[Mechanical R]

If you owned an Original Xbox, chances are you may have had a go on a game called Mashed. This top down Micro Machine-esc game was simple in design and gameplay and unknowingly became a massive time void. Having missed this game when it came out for the Xbox (and the PS2), my trip to the retro corner of last year’s Eurogamer put me in perspective of the game. Along with 3 friends, we easily spent more time and had more fun on this game alone than the entire brand new games out there and it just so happens; they've finally decided to make a sequel.



So what made this game so secretly good? It’s hard to pin point having not played the original Mashed single player, however if you've got a bunch of friends, or are even looking for one of those little arcade games that actually has a really good multiplayer (both online and local) then Wrecked is probably the latest and best excuse for that. The game see's you and 3 friends duelling it out on a race track. With the use of cunning driving skills, the tracks environments and vehicular weapons you must fight to the death to become the last man standing.



The game offers plenty of variation in the rules allowing for just racing only, or specific weapons and the like, but whether your all gunning it out with mines, rail guns, shotguns and boosters, or just trying to smash each other off the track or leave them behind off screen, there are more than enough scenarios for you to get a heavy amount of enjoyment.

But if the multiplayer is so fun, what do we do with the single player? The single player mode offers a small selection of challenges around each track. These vary around forms of time trials, with straight out laptimes, to getting the fastest time whilst carrying a trailer, or without touching walls with added obstacles. These challenges give only a little extra life to the game since there aren’t really that many. Whilst some of the later challenges are quite difficult, it’s nothing a bit of learning the track won’t solve. Earning golds here will earn you XP (as will multiplayer races) which go to unlocking new vehicles, liveries and colours. The cars aren’t as varied as they used to be on Mashed, but definitely look good. With a very Split/Second or Ridge Racer design feel to them.



The game itself is very well presented. Real time damage and some nice looking and sometimes challenging tracks to take part in, Wrecked is a fine looking example of arcade games today, it’s just a shame there isn’t enough of it.
As I’ve already touched upon, the game as a multiplayer is great fun. You'll have hours of play both over live and in local games. However the handful of tracks and little to unlock can result in some gradual boredom. As a single player game, again as time goes on and you grab all the gold medals, there won’t be much of a calling to the game unless you’ve got some good mates who fancy popping over.

At 1200 Microsoft Points, Wrecked is just a teeny bit overpriced for a game that whilst offers loads in fun, brings little in new content. Most upsettingly is the 'available at launch' Downloadable Content Pack which adds new cars, tracks and weapons, for an extra 400 Microsoft Points. Surely this alone, should have just gone in the original release? On a whole, Wrecked is worth a grab, but just be sure to keep an eye on those discount sections.

7.2

Click here to view the article