Official Score
Overall - 70%
70%
Gravity Chase cribs F-Zero’s style wholesale with varying degrees of success. Squirrelly controls and questionable design choices somewhat take away from the game, but there’s a healthy variety of options for those who just can’t get enough Captain Falcon.
The anti-gravity racing world got flipped upside down (literally) when 34BigThings and Saber Interactive’s Redout 2 hit the scene earlier this year. Repixel8, previously entering the world of F1 with Formula Retro Racing, is back with his new zero-g title Gravity Chase. Does this title have the need for speed, or does it eat its competitors’ dust?
Gravity Chase Review
Titles like the F-Zero series dabbled in the concept with their Big Blue track, but Gravity Chase changes the futuristic formula by allowing racers to traverse a 360 degree space. It’s not enough to just overtake the competition on a level playing field; rather, one can get ahead of the competition by going upside down or finding an alternate route for the ultimate path.
However, Gravity Chase throws a wrench in this strategy through the use of pads that slow players down. On paper, their placement is reasonable – there has to be an optimum path. However, the execution leaves something to be desired, with players slowing down. The squirrely controls make actually avoiding these a pipe dream, leading to frustration more than anything else. To add insult to injury, there are also often boost pads nearby, meaning that one nudge could lead players to the slow zone.
The solution sounds easy, right: Get good? However, there are some factors in play with Gravity Chase.
One can easily flex their prowess through deft maneuvering, boosts after the first lap, and in-game pickups galore, but there is also the chance to upgrade your ship along the way with money earned from play. The grind is most certainly real, and while this doesn’t cost a dime, it doesn’t quite work as well as having everything maxed out from the get-go. Still, for those looking to just have some fun, there are different difficulty levels one can choose – just be aware that there will be a smaller payout.
Gravity Chase has 16 tracks in all, with only three tracks available at the start. There’s a healthy amount of variety here, but be warned – unlocking everything will take a sizable 85,500 points in all. It can be a real grind, but races move by at a fast clip.
There’s also a decent amount of variety with its modes. The tried-and-true Arcade Race is what players have come to expect, but there is also a Combat Race where players need to destroy the competition while still racing. There’s also an Eliminator Race that forces players to stay near the front of the pack or risk being a fiery wreck.
Gravity Chase cribs F-Zero’s style wholesale with varying degrees of success. Squirrelly controls and questionable design choices somewhat take away from the game, but there’s a healthy variety of options for those who just can’t get enough Captain Falcon.
