Challenging Tracks

Driving a car is nowhere near as fun as it is in video games, given the fact that you have to respect all sorts of rules while in traffic. Video games are much more forgiving of mistakes, not to mention the fact that you can always just restart the whole thing and start over with no consequences. Even simulators are quite flexible in this regard, even if the physics are realistic.

Challenging Tracks is an arcade racing game in which your goal is to make it to the end of each level in one piece. The tracks are designed to be as gruesome as possible, which is why you have to perform jumps and various other stunts in order to get to the end. Unfortunately, the mechanics are very shaky and unenjoyable, mainly because it’s difficult to keep the car under control.

To begin with, every level features some kind of an obstacle, such as a big jump that requires a lot of speed to overcome, or a big ramp. On the other hand, it’s difficult to do so when the controls are very unstable and unresponsive, which can really frustrate you. The level design is not exactly brilliant either, although the stunts could make you forget all about than under ideal conditions.

There are also bugs to worry about, especially when you get stuck or unable to continue due to the car clipping through the road. Sometimes you are automatically respawned at the starting point, but other times you are just stuck roaming the mostly empty map, because there’s not really a way to get back on track. Thankfully, there’s a button that restarts the level, so at least that can be of help.

Finally, the graphics are nothing to write home about either, but they matter very little in this case. There are too many other problems to fix before the graphics become an issue, such as the poor controls and the awkward car handling. The level design could use a lot of work as well, especially when it comes to the tracks and the backgrounds.

In the end, Challenging Tracks is far from an entertaining game, but it has some potential that could be unlocked with work and dedication from the developers. Unfortunately, that is probably not going to happen, so maybe their next project is going to be different.