Horizon Chase 2 is another rock-solid arcade racer from Brazilian dev Aquiris, and honestly thatās all you really need to know. Weāre professionals, however, so weāll elaborate: much like the well-loved Horizon Chase Turbo, this title takes you on a 200kmph tour of the globe, from San Franciscoās Golden Gate Bridge to Tokyoās Akihabara Electric Town. Youāll effectively find yourself working you way up from the back of the pack to podium position across four breakneck laps, weaving in and out of opponents as you go.
The graphics have been upgraded from the original, with greater detail lending itself to a deeper feeling of digital tourism, although the simplistic flat shading of the original remains. Gameplay is more akin to retro 90s racers like Yu Suzukiās iconic OutRun, with very little emphasis on ādriftingā and more just anticipating corners so you can keep your car on the road. Collectible pick-ups and nitro add a little depth, while an upgrade system for all of the vehicles adds longevity.
Outside of the core campaign, thereās online multiplayer with full crossplay, which should help to ensure matchmaking remains snappy across a prospectively small install base. Rotating challenges also offer new gameplay wrinkles and modifiers to keep things fresh in a very basic live service fashion, with cosmetic unlocks like paint and leaderboards available to keep you engaged. Ultimately, the game wonāt hold your attention for too long, but youāll be smiling plenty while it lasts.
