I went through a pretty extensive Hot Wheels phase as a kid. I liked the brightly coloured static track sets, particularly the ones that featured any kind of loop, but I always preferred to take my diecast cars off-road. As entertaining as the predetermined paths were, I always opted to race across countertops, the Ross Bridge, around my bedroom, and through the kitchen, much to my mum’s chagrin. All these years later, that yearning for miniaturised freedom is still strong within me, if Hot Wheels Infinite Rush is anything to go by.
The third instalment in developer Milestone’s Hot Wheels series, Infinite Rush trades the bombastic tracks set up within houses and in backyards and trades them for an open world scaled to the size of the titular toy cars. I’ve taken a preview build of Infinite Rush for a spin, screaming around a handful of locations and taking part in various races and challenges, and it appears that this move was the right one.
Rather than choosing a race or a circuit, I was dropped right in the middle of the opening island, Wheelsworld, and given free rein to explore. The sizeable map features a cityscape filled with cars puttering about their business, as a gigantic ape plucked from a specific Hot Wheels set hangs from the tallest tower. The iconic bright orange tracks weave through the buildings, breaking up what would otherwise be a normal-looking town if you squinted.
Tearing around the open world has a charm unto itself, with massive toys like pterodactyls and comically large burgers scattered throughout the area. Activity markers tempted me to interact with the world outside of just boosting around it. Soon I was using the photo mode to capture specific landmarks and cars, pulling off stunts, collecting Hot Wheels logos and Gears, and, yes, taking part in races.
Time attacks, quick races, eliminations- all the competitions I took part in were engaging and fun, thanks to the tight core controls Milestone has developed. Boosting, handling, and speed are all dependent on the type of car you take into the race with you. Drifters treat corners like a suggestion, Titans are larger and hit harder, Speeders try to break the sound barrier, and Versatile cars meet a balance in the middle of all three.
Each of the four car types feels unique, and the dozens of specific motors within these archetypes have their own quirks and stats to boot. Thankfully, you’ll be able to test them out to your heart’s content in the open world, as a press of a button allows you to switch out to a new ride. Of course, these aren’t your regular sedans and hatchbacks. I had the most fun burning rubber in a duck car that would shoot flames from its insanely large exhaust whenever I activated its boost.
Campaign progression is pushed along by completing specific races and challenges. Once a threshold is met, you’ll earn an audience with the island’s Rush Master. Beat that beast in a head-to-head, and you’ll add that set of wheels directly to your garage. Even without climbing that ladder, various Daredevil Racers can be found cruising the streets, begging to be challenged. In another example of a fun open-world activity, all you need to do is drive up, hold a button, and you’re one-on-one against that car in an attempt to claim it for yourself.
Fun exploration underpinned my time with Infinite Rush. I still love the high-speed racing, and the attention to detail when it comes to the models will forever blow me away, but it’s the move to an open world that continues to intrigue. The brief time I spent with Infinite Rush promised islands packed with activities and oddities that are begging to be uncovered. If the full release can live up to this promise, we might have an entry-level Forza Horizon on our hands, albeit one with less partying and more plastic.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush launches on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC on September 10.
Previewed on PC using a code provided by the publisher.
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