, 2021
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Hot Wheels Unleashed is a 2021 racing video game developed and published by Milestone for the Hot Wheels series of toyline by Mattel. The game was released on September 30, 2021 for the Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows.

Gameplay[]

Hot Wheels Unleashed is a racing game played from a third-person perspective. In the game, the player assumes control of vehicles from the Hot Wheels franchise, and raced against other opponents in miniature tracks set in various everyday locations and environments such garage, kitchen and bedroom. The vehicles featured in the game can be extensively customized. 66 different cars would be available at launch.[2] The game also features a career mode, a time trial, and a track editor.[3][4] The game supports up to 12 players in an online session, though players can also compete with another player in a local split-screen multiplayer mode.[2]

Development[]

The game was developed by Italian developer Milestone, the company behind the MotoGP games and the Ride series, and marks the first console game based around the property since 2013 [5][6] Milestone pitched the idea to Mattel in 2018 although they didn't expect them to take up the offer.[7] Milestone desired to create such a game after realizing that although they specialized in sim racers that was a "niche of the niche" and the racing genre itself was quite crowded with lead game designer, Federico Cardini telling Polygon "could me make a game to the level of, I don’t know, Gran Turismo? Technically speaking, yes. Should we go head to head with Gran Turismo? That does not sound like a great idea."[6] The game uses a physics system similar from Milestone's other games, heavily modified so that the cars would be able to perform stunts the series is known for. The team wanted to base the gameplay on physics because they felt that many other Arcade racers felt "scripted" with the cars not reacting to the players action.[6]

According to Cardini, the lead game designer of Hot Wheels Unleashed, the development team desired to accurately replicate Hot Wheels vehicles to a "1:1 ratio" in the game. Using this method, the team added in many subtle details to the cars and maps.[5] Cardini described the in-game garage as the "inspiration to the entire game", noting its many characteristics.[5]

Marketing and release[]

The game was officially announced on February 25, 2021.[8] The game released on September 30, 2021 for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S.[9] Milestone also had plans to support the game extensively with downloadable content upon launch.[10]

Reception[]

According to review aggregator Metacritic, the PC and PlayStation 5 versions received "generally favorable" reviews,[12][14] while the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series X versions received "mixed or average" reviews.[11][13][15]

Awards and accolades[]

Hot Wheels Unleashed was nominated for Best Sports/Racing Game at The Game Awards 2021.[24]

Sales[]

Hot Wheels Unleashed was the fourth best selling title in United Kingdom behind FIFA 22, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Sonic Colors: Ultimate.[25] On December 20, 2021, Milestone announced that the game has sold 1 million copies, becoming the fastest-selling title ever for the publisher.[26]

References[]

  1. ^ Mat, Paget (December 13, 2021). "Unreal Engine developers take center stage at The Game Awards 2021". Unreal Engine. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Borthwick, Ben (September 27, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed burns rubber in launch trailer". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  3. ^ Winslow, Jeremy (February 25, 2021). "New Hot Wheels Unleashed Racing Game Launches This September From MotoGP Devs". GameSpot. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  4. ^ Filliani, Alessandro (April 9, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Is What You Imagined Hot Wheels Were As A Kid". GameSpot. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Reilly, Luke (May 28, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Wants to Make Arcade Racing Fans Feel Young Again". IGN. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c S good, Owen. "Hot Wheels Unleashed's studio dreams big with a tiny toy idea". Polygon. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  7. ^ Young, Patrick. "Hot Wheels Unleashed Interview: Milestone Talks Influences, Development, and Crossovers". Gamerant. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  8. ^ Stewart, Marcus (February 25, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Brings Arcade-Style Racing To Consoles And PC This September". Game Informer. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  9. ^ S. Good, Owen (February 25, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed brings the orange plastic track to consoles this fall". Polygon. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  10. ^ Romano, Sal (August 31, 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed DLC plan announced". Gematsu. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Hot Wheels Unleashed for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  12. ^ a b "Hot Wheels Unleashed for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  13. ^ a b "Hot Wheels Unleashed for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  14. ^ a b "Hot Wheels Unleashed for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  15. ^ a b "Hot Wheels Unleashed for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  16. ^ Handley, Zoey (30 September 2021). "Review: Hot Wheels Unleashed". Destructoid. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  17. ^ Miller, Matt (1 October 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Review – Simple, Satisfying Speed". Game Informer. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  18. ^ Carr, James (1 October 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Review - Toybox Drift". GameSpot. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  19. ^ Reilly, Luke (1 October 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed Review". IGN. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  20. ^ Cagnard, Max (27 September 2021). "Test de Hot Wheels Unleashed". Jeuxvideo.com. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  21. ^ "Hot Wheels Unleashed Review (Switch)". Nintendo Life. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  22. ^ "Hot Wheels Unleashed Review (PS5)". Push Square. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  23. ^ Erskine, Donovan (27 September 2021). "Hot Wheels Unleashed review: Pedal to the plastic". Shacknews. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  24. ^ Ankers, Adele (16 November 2021). "The Game Awards Nominations Announced". IGN. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  25. ^ "UK Sales Charts: Sonic Colours Ultimate Blocks Hot Wheels Unleashed from Podium Finish". Push Square. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  26. ^ "Hot Wheels Unleashed sales top one million". Gematsu. December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""