Review: Fast & Furious – Arcade Edition
The Fast & Furious franchise seems like a perfect fit for video games, combining high-speed racing with the over-the-top stunts and explosive action the films are known for.
I’ll be honest from the start: I’m not the biggest fan of the franchise. That’s not because I dislike it, but simply because I haven’t seen the many sequels and spin-offs. In fact, I’ve only watched the first three Fast & Furious films. So perhaps this game isn’t really aimed at me. That said, a good arcade racer can still be enjoyable whether you’re invested in the licence or not.
The game doesn’t offer a huge number of modes. You get single-player, versus, split-screen multiplayer, and online leaderboards.
Once you jump in, there are several locations to race through, including the Swiss Alps, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Havana, Yellowstone, and Colombia. After choosing a track, you can select from a range of officially licensed cars, each with different stats for speed, traction, and acceleration. The selection isn’t massive, but it includes recognisable vehicles such as the Ford Bronco, Shelby Mustang, Corvette, and Dodge Charger.
The tracks themselves are bright, colourful, and packed with action. Although they’re relatively short, there’s plenty happening around you. Explosions light up the scenery, shortcuts are hidden throughout each course, and every race builds towards a dramatic finale. These objectives include derailing a train, taking down a drone, or even grounding a plane, giving each event a cinematic feel.
Unfortunately, the driving doesn’t quite live up to the spectacle. The handling is ok, but the cars never feel as responsive or satisfying as you’d hope. To be fair, the title tells you exactly what you’re getting as this is a pure arcade racer, not a driving simulator. That’s not a criticism in itself. Crazy Taxi is one of my favourite arcade racers, but it kept things fresh with its unique gameplay objectives and great music.
Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition, on the other hand, feels very much like the sort of game you’d find in an amusement arcade. It’s bright, flashy, and entertaining for a short burst, but after 10 or 15 minutes you’ve probably had your fill and are ready to move on to something else.
Review by Chris.
