PLATFORM: PC, PS4/5, SWITCH, XBOX ONE/SERIES (REVIEWED) | RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
This follow-up to 2023’s well-received Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 takes a slightly different turn, as rather than allowing players to race along lengthy winding tracks covered with chicanes, speed boosts and loop-the-loops, Stunt Mayhem takes place in self-contained arenas where you take part in the usual monster truck shenanigans of performing slightly improbable stunts, destroying piles of tyres, stacks of barrels and dilapidated caravans, and crushing cars beneath your massive wheels. The career mode takes you through six locations, each containing around a dozen levels filled with ramps and jumps that allow you to launch your truck into the air and score points before you hit the ground. Performing mid-air stunts is as simple as holding the thumbstick in certain directions (there are only four stunts to choose from, so it’s easy enough to get the hang of things), but stunts on the ground (wheelies, stoppies, donuts, driving on two wheels, that sort of thing) take a bit more practise. By stringing stunts together you build up a combo meter, scoring bigger points for longer combos. All of the trucks handle exactly the same as each other (there are no discernible differences in speed or weight or anything), but each has its own special move which builds up as stunts are performed and can be used to end a combo and bank your current score. Alternatively, you can keep going and risk losing it all if you happen to accidentally flip upside down or otherwise get stuck and lose your combo meter.
The objective in each level is to score more than the target amount of points in order to earn badges, which in turn unlock new levels, new trucks, and occasionally a new paint job. Some missions also ask you to destroy a certain percentage of objects, a few involve a “boss fight” where you have to run over three “minions” (randomly placed cardboard cutouts) before hitting the biggest stunt ramp to deal damage, while others ask you to find and destroy a handful of hot dog stands or balloons. You’re against the clock in each mission, with 2-3 minutes to complete your objectives, and although things start off fairly easily, some of the later challenges (particularly the destruction ones) can be incredibly frustrating. There isn’t much variation between objectives, and the layout of the arena within each location rarely changes too much. Those whose age is in double figures might find this a bit repetitive, but it means that younger players can easily learn the best route around each arena to figure out how and where to chain together the most stunts and score the highest points.
Outside of career mode, the only other gameplay option is “single event”. These take place in the same areas as those in career mode and involve the exact same objectives, with the only difference being that here you can choose how long you want to play for (3, 4 or 5 minutes). Multiplayer is available in this mode as well, although it’s limited to two local players (no online option is available). Stunt Mayhem might be a bit light on content and is unlikely to hold the attention of seasoned players, but if it were any more complex then youngsters might be overwhelmed. As it stands, it’s a decent enough game for those who aren’t quite ready for full-on racers. Big kids should probably stick with Turbo Unleashed, but Stunt Mayhem should do the job nicely for the little ‘uns.
