Crash First, Finish Later: Wreckfest 2 Hits Early Access
Wreckfest 2 doesn’t tiptoe into Early Access—it smashes through the gates, tires screeching and body panels flying. Bugbear Entertainment’s follow-up to their cult-favorite destruction derby racer revives everything fans loved about the original: over-the-top crashes, unpredictable AI, and a twisted love letter to vehicular mayhem. But while the engine roars and the metal crunches louder than ever, what’s under the hood is still very much a work in progress.
This Early Access version feels more like a polished crash test than a fully playable game. That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it does mean players should set their expectations accordingly. There’s brilliance in Wreckfest 2’s bones—but many of its limbs are still missing.
What’s Included in Early Access?
Let’s talk features. Here’s what you’re actually buying right now:
- 4 Playable Cars: Two are familiar (the Roadslayer and Rocket), two are new (Striker and Ginger).
- 3 Environments: Sandpit, Scrapyard, and Bonebreaker (with a few variations).
- 1 Playground Map: A sandbox-style testing ground for pure chaos—ramps, loops, and launchers galore.
- 2 Core Modes: Circuit racing and demolition derby.
- Multiplayer Support: Basic but functional server browser is in place.
- Basic Customization: You can repaint your car—no tuning, upgrades, or decals yet.
- Photo & Replay Mode: Limited but lets you relive the carnage.
That’s it. No campaign, no garage, no unlocks, no absurd novelty vehicles (yet). It’s minimal, bordering on experimental.
Gameplay: Driving Feels Better Than Ever
Despite the skeletal content, the actual moment-to-moment gameplay is fantastic. Driving has received a notable upgrade from the first game.
🔧 Handling and Controls
Wreckfest 2 strikes a sweet balance between arcade fun and physical realism. Cars feel heavier, grip is more predictable, and braking is no longer a gamble. Rear-wheel muscle cars drift and spin with power but are harder to control. Front-wheel compacts like the Striker offer stability and easy cornering. There’s enough differentiation to make each car feel unique—and each race feel earned.
For players using a controller or wheel, inputs are responsive. Manual clutch is supported, and damage simulation can be cranked up for a more punishing experience.
Carnage That Looks—and Sounds—Better Than Ever
🎨 Visual Upgrades
This game is gorgeous. Whether it’s dust clouds rolling across the sandpit or debris flying after a high-speed T-bone, every visual detail amplifies the violence. Scrapyard, in particular, is a standout map full of stacked wrecks and tight, hazard-filled paths.
Textures are crisp, particle effects are sharp, and lighting has seen a massive overhaul. Cars look stunning in motion—before and after they’re reduced to smoking heaps.
🔊 Sound Design
The sound work is equally brutal and brilliant. Engines snarl and groan under stress, tires squeal with desperation, and metal-on-metal collisions are as crunchy as you’d hope. A damaged engine actually sounds damaged, sputtering and wheezing its way through the final lap.
Cockpit view adds immersion, especially with the upgraded interior detail. It’s hard not to smile when your windshield is cracked, your dash is smoking, and your seatbelt’s probably imaginary.
AI: A Beautiful Mess
Bugbear’s AI remains gloriously chaotic. CPU drivers are unpredictable—they’ll nudge, ram, spin out, and sometimes just yeet themselves into a wall. In demolition events, they behave like bloodthirsty lunatics. On the track, they’re aggressive but (mostly) competent. It’s fun and frustrating in equal measure—but that’s part of the charm.
There are still some pathfinding issues, especially on crossover-style tracks like Bonebreaker, where AI cars can glitch or pile up. It’s messy, but it often adds to the spectacle.
What’s Missing—And What’s Promised
Let’s be clear: Wreckfest 2 feels great, but it’s missing nearly everything you’d expect from a modern racing game.
- No Career Mode
- No Progression or Upgrades
- No Economy or Unlocks
- No Tuning or Stat Tweaks
- Limited Cars and Tracks
- No Real Incentive to Keep Playing
The devs have confirmed that all of the above are on the way. Community mod support is also in the pipeline. But right now, if you’re not here for the driving and crashes alone, there’s little reason to keep returning.
Highlights from the Track List
- Scrapyard: Packed with wreckage, narrow paths, and tight corners. It’s both chaotic and strategic.
- Bonebreaker: Designed for maximum carnage. Frequent crossovers and jumps lead to constant pileups.
- Savalac Sandpit: A more traditional circuit with sweeping turns and elevation changes.
- Testing Grounds: A no-rules playground full of absurd physics toys. It’s basically Wreckfest’s answer to a skatepark.
Each map feels distinct and built to highlight destruction over precision. There’s fun in learning their quirks—even if there are only a few of them.
Where It Shines (So Far)
🏎️ Driving Dynamics That Matter
The improved physics model makes each car a joy (or a menace) to handle. It’s immediately more accessible than Wreckfest 1 without sacrificing personality.
🔥 Crash Physics and Damage Modeling
Still the gold standard in the genre. Panels deform, parts fall off, and damage affects how your car performs—not just how it looks.
🎧 Top-Tier Audio Immersion
Engine degradation, wreck impacts, and tire feedback all feel incredibly alive. Every sound serves the gameplay.
🎮 Multiplayer Potential
While barebones for now, the core driving mechanics could translate beautifully into competitive or chaotic multiplayer once more options arrive.
Where It Needs Work
🏁 A Real Game Loop
No career, no progression, and no real reason to keep playing after a few hours. The game desperately needs a structure to support its incredible foundation.
💥 More Cars, More Modes, More Mayhem
Four cars and a few maps aren’t enough. The original Wreckfest thrived on its absurd variety—from lawnmower races to school buses. That spirit isn’t here—yet.
🧠 AI Polish and Bug Fixes
AI occasionally loses the plot, and crashes to desktop still occur. It’s Early Access, sure, but these issues add up fast.
Wreckfest 2 in Early Access: Chaos Check-In
Wreckfest 2 isn’t a sequel in the traditional sense—it’s more of a tune-up. The bones are stronger, the engine is meaner, and the polish is visible. But it’s still in the garage. The handling, destruction modeling, and sound design are already best-in-class, but right now, there’s not much of a game wrapped around those systems.
This is for the fans. For the curious. For those who loved the first and want to be part of the sequel’s growth. Everyone else? Put your wallet in park and wait for more features to roll out.
🏆 Metal Mayhem: What’s Working So Far
+ Driving That Feels Right
Improved handling makes every corner a balance of speed and survival.
+ Destruction Done Right
The damage system is deeper, more dynamic, and more satisfying than ever.
+ Sound That Hits Hard
Engines struggle, metal screams—every noise sells the chaos.
+ AI That Keeps You Guessing
Rivals play dirty in the best way. It’s unpredictable fun, even if it’s not always fair.
+ Visuals That Pop
Environments and cars look crisp, detailed, and alive—until they’re destroyed.
🛠️ Missing Pieces: What Holds It Back
– Content Starvation
Four cars and a few tracks won’t hold your attention for long.
– No Progression or Upgrades
Without goals, the sandbox wears thin quickly.
– Unstable Performance
Frequent crashes and input bugs still plague sessions.
– Shallow Customization
You can repaint your car, and that’s about it—for now.
Wreckfest 2: Wreckfest 2 nails what it must get right. The feel of driving. The thrill of impact. The joy of watching your car disintegrate mid-lap. But it’s not a full game yet—it’s a violent, promising prototype. If that sounds like your kind of fun, you’ll find something to enjoy here. Otherwise, wait until Bugbear gives it the bodywork it deserves. – Flare