Disclosure:I did obtain this game for free during a giveaway. However, my review is unbiased.
Garfield Kart – Furious Racing is a Kart racing game that features the characters from the titular comic as the main characters in game.
As the game suggests this is a Kart racing game in which you race around a track with up to 8 players in each race. Just like other Kart games you can get power ups from driving through blocks. Blocks provide you with a power up or way to stop an opponent in the race. To add to this you can pick up to 3 different jigsaw pieces in each map. Which are scattered in each map, that when collected unlock items such as hats for your character to wear.
The gameplay in itself is decent as the game functions well, the AI is reasonable and isn’t too hard/easy. The tracks in game I think are a decent variety in the game. As there are some tracks that can be more challenging than others like the mysterious temple. This track has ledges that you may jump across with a spring or fall down into the pit. Whilst other tracks in the game are gentler such as the Catz in the hood. This is a track that is set in a neighbourhood. This is an easy track to navigate with no obligatory road blocks to go past. Although, there is one optional block you can jump over to get a jigsaw piece.
With regards to multiplayer there are 2 options on offer. Firstly, you have split screen which is a local multiplayer mode. This mode caters up to 4 people, where you can race against each other and the AI. As expected with this mode each player will need their own controller to play on it. But, this game meant to be played with a controller rather than a keyboard. Lastly, there is online multiplayer this mode is playing the game with others online. Even though I didn’t get to play on this mode I tried on multiple attempts to play with people but to no avail.
This game also doesn’t utilise the Garfield theme to the full potential it could have had. I think this as the tracks in game are generic settings. For example, the tracks are of various settings such as mountains and the desert. Whilst I’m not one to criticise the tracks as the tracks on offer are decent. I think that the game could have had tracks that are more relevant to Garfield. Particularly, tracks where you race around various settings that are in Garfield Comics instead such as Jon’s house. Personally, I would have preferred to have been on tracks related to Garfield rather than generic settings.
The game does have items in the power up blocks that are relevant to Garfield. Whilst you can easily use lasagne to replace mushroom power ups etc. The amount of work needed to create various levels is large. I feel that with a game that is based around a character/show. The game should have everything into making it as authentic to what it is based off as possible. Rather than using things that aren’t related to Garfield.
To summarise this game in short terms I would say that this game is essentially the average Kart racer with Garfield as the main character. Whilst, this maybe all well and good for Garfield fans. I think that this game is only worth getting on sale if you like Garfield and kart racing games. But I feel that it isn’t worth getting at full price or if you wanted an online kart racing game.
