The real problem with Smash Cars though is that it feels like a huge missed opportunity. It is an arcade racer that could be incredibly fun as a jump-in-and-play-with-friends game. Unfortunately there is no local multiplayer. I was amazed to discover this as having played the single player I was excited to sit down and play some local vs. races. The fact modern games have a tendency to rely on online gaming is something I long ago came to terms with, but for a game like this that leans so heavily on these gaming conventions that are so perfect for playing with casual gaming friends it just seems like a huge miss-step.

 

 

To further compound the lack of local multiplayer there is no one playing the game online, at least none of the three I tried to find a game. I don’t mean all the games were full, I don’t mean I had to race with just one other player, I mean there was no one to play. It is a great shame because I suspect that this would be a game that would be five times better playing against a real opponent and ten times better playing against friends.

 

 

As entertaining as "Smash Cars" could be for people looking for a solid arcade racer it is dogged by a punishing difficulty curve and (current) lack of multiplayer. Without the online community to support it this is a game that will simply wallow in mediocrity. It manages to take a half step to realizing its R.C. racing predecessors appeal but stumbles and falls before it can provide the experience I was hoping it would recapture.

 

 

+ Fun arcade racing
+ Charming style and environments
+ Could be really good with friends

 

- Punishing difficulty curve
- No local multiplayer and no one online
- Not many courses if you are good