Controls can really make or break a game, and while many games manage to impress, some of them also fail to address one of the most vital things there is – yep, controls. It’s almost as if the developers didn’t do any sort of testing, and just churned it out without adding any spirit in the game. These issues are mostly prevalent with most iOS games and it’s also one of the main reasons why I sometimes loathe many games on that platform.

So, with that intro aside, let’s talk about this game – Wheels of Destruction. What exactly is it? Well, it’s a car combat game. Yes, another one. And if you remember I reviewed this another PSN exclusive called Smash ‘n’ Survive. The gulf in quality between these two games is insane, and it also makes me appreciate game developers who know what they’re doing, and try to maintain a decent level of quality.

In Wheels of Destruction, you are given a choice of five cars at the start of each game, and this game has to be played online because offline, it just feels sterile for some reason. But it is quite decent for a reasonably priced PSN game; the visuals which are powered by the Unreal Engine 3 brings a distinct Unreal Tournament 3-type look to the game.

Coming to the controls, there is a big learning phase here. On paper it seems simple, but when you consider it’s a fast-paced game, there is a big learning curve, and this learning curve is what will make or break the game for you. The problem is the left stick is not only used for maneuvering the car but also adjusting the direction it is facing. You can press the X button and realign your car fast, though.

Usually car combat games have complicated controls, and most buttons are used again in complement with other buttons to accomplish a different result, and when you look at something like Twisted Metal, the controls on offer there is sublime so when you encounter less optimized controls, it very much becomes an annoying factor. As I said the learning curve is on the higher side due to these issues, but there’s no reason to worry if you are patient enough.

There are plenty of modes on offer here: Deatchmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and this is one the main reasons why the game should be played online. There is no single player mode to speak of, but you can play offline and pick any modes or maps. There are five maps here set in different countries, and they are quite nicely designed. It gives off an Unreal Tournament vibe as I mentioned earlier, and the visuals are generally very pleasant and colourful.

Once you have gotten used to the controls, you have to learn the maps as well. The spawn points for different items and their locations need to be known before you can properly gain an advantage over your opponent. The level design is actually really nice, so one area leads into another and you can sometimes get lost because of all the different paths. There are also teleportation walls built into the levels and usually serves as an escape route if you are being followed.

Death comes easily in this game. One close range shot using the L1 button can result in a frag with “One Shot” words coming onto your screen, and when you are on the giving end, it feels really good. There really should have been a decent tutorial in this game, though. Many people may get confused since the controls can be an hindrance initially. The reason I keep harping about the controls is because the auto-lock feature while helpful, can completely disorient you if you do not know how to re-align your car.

There are five vehicles available to you, mostly divided into different classes – from heavy to light, and it’s the standard heavy cars are slow but take more damage and vice versa. The selection of cars are disappointing and most of them feel the same. There is a boost ability as well, but it feels to run out very fast and that limits the different gameplay stunts you can do. The game can be described as lacking in unique content, but considering it’s a PSN game, maybe I’m asking too much, but it does get boring quickly.

Gelid Games has done a decent job when you consider the visuals and the technical aspects of the game. It’s in some places really impressive, but when you look at the controls, there is a huge disappointment not because they’re terrible, but because it presents a big learning curve and for a vehicular combat game that’s a big no-no. The game is fun in places and if you’re an avid fan of the genre, it could result in a worthwhile investment provided you play online, other than that, it is pretty unremarkable.

This game was reviewed on the PS3.

Wheels of Destruction is now available for download on SEN/PSN.

Wheels of Destruction is exclusively for sale on PSN and can be downloaded for the price of only 9,99 Euro/£7.99. Users with a PS+ account even get a 20% discount.

Wheels of Destruction pits players in an arena of demolish-or-be-demolished competition. Five distinct classes make for deadly cutthroat vehicle combat with a unique futuristic aesthetic – all powered by the Unreal Engine. Wheels of Destruction brings gamers together just to tear them apart in an addictive, easy-to-learn but hard-to-master battle behind the wheel. Just make sure you’re ready for chaos and carnage!

We are currently reviewing the game, so stay tuned for more.

Wheels of Destruction has been delayed. It will now hit the SEN (PSN) on April 4th, 2012.

No specific reason was given as to why the game was delayed.

Wheels of Destruction has five different vehicle classes to best suit players of different styles. From the brutal Heavy to the quick-firing Assassin, each class has their strengths and weaknesses to rule the battlefield. Wheels of Destruction is an arcade-style, class-based, car combat shooter in a post-apocalyptic world.

Stay tuned to GamingBolt for our full review of the game.

Wheels of Destruction: World Tour pits players in an arena of vehicular carnage as they play against each other online in Capture the Flag and Deathmatch. Five distinct car classes make for deadly cutthroat car combat with a unique futuristic aesthetic – all powered by the Unreal Engine. Wheels of Destruction: World Tour brings gamers together just to tear them apart again in an addictive, easy-to-learn yet hard to master, battle behind the wheel.

Stay tuned to GamingBolt for more news and updates.

Wheels of Destruction is a car combat game. Yes, another one. And this one looks a lot more interesting than the one we reviewed earlier on, but it remains to be seen how this one plays as well.

The game is developed by Gelid Games, and will be available on the PSN on March 28th. The game contains five different classes and offers players with suitable cars for their playstyles. It runs on the Unreal Engine and you are placed in an arena where there are only two things that’s possible – destroy or be destroyed.

We also have a lot of gameplay videos for you showcasing the different classes in the game, and you can check out the Scout, Heavy and Assassin class.

Stay tuned for our review of the game soon. Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Wheels of Destruction is a car combat game (yes, another one), that will be released exclusively for PSN. We know the studio’s name, but not where they’re from, or anything else about them.

Kerim Borchaev, lead designer for Gelid Games, posted on the US PS Blog and revealed two new screenshots and a spanking new trailer for Wheels of Destruction. He mentioned that they choose PSN because it was easy to self-publish games there.

The game is being developed on Unreal Engine 3, which gives it that crispy look. But go on, check out the trailer first.