Thankfully, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is just that. It’s a sequel that exactly knows what worked in the original, and what needs to be expanded upon to make it a more meaningful experience in the long run. While there are still some apparent flaws and design decisions that don’t quite hit the mark, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is a worthy sequel that fans should definitely check out.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – is at its core – the same drift-heavy arcade racer like the original, and features the same control scheme. The right trigger is used for acceleration and a face button unleashes a short burst of nitrous, while the left trigger is used to brake or drift around corners which gradually fills up the nitrous meter. Unleashed 2 introduces the ability to jump over obstacles, and you can also ram into opponent vehicles to get a leg up in a neck-to-neck driving situation.

"Unleashed 2 introduces the ability to jump over obstacles, and you can also ram into opponent vehicles to get a leg up in a neck-to-neck driving situation."

While the addition of the new maneuvers doesn’t rewrite the playbook in any significant way, it still adds a level of depth to the racing that just wasn’t present before. You see, ramming vehicles and jumping over obstacles take charge away from the same boost meter – so you have to be mindful of keeping an ample amount of boost in the tank at all times, or else you might run the risk of missing out on a crucial jump during the race.

Milestone makes good use of these new tricks to craft interesting track layouts that are a lot more imaginative and complex than what we saw in the original. While the game does take some time to really flex out its creative muscles, the levels eventually get interesting with plenty of obstacle jumps and nasty shortcuts littered through its looping multi-level tracks that take place in a wide array of diverse backgrounds.

One of the bigger changes in Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is the Career mode, which now also features a narrative of sorts that unfolds as you progress through each new zone on the overworld map. The main objective behind racing through these tracks is to eventually bring down the different creatures that are wreaking havoc throughout the city. It’s all very by-the-numbers stuff, which is why it’s great that cinematics are kept snappy and the writing never takes itself too seriously. All in all, it’s neither good nor bad – it just is.

"It’s all very by-the-numbers stuff, which is why it’s great that cinematics are kept snappy and the writing never takes itself too seriously. All in all, it’s neither good nor bad – it just is."

The sequel expands upon the race types of the original with new kinds of racing challenges ranging from drift mastery where you have to hit a high score by continuously drifting along corners without colliding against the sides of the track to elimination-style races where the last racer gets eliminated to navigation challenges where you must run through a set of checkpoints in an open area in a set amount of time.
Each of the five zones in the Career mode concludes with a climactic boss fight race, where you have to knock down targets laid out on the track before a timer runs out. It’s not the most challenging kind of race, but it does a good job of constantly keeping you on your toes as the time intervals between hits keep on decreasing as you inch closer to the finish line. Once you clear that race, it’s on to the next zone, and so on and so forth.

There’s a healthy amount of content available for players to grind through in this mode, and those who’d like to push their skills to the limits can work to complete Unleashed goals of each race or unlock additional pathways by completing challenges peppered throughout the world. Milestone also does a job of gradually ramping up the difficulty throughout this entire mode, though I will admit there were some difficulty spikes here and there.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 also makes a ton of changes to the vehicles, and how upgrade trees work. The sequel introduces bikes and ATV quads into the mix to give players more options to choose their style. I tried to switch to bikes for a handful of races, but the handling always seemed too wobbly in my experience. Bikes in Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 tend to have a habit of flailing around helplessly during jumps, which makes controlling them really awkward at times. I tried fiddling around with upgrades, but the handling just never seemed to hit the level of precision I wanted. Between this and the fact that bikes don’t have a significant advantage over cars in terms of speed, I always felt like I was handicapping myself by choosing to go with this vehicle type over the others.

"Between this and the fact that bikes don’t have a significant advantage over cars in terms of speed, I always felt like I was handicapping myself by choosing to go with this vehicle type over the others. "

And that leads us to the vehicle progression, where you can also use skill points to upgrade any vehicle to higher tiers, and you can also invest in skills that have an element of risk versus reward attached to them. For instance, a certain skill might make boost accumulate faster but in turn vehicle stability will be compromised. Other skills give a clear advantage like making your vehicle immune to certain obstacles – and I largely went for such skills since I didn’t really need any specialized builds to ace through my races.

As for the cars, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 has a wide array of cars on offer, ranging from vintage classics to luxury supercars and plenty of Hot Wheels classics. Like the original, different cars excel for different use cases – but that level of micro-strategy wasn’t really required during my playthrough of the Career mode at medium difficulty levels.

"Apart from that, you can create your own tracks using the surprisingly detailed Track Editor or customize your vehicles with stickers through a new Livery editor."

Once you are done with the career mode, you can indulge in quick races – or take action online and race against other people. Apart from that, you can create your own tracks using the surprisingly detailed Track Editor or customize your vehicles with stickers through a new Livery editor.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 features some gorgeous visuals, and everything from the faithfully recreated cars to the detailed tracks and high-quality reflections comes together to create a crisp image that’s an absolute treat for the eyes. It really feels like you are in the driving seat of these miniature vehicles as they swirl and drift through tracks set against weirdly gargantuan environments. All of this is accompanied by some great-sounding funky tunes and bass licks that really fit the chill vibe of the experience.

In conclusion, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is a sequel that’s bigger and better than the original in almost every regard. Right from the vehicle selection to track layouts and race types, each new improvement the sequel does helps in making this arcade racer a more polished and complete experience this time around. Some design decisions like the risk-reward-based progression don’t hit the mark, but looking at the broader picture – Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is a sequel that’s unmissable for fans of the franchise, or at least worth trying out if you are interested in the prospect of racing around at high speeds in such faithfully recreated cars.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage

Mirage focuses on Basim Ibn Ishaq and his journey from street thief to an assassin as part of the Hidden Ones. With only the four districts of 9th century Baghdad to explore, the return of parkour and urban traversal, and a more open-ended approach to assassinating targets, Assassin’s Creed Mirage looks to be a strong return to form.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria

Following up on the success of titles like Valheim, The Forest, and more, Free Range Games’ co-op experience focuses on Gimli and his dwarves as they return to reclaim Moria. Players will traverse the mines, claiming different resources to create better tools, weapons and armor, and battle enemies like orcs, cave trolls and more. With base-building, exploration, survival elements and support for up to eight players, it’s an overall different spin on the Lord of the Rings formula and launches on October 24th for PS5 and PC.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is easily the biggest release of next month and launches on October 20th for PS5. Set several months after the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, it sees Peter and Miles battling new villains like Kraven and his hunters, while also dealing with Dr. Curt Connors, who transforms into Lizard. Meanwhile, the Symbiote takes hold of Peter, granting new powers but corrupting his mind. With a map that’s twice as large as previous games, brand new activities and abilities, and instantaneous switching between both heroes, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 looks like a step up from the original in almost every way.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

At first glance, Super Mario Bros. Wonder seems to ask, “What if Mario, but trippy?” After Bowser shows up in the Flower Kingdom and does Bowser things, it’s up to Mario and friends to stop him. New Wonder Flowers can alter a stage in crazy ways, from living pipes to an overhead perspective and stampeding enemies, but the 2D platformer has a lot more to offer. You can equip Badges for unique perks, and use new power-ups like turning into an Elephant or using bubbles to trap enemies.

Multiplayer supports up to four players with the option to create rooms and partake in races, while asynchronous elements like Live Player Shadows add a whole new dimension to solo play. Super Mario Bros. Wonder launches on October 20th for Nintendo Switch.

Detective Pikachu Returns

If you need a Switch title to tide you over before Mario’s next big adventure, there’s Detective Pikachu Returns. As a sequel to the 2016 adventure title on the Nintendo DS, it sees Tim Goodman and Detective Pikachu working together once more to investigate the disappearance of Harry, Tim’s father.

While Tim questions human NPCs for clues, Pikachu interacts with Pokemon and uses their abilities in unique ways, like tracking scents with Growlithe, destroying objects with Darmanitan or seeing through walls with Luxray. How extensive the mystery will be remains to be seen, but Detective Pikachu Returns should be worth investigating when it launches on October 6th on Nintendo Switch.

Forza Motorsport

As a reboot of Turn 10 Studios’ acclaimed racing sim franchise, Forza Motorsport has over 500 cars (with more than 100 making their debut for the series), 20 locations, and 800 upgrades. It’s a ground-up rebuilding of what makes the Motorsport series so good. Everything, from the handling and tire physics to the damage model and visuals, has been revamped and supports full ray tracing during gameplay.

The new Builders Cup will test your skills in single-player, while Featured Multiplayer aims to create a living racing community with continuous events. All of this barely scratches the surface of Forza Motorsport, and we can’t wait to dive deeper when it launches on October 10th for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Sonic Superstars

Jump up, superstar, but not quite the one you’re thinking. Sonic Superstars sees Sonic, Knuckles, Amy and Tails reunited, venturing to the new North Star Islands to combat Eggman, Fang the Sniper and the mysterious chip. For the first time in the series, there’s support for up to four players on screen, while new abilities manifest thanks to Emerald Powers.

If you’re looking for more competitive multiplayer, Battle Mode is available with races, star collecting and survival for up to eight players online and four players locally. Sonic Superstars launches on October 17th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Ghostrunner 2

Jack is back and this time, he’s venturing outside of Dharma Tower to pursue an AI cult. You’ll still traverse perilous environments, wall-running, slow-mo dodging and slicing enemies into ribbons (while hopefully not dying). However, along with new skills, Jack also has a bike to engage in fast-paced stages with split-second platforming. Releasing on October 26th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, Ghostrunner 2 also promises revamped progression, more involving boss fights and the same synthwave goodness.

NHL 24

Compared to EA Sports’ other properties, from the revamped EA Sports FC 24 to the long-awaited EA Sports UFC 5, NHL 24 may feel like more of the same. However, EA Vancouver promises plenty of new features, from new total control skills to a new passing system, physics-based contact and even full crossplay for Ultimate Team and the new and improved World of Chel.

Whether you’re keen on body-checking fools or mastering the system’s intricacies, NHL 24 looks like a sizable improvement over its predecessor. It launches on October 6th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4 and Xbox One.

Lords of the Fallen

Lords of the Fallen is releasing on October 13th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Developed in Unreal Engine 5 and aiming to be Dark Souls 4.5 in a post-Elden Ring world, it sees players exploring two worlds: Axiom, the Land of the Living, and Umbral, the Land of the Dead.

While you have a litany of weapons, armor sets, and spells to battle enemies, utilizing the Umbral Lamp to traverse environments and potentially escape the realm of the dead is also important. It looks sharp, and even with the release of Lies of P, who can say no to another solid Souls-like?

Alan Wake 2

Over 13 years since the first game’s release (both in-game and outside of it), Alan Wake finally returns in a full-fledged sequel. While Alan remains trapped in the Dark Place, seeking an escape, newcomer and FBI agent Saga Anderson ventures to Bright Falls to investigate killings related to Wake’s work. The former surreal environments and even bends them in unique ways, while the latter acquires clues and organizes them in her mind space.

Both will have to deal with horrifying enemies, using flashlights to focus and make them vulnerable to firearms. With a much more ambitious scale and gorgeous visuals, Alan Wake 2 could be a dark horse in one of the most packed years in gaming. It’s out on October 27th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1

At long last, the legend returns…sort of. Konami’s Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection is a compilation of the mainline titles, with Vol. 1 featuring Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. These aren’t remasters or remakes, though – Metal Gear Solid is locked to 30 FPS, while Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 are from the HD Collection released about a decade ago.

Nevertheless, they’re as faithful as you can get, while the collection delivers goodies like graphic novels, guides, scripts and even the option to play Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake and even Snake’s Revenge. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 launches on October 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Transformers: EarthSpark – Expedition

Going from the Cybertron series and Transformers Devastation to this doesn’t paint Transformers: EarthSpark – Expedition in the best light. Nevertheless, Tessera Studios’ action-adventure title could be better than expected with its combat and exploration. It launches on October 13th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

A follow-up to the surprisingly entertaining Hot Wheels Unleashed, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged offers even more arcade racing with more content and features. There are five new environments, from a museum to a mini-golf course, new abilities like double jumping, and over 130 vehicles (with two new types: motorcycles and ATVs).

There’s even an extensive new campaign and cross-platform support with new modes like Elimination Events and Drift Challenges. All-in-all, it looks like a worthy follow-up that doubles down on what works. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged launches on October 19th for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Ark: Survival Ascended

What if Ark: Survival Evolved but remade in Unreal Engine 5 (and also charging fans for it)? For better or worse, Studio Wildcard is going in that direction with Ark: Survival Ascended, which launches in October for PC, Xbox Series X/S and PS5. Along with better visuals and support for Nanite and Lumen, it offers cross-platform multiplayer, improved performance, a new third-person camera, Photo Mode, an updated mini-map, ping system and much more. Will it be worth the wait, especially with the $45 price and Survival Evolved going offline? Time will tell, but thus far, the developer has its work cut out for it.

According to a report published on Dealabs by prominent leaker billbil-kun, Italian developer Milestone is working on a sequel to the 2021 game, titled Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged, that’s set to be announced in the near future. It’s uncertain whether the game will be available for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, which means there’s a good chance it ends up being current-gen exclusive.

The game will also allegedly come with three editions available, according to the leak, with a Deluxe Edition also packing in a season pass and four DLC packs, and an Ultimate Edition coming with two season passes and eight DLC packs. Pre-ordering the former will net you two additional DLC packs, while pre-ordering the latter will come with four.

Though a specific date for that announcement hasn’t been mentioned in the leak, one would assume that with a number of major showcases and events coming up – with Summer Game Fest set for June 8 and Xbox Games Showcase for June 11 – the racing sequel’s unveiling might be around the corner, especially if concrete details on its editions and pre-orders have leaked as well.

Hot Wheels Unleashed is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Read our review of the game through here.