Switchcars, Switch-trains, Switch-trams, Switchplanes, Switch-helicopters, Switch-tractors, Switch-tanks, Switch-snowmobiles etc.
Switchcars takes hitchhiking to the next level, or perhaps grand theft depending on how you look at it. Your spritely little man seems to have gotten himself into a bit of trouble as giant green monsters from another dimension are chasing him through time (well that was an interesting sentence to write). If that isn’t already the worst part of his day, he is stuck without a ride and that’s when all hell breaks loose.
Essentially Switchcars is a runner, although I hesitate to place it in that category as it doesn’t deserve to be compared to the mobile trash that has given that particular genre a bad name. You move from left to right searching for vehicles to hijack and aid in your escape. Using your trusty grappling hook, you can grab passing traffic and reel your flailing body into the driver’s seat. You can swap between 3 vehicles at any time, and you’ll find yourself switching often as fuel runs out, or you just crash into one of the many obstacles.
Terrain plays an important role as you move through locations. They range from snow to lava caves and everything in between, each location coming with a selection of terrain or lanes. Every vehicle performs differently on different surfaces, so making sure you have the right ride for the job is critical. This is where Switchcars drives off the proverbial cliff and into the chasm filled to the brim with vehicle choices. With over 1000 to choose from (a number which is growing during its time in Early Access) you are constantly searching for a better mode of transport. Indicators alert you to the next location’s terrain type and ensuring that you can traverse it successfully can often be a struggle. This matter is made more difficult when you start hitting underground sections with nothing but spiky rocks and a single train line.
As you move through time, the range of vehicles become even more diverse and the locations more cluttered, increasing their difficulty. If you spend too little time moving forward because you crashed your car or ran out of fuel those green slug monsters will be hot on your tail, smashing into you and your ride alike. Although more often than not your run will come to an abrupt halt when you are pulling yourself towards a speeding car via grappling hook and don’t hit the acquire button quick enough, slamming your squishy human body into the bonnet. Not to worry though, every new year you reach successfully acts as a checkpoint and starting point for your next run. The goal of the game is to get from 1950 to 2055 without becoming a monster’s meal.
Fast paced action, buzzing chiptunes and a colorful blur of vehicles and environments make this a wonderful ride, even so early in development. A couple minutes playing can easily turn into an hour as you keep hitting restart. The game continues to grow with consistent updates and I can’t wait to see what fancy new toys I can crash.
