Things on Wheels, then. Not a game about an alien with no legs who learns to use a wheelchair, and clones an entire army in his form to take over the galaxy, or even a game that's based around reflectors, clip-on rattles, and the various other things you used to get as a kid to stick on the wheels of your bike. No, in this instance, the "Things" the title refers to are actually radio-controlled cars - and thankfully, that makes this a lot more fun than the games we just came up with.
Unfortunately, on some of the tracks, it can be a bit confusing trying to figure out where you've got to go.
Although you may not be able to tell from the somewhat unusual name, Things on Wheels is actually an arcade style racer, that sees you driving a remote controlled car around a number of real-life inspired environments. Whizzing under table legs, jumping from inflatable to inflatable in the outdoor pool, and skidding on the tile floor of the kitchen, you'll have to be on the look out for chair legs, rogue marbles, and other general household objects, that have a nasty habit for turning into huge problems when your car's the size of a shoe.
Taking on the game's fairly lengthy career mode, you'll find yourself simply racing against computer controlled opponents as you grapple with the other cars for first place. However, seeing as you're using toy cars, the action can often be a lot more rough and ready than in other games - and this is only for the better. In a group of cars coming up to a corner, it's not unusual for at least one of the group to end up being flipped, as it slowly grinds to a halt on its roof, and it's actually a pretty sound strategy to try to intentionally flip your opponents whenever you get chance, as it lets you get that much farther ahead.
A sneaky use of the static power up on a car mid jump. If you'd have done it a few seconds earlier, he'd have lost so much speed he'd never have made the jump. *Cue evil laugh*
Of course, this being an arcade racer, there are plenty of other ways to put paid to your opponents plans, using the collection of weapons that have been handily scattered around each track. One of the highlights of the game, many of the weapons on offer actually have areas of effect, so storing the one power-up, and waiting until the right time to fire it, is the way to achieve the best results. From a static power-up, that shocks the other cars, sapping their energy, and causing them to slow down, to the ice power-up, that turns your nearby opponents' wheels into ice, leaving them completely unable to steer (if you're feeling really evil, make sure you do it just before you come up to a curve next to a drop), there's a great variety of power-ups on offer here - and, even better, a lot of the pick ups can be used to counter the other weapons.
If someone starts to use the static weapon on you, for example, if you use the static weapon back, or use the forcefield power-up, you'll be immune to the weapon's effects. This all makes storing a good weapon a key strategy to coming first - as well as being unafraid to rough house it with your opponents.
The Outcyders team. Yesterday.
Along with the recently released Scrap Metal, Things on Wheels also features a four-player split-screen mode, and it's every bit as much fun as the former's. Letting you team up with four friends to take on a team of computer controlled drivers in a co-op race (where the team with the highest average finishing position wins - great if you're playing with younger gamers, as they'll be able to take part, and (hopefully!) be on the winning team), or simply a free for all, with or without AI opponents, there's plenty of ways to mix things up, and a great choice of options to get the family involved.With just the right mix of fast-paced, remote control action, and accessibility, Things on Wheels is a game that's easy to pick up and play, but actually requires you to think about your choices, with an overall level of fun that'll keep you coming back for more.
Format Reviewed: Xbox 360
