Wreckfest 2 Early Access Review: A Smashing Sequel

Released in Early Access on March 20, 2025, Wreckfest 2 marks the highly anticipated return of Bugbear Entertainment’s chaotic and thrilling vehicular combat racing series. While the game is still in its developmental phase, it offers a compelling look at what’s to come, with promising gameplay, enhanced physics, and a revamped approach to destruction derby racing.

Gameplay and Physics

At the heart of Wreckfest 2 is the same wild, high-energy racing and demolition action that made its predecessor so beloved. The game features a significant upgrade to its physics engine, with more realistic car handling, dynamic crashes, and damage mechanics. Vehicles in Wreckfest 2 now respond to collisions with even more detail — parts crumple, shatter, and spark in a way that truly elevates the sense of destruction. The driving feels more intuitive and balanced, offering players better control while still delivering the chaos fans expect.

Content and Features

While still in Early Access, Wreckfest 2 includes several exciting modes. Players can enjoy single-player races, demolition derbies, and multiplayer battles with up to 24 players, featuring both live competitors and AI-controlled bots. The game also includes a sandbox mode where players can freely explore and experiment. As of now, the vehicle selection is limited to four models, each reflecting a different era and car type, including American muscle and European compact cars. Although customization options are currently basic, further updates are expected to introduce deeper customization, with performance upgrades and cosmetic changes on the way.

Visuals and Sound

Visually, Wreckfest 2 makes a significant leap forward, with more detailed environments, improved textures, and a smoother presentation. The game’s tracks are more dynamic, offering a greater sense of immersion. The sound design is also more refined, with realistic engine roars, tire screeches, and the satisfying sound of cars crashing into each other, which amplifies the action on screen.

Community Feedback and Future Plans

The response from the community has been generally positive, though some players have noted the limited content in the current Early Access build. While many are thrilled by the game's potential, others have expressed concerns over technical issues and the relatively small amount of content available at launch. Bugbear Entertainment has listened to this feedback and is already working on addressing these concerns. The first major update, expected in May 2025, will add new tracks and vehicles. Future content will include a full career mode, expanded multiplayer options, and modding support, which will likely help extend the game’s longevity.

Conclusion

While Wreckfest 2 is still in its Early Access stage, it shows a lot of promise as a worthy follow-up to the original. The improvements to the driving mechanics, vehicle physics, and overall gameplay experience create a solid foundation for what’s to come. Although there’s still work to be done in terms of content and polish, Wreckfest 2 offers a fun and chaotic experience that will surely grow into a fan favorite as more updates are released.