As I’ve mentioned in the past, it’s always great to see indie devs tackle a familiar genre in their own little way. Just to see what they can do, y’know? Besides, aside from F-Zero 99, you don’t see Nintendo rushing off to do it, right? Enter Star Racer, WhatNot Games’ inspired clone that will literally keep you on the edge of your seat.
The game is a tough ‘un, a racer that challenges you at every turn. That’s fine, because the later tracks in F-Zero for SNES did the same thing to an extent. You’ll journey across laps, using whatever speed you can to stay ahead of the competition while avoiding crash outs. And you’ll do it with an abundantly cool cast of characters, each with their own special perks.
Star Racer offers plenty to do, including thrilling event races and a main mode with plenty of unlockables. That said, it isbetter with a controller, as playing with a keyboard is more difficult than it needs to be. Also, the game is tough, so don’t be surprised if you get frustrated over the first few runs. There’s also no online multiplayer, though four-player local is a gas.
Stick with it, I say. Despite its high learning curve, Star Racer offers enjoyment aplenty. The presentation is akin to Nintendo’s 16-bit classic, complete with StarFox inspired stages. And the extras are well worth unlocking. It can be a bit tough going, but this ride might eventually win you over. It sure did for me.
Star Racer Takes You To Racing Heaven (and Hell)
When you jump into Star Racer, you’ll be wowed by how quickly the retro style wins you over. This feels just about right on the F-Zero front, complete with an energy meter and challenge aplenty at every turn. That means watching out for competitors and dangerous debris on the track.
That said, there is a difficulty curve you need to accept. The first couple of times, you may even “crash out” as a result, forcing you to start over. Don’t give up, though. This curve actually helps you learn what Star Racer is all about. And it’s a gas once it finally kicks in.
The game rewards you with plenty of drivers with great personalities. These can help you identify better with each vehicle, letting you try them out to see if they “fit” you. And you can unlock new ones with each victory in the main mode.
Along with that, there are extras aplenty. Star Racer has tons of event races to choose from, including wild “death” events where you could literally bite the dust at any second. There’s also a custom track editor, which is in-depth and lets you create your racing utopia…or something to annoy your friends. Up to you, really.
Did I also mention there are flying segments akin to StarFox? I should mention those. These add a bit of variety to the game…and they’re great fun.
Multiplayer is also good, with up to four players being able to jump into a race. Alas, no online, but WhatNot Games is an indie dev, so I won’t pick on them too much.
One note: get a controller for this one. I tried playing with a keyboard and mouse and just found the experience too frustrating. Plug in an Xbox-branded controller, however, and it feels like bliss.
Overall, if over-the-top racing isn’t for you, consider taking a pass with Star Racer. However, if you don’t mind being brushed up a little, you’ll find a classic gem waiting underneath.
Star Racer’s Presentation Is Mostly Smooth
Next up, let’s talk about presentation.
WhatNot Games have done a pretty good job with Star Racer’s visual design, aping the classic look of F-Zero in their own special way. The track design is dynamic, and, as I mentioned, you have the option of creating your own. There are glitches here and there, but nothing to really throw off the performance here. Did I also mention the 80s cartoon segments? Those are very cool.
As for the music, it rocks, but that’s mainly due to the contribution of Grant Kirkhope. You know him, he’s worked on various Nintendo games over the years, and he continues his fine streak here. There are also contributions by Mason Lieberman and Jules Conroy, and their contributions are well-noted. Also enjoy the sound effects and cute little voice bits.
Reaching For the Stars, and Mostly Hitting the Mark
In the end, your acceptance of Star Racer really depends on your tolerance. If you’re not a fan of challenging gamers, or you get frustrated with “crashing out,” you can probably pass by this one. But WhatNot Games have done a splendid job recapturing the era of F-Zero, and throwing in some fun StarFox segments as well. Plus it’s fun in multiplayer to boot, and that soundtrack may just stick with you.
The only downside is that there isn’t a release for Nintendo Switch. At least, not yet. I can’t help but feel that Star Racerwould be right at home there. As it stands, PC owners – and those with a Steam Deck – will definitely want to check this out.
GAMERHUB RATING: 3.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to WhatNot Games for providing us with a review code! You can check out Star Racer for Steam/PC now!
Need more futuristic racing? Read our review of Millennium Runners!
