Take a joyride (emphasis on joy) through the utterly ridiculous and undeniably delightful world of WHAT THE CAR?. This isn’t your standard racing game, kids. Forget meticulously tuned engines, pristine tracks, and the pursuit of perfect lap times. WHAT THE CAR? throws physics out the window, replaces it with a healthy dose of slapstick, and lets you loose in a gloriously chaotic sandbox of vehicular mayhem.
The first thing that hits you in WHAT THE CAR? is the physics engine. Think of it as a hyperactive toddler with a bag full of rubber bands – unpredictable, bouncy, and guaranteed to send you into fits of laughter. Cars don’t just roll, they contort, they defy gravity, they become airborne missiles of questionable aerodynamics. Hit a ramp at the wrong angle? No problem, just prepare for a pirouette through the air, a face plant into a tree (or a friendly bear – more on that later), and perhaps a miraculous landing on all four wheels.
This physics engine isn’t just about hilarity, though. It actually creates a surprisingly deep and engaging gameplay experience. Mastering the art of vehicular contortion is key to success. Whether you’re flinging yourself across a finish line or navigating a treacherous obstacle course, learning to exploit the game’s physics becomes a twisted kind of skill. It’s like mastering the art of controlled chaos, and it’s incredibly satisfying, just like WHAT THE GOLF? was.
WHAT THE CAR? doesn’t shy away from absurdity. From the moment you boot up the game, you’re greeted by a world that’s both visually bizarre and narratively nonsensical. Cars come in all shapes and sizes, defying any semblance of logic or functionality. You can race in a bathtub on wheels, a giant boot, or even a singing karaoke machine (yes, you read that right). The commentary throughout the game is witty and self-aware, constantly poking fun at itself and the genre it hilariously subverts.
The humor doesn’t stop at visuals and sound effects. The game throws a constant barrage of unexpected challenges and mini-games at you. One minute you’re hurtling towards the finish line, the next you’re flipping burgers, fishing for elusive trout, or attempting a spot of operatic car-aoke. These moments of pure silliness are brilliantly woven into the gameplay, keeping things fresh and constantly surprising you.
While the initial absurdity of WHAT THE CAR? might have you chuckling, it’s the game’s impressive depth that truly keeps you hooked. With a variety of game modes, you’ll never get bored. Race your way to victory in traditional (well, as traditional as this game gets) racing events, tackle increasingly difficult challenges, or just unleash your inner demolition derby driver in the sandbox mode. There are hidden secrets and shortcuts to discover in every level, rewarding exploration and experimentation.
But the replayability doesn’t end there. WHAT THE CAR? features user-generated content where players can share their own creations through a level editor, and you can vote on them. This means there’s a seemingly endless supply of user-generated tracks and challenges to keep you busy. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing cruise or a mind-bending obstacle course sculpted by another player’s twisted imagination, the possibilities are endless.
WHAT THE CAR? avoids photorealistic graphics, opting for a vibrant and cartoony style that perfectly complements its over-the-top humor. The colors are bold, the character designs (both car and, yes, the occasional bear) are outlandish, and the general feel is one of playful exaggeration. The sound design deserves a special mention. From the hilariously unrealistic car noises to the wacky sound effects that punctuate your every move, the audio in WHAT THE CAR? perfectly captures the game’s sense of chaotic fun.
In terms of performance, this game is flawless. I was achieving 240fps on PC, and an easy 60fps on the Steam Deck.
My PC Specs:
– Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
– Intel Core i9 13900K @ 5.8GHz
– ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 ARGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler
– G.SKILL TRIDENT Z5 6000MHZ 64GB (32×2) DDR5 RAM
– ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X
– WD_BLACK SN850X M.2 (4 TB)
– LG UltraGear 34GP950B-G (21:9 Ultrawide @ 3440×1440)My Steam Deck (OLED) Specs
– SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
– Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
– 16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (6400 MT/s quad 32-bit channels)
– 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.6GHz (1.6 TFlops FP32)
– Steam Deck 1TB NVMe SSD
– HDR OLED (16:9 @ 1280 x 800)
Let’s be honest, WHAT THE CAR? isn’t for everyone. The chaotic physics engine and the constant barrage of unexpected challenges can be frustrating at times. This is a comedy racing game, with an emphasis on the humor first. With its impressive physics engine, it’s exceptionally well made and silly. WHAT THE CAR? is a game that defies definition. It’s a racing game, a physics playground, a comedy show, and all wrapped up in one ridiculously entertaining package.
A Steam code was provided in advance by the publisher for review purposes
