The engine roars and tires screech before your souped-up muscle car rockets across a colorful arena filled with ramps and loops. A second later, you’re airborne, spinning sideways and flipping upside-down as you rack up points before rubber meets pavement again. This is the simple premise behind Rekt, a new stunt racer that reminds us of classics like San Francisco Rush.
Rekt’s focus on crazy tricks and ridiculous hang-times is what sets it apart. There aren’t any linear courses and you don’t speed toward the finish line. Your only goal is to shatter your high score, your only opponent a countdown timer.
“It’s pretty old-school in that way, but it’s what got us hooked and it’s also what we see players do when they get into the game,” says Yannis Bolman, CEO of Little Chicken Games. “We had some insane high scores at the office, and we’re sure players will amaze us even more.”
Controls are straightforward and responsive. Tap left or right on the screen and your car—which handles with a just-right amount of heavy physics—steers accordingly. Swipe in any direction off a jump and your vehicle spins. Nothing to it. But the devil is in the details, and those who respect the clock and link together death-defying combos will drive away with the most points.
As you familiarize yourself with the controls and arena, you’ll soon find your vehicle zipping through loops, racing up walls, flipping through hoops, and more as your previous high score runs for the hills. And you’ll want to show off your latest runs to friends, which is why the game also includes a replay mode.
The more challenges crushed and points earned, the more cars become unlocked. Although vehicles aren’t licensed, those with discerning eyes will definitely spot some similarities between their favorite rides, inclusive of everything from classic American muscle to tricked-out vans, each with unique physics.
“You’ll notice taller cars tend to bounce around a bit more, while others might feel more nimble,” says Yannis. “It’s really up to your play style to find the ideal car for you.”