The focus is squarely on the racing and getting the most from the smooth handling system the devs have created.

The courses are very straightforward with no jumps or anything of the like. The courses are fairly simple in terms of their layout, with very little in terms of verticality, which is one of my few complaints about the game. Courses are bright and full of fun character, such as UFO’s in the Mojave desert and lots of other cool little touches. There are 16 tracks to race on, covering 4 styles broad styles, which are used to create tracks set in forests, jungles, temples, theme parks and even the game’s very own representation of Vegas, including the surrounding desert. You can also get a real speed boot by drafting behind opponents then using the boost to slingshot by them. Drifts are easy to control and form a huge part of the gameplay, as you constantly seek to build a 4-part boost meter to get ahead of your rivals. The racing is super slick and extremely satisfying. A quick tap of the brakes kicks your back end out and sends you into the most buttery smooth drift, building your boost meter, a la Ridge Racer in its later days. Once you hit the track you’re graced with some seriously slick racing and handling that sits somewhere between Out Run 2 and the Ridge Racer series.

Upon loading the game you’re struck by the aesthetic, which is very much a gorgeous modern day spin on Virtua Racing, right down to the font on the UI when racing. Sumo had a big hand in bringing Out Run 2 to home consoles, so they know a thing or two about slick arcade racers! Feel The Passing Breeze Hotshot is jointly developed by Lucky Mountain Games and Sumo Digital. If you take a look at the game’s splash screen you’ll see everything you need to know. The big question is, how does it stack up when compared to the pantheon of greats. Hotshots Racing has come at a time when we need the sugary blast of arcade joy. It seems we may have seen our last Ridge Racer, our last Out Run and dare I say it, our last F-Zero. The last few years there has been a real dearth of classic style old school arcade racers.

Hotshot racing review download