Official Score
Overall - 40%
40%
Micro Pico Racers has a lot of heart, but not the follow-through. Diehard Micro Machines fans are better off playing the classics rather than diving into this one.
The days of Micro Machines and R.C. Pro-Am are reborn with the release of Josep Monzonis Hernandez’s top-down Micro Pico Racers. The perspective and look might be the same, but sadly the gameplay just can’t keep up.
Micro Pico Racers Review
The bulk of this racer’s modes can be found in its single player campaign. Made up of 60 races divided into four classes, players will be doing a number of tasks throughout. Some objectives are as simple as placing first in a race, while others will have players drifting to fill a bar or extending their time for a set period of laps.
Each of these events is over before you know it, lasting only a few minutes each. In addition, the game is tough as nails – though the entirety of this campaign can be completed in a few hours, expect to do the same race multiple times. The strict time allotments and zero margin for error makes it feel more like it’s the game’s fault, rather than the players.
This is made that much worse with the controls. Though each of the cars varies based on speed, handling, nitro, drift, and damage, this is one tough game to navigate. The rotation of each car is awkward, making it hard to stay on the track. A boost function with a rechargeable meter is available, but it is far too erratic to use effectively. Players will careen right off the track when using it, likely costing them a victory. Drifting is available, but only consistently works on 90-degree turns.
Despite the short length of the game, everything starts to run together after a while. Some stages might take place at night or in the snow, sure, but there are no distinct features for each area to really stand out. It often feels like each track was designed in a course editor, rather than carefully crafted.
A two player mode is available, but it is not as fleshed out as you may expect. 15 races are available to choose from, but the only way they are differentiated on the menu is by number. There is also a battle mode, but it only has one stage and it more or less has you running into enemies with your car. The engine simply wasn’t built for it, and it shows. A soccer mode, a la Rocket League, is also available, but this too only has one stage and the ball doesn’t always go where you want it to.
Micro Pico Racers has a lot of heart, but not the follow-through. Diehard Micro Machines fans are better off playing the classics rather than diving into this one.
