The review of Hot Wheels Infinite Loop takes us back to childhood thanks to a historic brand transformed again into an arcade racer, this time for iOS and Android
The review of Hot Wheels Infinite Loop, which is the umpteenth arcade driving game based on the famous cars produced by Mattel: a historic brand, with over fifty years of tradition, which is absolutely new to such operations. In this case we are faced with a title for iOS and Android developed by Creative Mobile Games, downloadable for free thanks to the freemium format but characterized by mechanics that recall quite often a fairly thorough monetization concept, even introducing a monthly subscription for more users passionate. A choice that leaves you a bit perplexed, if we consider that the game allows you to participate in speed multiplayer competitions online for a maximum of eight participants, competitions on which the shadow of the pay to win could weigh precisely from a certain point onwards .
Set in a distant future, where technology has succeeded in creating fast-paced Hot Wheels on a human scale, Hot Wheels Infinite Loop puts us at the head of some of the most famous models in the line, which challenge each other within circuits that they often include jumps and turns of death: this is also a trademark. The first impact with the experience, however, is a bit rough, since the control system only provides a touch option (with buttons or levers) and there is no alternative based on the accelerometer. This is an approach that inevitably simplifies everything and prevents us from "brushing" the curves, even if we soon realize that this is not the focus of the game.
Gameplay and structure
Hot Wheels Infinite Loop uses a solid and interesting progression system, which thanks to the continuous release of prize boxes (which, however, require some time to be opened) allows to obtain virtual currency and, above all, components that allow to enhance the cars that we already own or buy new ones, thus enriching our garage and opening up new possibilities. Vehicles are in fact characterized by different values and behave in a peculiar way depending on the track, giving us concrete advantages when we compete with someone at the wheel of a vehicle that is not suited to the context.
It is possible to access leagues with different degrees of difficulty depending on the level of experience and a series of special events that require the use of consumable tickets, which are restored only after a little waiting. On the track, the gameplay is confirmed to be immediate and spectacular rather than realistic, as evidenced by the possibility of ramming and eliminating civilian vehicles that are on our trajectory or the same adversaries, although in that case not a simple bottarella is enough . In short, during the race, you can blow up a bit of everything but try to concentrate on the track, which offers junctions and shortcuts useful for building a bit of advantage, even if you avoid contact with others and collect the usual objects that allow you to fill the nitro bar.
The latter should be launched at every useful opportunity to increase the speed of the car and make that last overtaking before the victory, in view of an approach very similar to the Asphalt series. From the point of view of solidity and finish, however, the Mattel production certainly cannot boast the same care as the Gameloft racer. We have in fact encountered problems with the servers that also make the performance decay, making the action jerky and hardly manageable on the iPhone, and a pleasant graphic but a little dated as far as the effects are concerned, limited to some particles and motion blur. Finally, the soundtrack discreetly accompanies the action even though it is repetitive in some moments.
