(Image credit: Bugbear/THQ Nordic)
Wreckfest 2 has officially landed on Steam Early Access, giving fans a glimpse into a new era of destruction-focused racing from the acclaimed developer Bugbear. The launch trailer doesn’t shy away from evidencing that this is truly an early access game—a very early one, indeed.
In the release trailer, viewers can feast their eyes on impressive crumple zones and gritty, stylish vehicles. But what’s truly captivating are the unpolished edges: greyboxes, surreal neck movements, and an epic overlay of a fatal error message as a vehicle quivers through a playground of physics mayhem. This candid presentation is refreshingly honest, signaling to players exactly the journey they are embarking on.
The voiceover in the trailer sets the tone for the adventure ahead: “It’s time for testing, learning… and lots of fixing,” it declares confidently. “We’ve got some serious new tech under the hood, and this is just the beginning. This is the start of something bigger. We’ve built the first tracks, the first cars, and now it is in your hands. So for the future, we need your opinion. Any ideas come to your mind? Let us know. Test yourself. Give it a spin and have some serious fun. And tell us what’s next.”
The community response is significant, with Steam reviews hinting at an intriguing mix, reaching a 73% positive rating. Many commend the robustness of the driving mechanism and the dynamic damage system. However, even cheerful supporters acknowledge the game’s skeletal frame at this stage, lamenting persistent glitches and critical errors that, regretfully, halt gameplay.
Early access is all about getting the core experience perfected while incrementally layering content. Bugbear forecasts at least 12 months of development in Early Access, though actual timelines may shift as game development meets community feedback. It’s a journey that aims to capture player insights to shape the future.
The predecessor of Wreckfest 2 also started its journey in early access, initially branded simply as Next Car Game. It matured over four years into what is now celebrated as one of the finest racing games. The anticipation now is for this sequel to cross the finish line more swiftly, yet just as triumphantly. As we await, weekly community digests and developer updates promise to keep the excitement alive for every fan eager for this adventure.