Blaze Rush [Review]
Blaze Rush is a top-down RC-style racing game with some shooting mechanics that allow for 4 player local mayhem throughout the entire game. Players playing the game locally are also to hop online together and participate in 8-player racing as well. This game offers a very simple controller scheme, move the car with the left stick, attack, and boost. Just the stick and two buttons. A very interesting game changer for this chaotic racer is the physics of the game. Bumping into other players and even the slightest incorrect movement can throw the race for you. Also, don't die. Players can be destroyed during races. My favorite two modes in the game were King of the Hill and Death Match. During the death match, players must avoid being steamrolled by, you guessed it, a steamroller. The goal is simple and clear, be the last one alive. King of the Hill is simple. Just stay in the lead longer than everyone else.
Some maps even have hidden paths that can be used to gain an advantage. These paths are listed on the map, so I suppose they aren't exactly hidden, although good luck going through them smoothly. Often, during races, I find it difficult to recover after being destroyed. I have had luck getting back to a good placement during races, but I will say it would be nice if I didn't feel like I needed to restart a race after being destroyed because oftentimes you are just too far back. One last gripe is that whoever is in the lead, the camera will follow just that person. I often wondered if I was racing the other players or the camera. Unfortunately, the online community is dead. Lucky for me, I always have friends over, so that's no issue for me. This game should get a PlayStation 5 upgrade and a release for the Xbox Series X. We have a classic gem on our hands, and I would not like to see this game lost to time.
The online community being pretty much dead would make this game a hard pass for most players. Fortunately, this game has local multiplayer and is very fun. Blaze Rush offers players a wide variety of things to do and is an absolute blast to play with friends. Any Nintendo Switch Owner would feel right at home with this game.