I was a lover of the Kinect system for Xbox. Consequently, I was bitterly disappointed when it was cancelled due to poor sales and indifferent reviews. Now, you may be wondering why I’m reminiscing about a dated camera system. Well, the lovely people at Nex Playground have revived one of its key arcade games. Freefall Racers has been added to the Nex Play Pass and works incredibly well with their innovative gaming system.
The fantastic camera captures every fine movement you make. Therefore, you can control your character as you race across an array of interesting stages. No matter how poorly lit your room is, this gaming system is extremely accurate and responsive. Additionally, when you add a second player, it never falters. Instead, the action becomes manic as you both compete to win every game.
This rebooted arcade racer was developed by Smoking Gun Interactive and published by Nex. It is a single-player and 2-player competitive experience. The latter is local play only, as the Nex Playground has very strict guidance and rules when it comes to player safety. This may seem a little extreme, but I love the security and the lack of stranger danger.
Freefall Racers is an atypical arcade game.
Due to its arcade mindset, Freefall Racers doesn’t offer a rich or captivating story. Instead, it focuses on its action to keep you interested. With fast-paced moments, interesting stage design, and the chance to use your body as the controller, this game is tough, fun, and hilarious to play.
Although I enjoyed it as a solo gamer, it comes to life when you play against another. Sticking your arms out and moving your body was a hoot. Furthermore, “accidentally” smacking the hands of your competitor or bashing into them made for silly but competitive fun. It is a game that can be enjoyed casually or for hours on end. I sat in the first camp, but my kids would have played it endlessly if I allowed them.
Unique action but a familiar edge.
You control a group of flying squirrels who are competing to make it to the finish line first. There are checkpoints to hit, rings to fly through, and obstacles to avoid. Additionally, there are alternative routes to explore, and plenty of tactical layers. However, it is the silly action that sits at the fore. Think Mario Kart meets wingsuits, and you get the idea.
Freefall Racers is a 13-year-old title that was developed for a platform that sadly failed. Subsequently, is it going to appeal to a modern audience? I may be biased, but I think it works amazingly. The gameplay is dated, but fun, and the control system is exceptionally tight, responsive, and great to experience. Moreover, arcade racing is enjoyable regardless of the era.
Freefall Racers is dated but smooth.
Visually, you are getting a last-decade experience. However, this isn’t to say it is poor, because it isn’t. Yes, it is a little blocky, and you can tell it was made for an older-generation console, but I didn’t care. The vibrancy was fantastic, and I like the level design. Moreover, the smooth action makes it a joy to play. I witnessed no visual glitches, and the consistent frame rate made the arcade action all the better.
The audio remains faithful to the original. It is loud, exciting, but reasonably refined. This works with the genre and the theme, but it struggles to be memorable. This isn’t a complaint, but it doesn’t sit up there with its peers.
Exceptional controls.
The Kinect was doomed to failure. However, Nex Playground has revolutionised motion control for a new generation. The full-body motion camera control is exceptional. Every movement is captured perfectly, and you feel in tune with your character. The result is an immersive arcade experience.
Replay value and longevity are somewhat niche. If you adore the genre and you want to unlock every race, new tracks, and characters, this will keep you going for hours. However, if you don’t care about those things, you’ll want to tackle this casually. Where this thrives is the 2-player gameplay. It is amusing, simple, and wonderfully competitive.
Freefall Racers enjoys a great revival.
If Freefall Racers is anything to go by, I’d love to see them revive every Kinect-360 title. The action is smooth, and the gameplay retains its original charms. Furthermore, it works incredibly well on the Nex platform. Accordingly, I think it’s brilliant, and I recommend buying the Play Pass here! Can you compete with the other squirrels? Pick your racer, annihilate your opponents, and become the flying squirrel champion.
