Review for Matchbox Driving Adventures

Initial release date: September 20, 2024

Developer: Casual Brothers Limited

Publisher: Outright Games

Genres: Action game, Racing game, Racing, Adventure

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S

Engine: Unity

As a child, I was accustomed to creating my own entertainment, as were many others my age. Of course, back then, everything was in fields, the world was black and white, and every car was accompanied by a man waving a red flag, but I digress.

We used to entertain ourselves by playing with toy vehicles, and the Matchbox line, like Hot Wheels, was a big hit. With the release of Matchbox Driving Adventures for the Xbox, today’s youth may recreate the fun we had playing in the dirt in a virtual environment.

Thanks to Outright Games and Casual Brothers, we now have a racing game for the younger player, which is probably ideal for me in my dotage! So, shall we explore the world of Matchbox toy cars and see what the video game has to offer?

Matchbox Driving Adventures is a nostalgic hit.

A racing game never really has a story, as this example demonstrates. While there is an adventure mode to explore (and this will be where you spend the majority of your time, unless you enjoy racing), it is more of a collection of objectives than a cohesive story. However, if this strategy works well in Forza Motorsport, I am confident it will work here as well.

Graphically, Matchbox Driving Adventures looks precisely as a game focused at the younger end of the market should: large, vibrant colors, lots of spectacular effects, and the Matchbox car you’re now driving front and center on the screen.

However, this is one of my complaints, and you may have any camera angle you like as long as it is from above and behind the vehicle you’re driving. You may choose the distance from which you view the car, but that’s it – and as someone who prefers the front bumper view while driving, this disappointed me. Still, I know that many gamers find it simpler to see their automobile when driving. One more complaint regarding the camera before I move on: when you win a race, the camera follows your car around a little, but when it enters a narrow section of the circuit, the camera is shoved inside the vehicle and the engine noise becomes loud – this is a little off-putting to say the least.

Fortunately, the rest of the time the sound is fine, with each mission beginning with a voiceover. The problem is that the same voice keeps appearing in the events you participate in, encouraging you to “Get the car in the air to earn boost!””And so on. This gets old quickly. Aside from that, the engine sounds are adequate, the music is unobtrusive, and the overall presentation should appeal to the target group.

Experience a Matchbox adventure.

Now, on to the real racing action, and we’ll start with the racing side of the game, which is rather easy and uncomplicated. You can race on 14 distinct tracks, each with four modifications, so there’s plenty of content to try out. The many biomes you meet each have their own distinct look and feel, as well as hazards; from crocodiles lunging out of a swamp to octopi on the beach, you must exercise caution while driving.

You can also compete solo or with up to three others in local multiplayer, and the good news is that split screen racing is returned! The multiplayer and single player modes both function nicely, and once you’ve completed the single races, there are several championships to compete in. With some of the many achievements related to this mode, it is worth a try.

The main mode focus is Adventure Mode, as the chief of the Matchbox Adventure Squad believes we are the best driver around and has devised a series of tasks to prove it. There are a few different ones to pick from, ranging from simple races to objectives such as collecting a load of seashells before a sandstorm hits or driving into a troublemaker to stop them. The modes vary greatly and are based on different areas of the map. To get to a new zone for the first time, you must travel down a busy route. Don’t assume you can take shortcuts either; if Forza Horizon 5 has taught us anything, it’s that driving on the road is where the real fun lies!

As you might think, there are a surprising number of Matchbox favorite cars to unlock and drive, ranging from fire engines and mail vans to SUVs and sports cars, all available in a variety of beautiful colors. However, each task appears to be associated with a car, so you may only drive your chosen vehicle on road parts, which somewhat contradicts the purpose. Still, there are numerous tasks to complete, and each one is distinct from the one before it, so you should never be bored. And, with medals awarded for each, achieving a perfect score is rather challenging.

Perfect for children.

Unfortunately, the car controls are a tad erratic; when the announcer urges you to “drift to earn boost!””, this is surprisingly tough, as you’ll usually run into a barrier and be stopped dead. This is not ideal for a close-run race! The brakes don’t appear to do much either, and the boost you gain makes the car almost unmanageable. Need more? When you drive into reverse, the camera swings around to show you the front of the car, but the controls do not reverse, which causes a lot of confusion. Matchbox Driving Adventures isn’t a particularly good driving game. Younger gamers may find it easier to drive this manner, therefore I may be misinterpreting the situation.

Matchbox Driving Adventures fails to deliver as an adult concept. However, the children it is aimed at may find it far more appealing; it is surely colorful, bright, and fast enough to keep their attention.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 72%

Controls: 74%

Aesthetics: 77%

Content: 70%

Accessibility: 75%

Value: 73%

Overall: 73%

GOOD

Summary: “Matchbox Driving Adventures” offers a fun and accessible driving experience for younger audiences. The game’s easy gameplay and bright visuals enable players to take on a variety of missions and driving difficulties. While the controls are rather simple to use, some precision concerns may detract from the overall experience. Although the content is enjoyable, it lacks the variety required for sustained involvement. Overall, “Matchbox Driving Adventures” is a great pick for kids and Matchbox aficionados, offering a fun journey in a charming driving world.