Written by Twisted Ideas
PixelJunk is a series of small downloadable games that focuses on a single mechanic and build around that. Their best game in the series also happens to be their first. PixelJunk Racers isn’t so much a racing game but as it is a remote controlled race track in video game form.
PixelJunk Racers 2nd Lap
Developer: Q-Games
Publisher: SCEA
Platform: Playstation 3
PixelJunk Racers 2nd Lap has you control a single red car on a five lane race track, changing lanes to avoid or at times cause collisions. The game sports several game modes. You play each game mode in Solo Tournament to earn enough trophies to unlock the next set of game modes. These modes vary from standard races with interfering traffic, lasting as long as you can without any collisions or where your car is on fire and you have to hit other cars to last as long as possible before your car stops.
The game supports an 8 person multiplayer with individual races or party races that take several game modes and lets you compete for the best score.
PixelJunk Racers does have its share of problems. The game can be difficult and frustrating if you’re aiming for gold trophies. At high speeds it may be hard completing tasks, especially on tracks that have blind spots when the track overlaps itself or when all five lanes get blocked by traffic. There’s also a lack of music with the audio mainly filled with ambient car noises.
I’ve played most PixelJunk games and I feel that Racers is the best in the bunch. Reason being is that while at times frustrating, Racers isn’t a tedious game. You may struggle on certain game modes but the time necessary to complete them can be a few seconds to upwards to two or three minutes. In contrast Shooter, Eden or Monsters’ levels may last at minimum four to five minutes. A mistake that compels you to restart is a big time loss for such simple games. Those game’s core mechanics aren’t built for speed or fast iteration times like Racers.
Why should you get it?
PixelJunk Racers 2nd Lap is an enjoyable little downloadable game that is fun alone and more fun in a group. It has a unique charm that recalls moments of playing with remote controlled race track or even the Micro Machines NES game. It’s a simple mechanic but Q-Games really know how to get the most out of it. Racers is a brief game that doesn’t overstay its welcome yet it is compelling enough to keep you playing. If you ever have extra cash stumble across Racers on the Playstation Store then you might want to give this a shot.
Team Shy Guys 