Review of Horizon Chase 2

 Jul 23, 2024

The arcade racing games of the 1990s had an unadulterated and ridiculously enjoyable quality. Even if this genre hasn't been well-liked in a while, at least we can credit Aquiris Games Studio for creating the incredible masterpiece that is Horizon Chase 2.

Vintage Audio and Vintage Images

I like that Horizon Chase 2, which was made by a tiny team, has a distinct perspective. Its only objective was to provide an enjoyable gaming experience that combines the thrilling gameplay of games like as Top Gear and Lotus Turbo Challenge. Similar to its predecessor, Horizon Chase 2 has straightforward, vintage-style visuals. But compared to its predecessor, the game has a much superior visual aesthetic that is more stylish and less out of date. Although I don't mind the previous design, I think the new images are fantastic and well suited for a follow-up.

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Abaere captured this screen grab

You get precisely what you anticipate in terms of music. The soundtrack is a fantastic fit with the game's graphics. Catchy melodies and a nostalgic vibe from the lively tunes make me feel pleased and at ease, as if I'm speeding through the sun in a beach city in California. Barry Leitch's proficiency in his field is evident. One of the greatest soundtracks for a vintage indie game I've ever heard is Horizon Chase 2.

Horizon Chase 2 sacrifices realism for speed, much like each other excellent game in the genre. You're forced to let off the throttle pedal and be alert due to the game's fast-paced action and hectic atmosphere, which never really lets up. Thus, you'll be accelerating and sidestepping other drivers most of the time, but occasionally you'll need to let off on the pedal to avoid being pushed off the road during a turn.

Being above 200 km/h and knowing you have complete control over your vehicle is a calming feeling. The arcade elements of Horizon Chase 2 made me feel like the greatest driver I've ever played, as I dodged the vehicles of other racers who couldn't keep up with me and watched as the homes and trees vanished as quickly as they appeared.

Similar but Distinct

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Captured using Abaere

You may participate in eight different nations on more than 80 courses worldwide in Horizon Chase 2's World Tour mode. However, since the game also has a Tournament mode with varying difficulty levels, there are other ways to play.

One of my current favorite couch games is Horizon Chase 2, which has a multiplayer option that lets you play against other people both locally and online.

Spin-Offs

Although there are only ten automobiles available for players to choose from in this game, you may modify and personalize your cars. Furthermore, it seems to me that this time around, the automobiles are more different from one another. I really enjoy that driving a pickup truck made hitting other vehicles seem considerably less unpleasant than driving smaller automobiles. Nevertheless, it does seem strange that there are now many fewer automobiles accessible to the participants.

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Abaere captured this screen grab

The game's repetitiveness is the one element that might turn off certain gamers after a time. Since Horizon Chase 2 has few elements, some players may find the game monotonous after listening to every song and competing on 20 different tracks. Nevertheless, given that this is identical to any arcade racer from the 1990s, I doubt that most lovers of the genre will find this to be a problem. Furthermore, the vast array of diverse courses and settings more than offset it.

The Decision

Arcade racing game Horizon Chase 2 is excellent. Even though it only contains ten vehicles, it is far superior than its predecessor in almost every way, including customization possibilities, over eighty courses, and an engaging graphic style. The gameplay is equally enjoyable, the game seems more polished, and the visual direction is far more realized. Despite the similarities between the two games, I think there was still potential for development, but Horizon Chase 2 looks better, feels more polished, and has more personality than its predecessor.