Recently we saw a preview of Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Rise of Sh1FT3R, the racing adventure based on the Netflix animated series. Developed by 3D Clouds and published by Outright Games, this title looked to feature the furious feeling in a more accessible package.
Using the Spy Racers part of the FF universe is a bold choice but one that was necessary after how bad the Crossroads game from Bandai was. While Rise of SH1FT3R is aiming to be just as accessible to the broad audience, the difference we saw was how it uses its simplicity. You’ll play through racing-based driving missions as one of the characters from the show voiced by its cast Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf), Renee Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton original cast), and Luke Youngblood (Harry Potter).
Featuring tracks set in five locations including Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, and the Sahara Desert, the game allows players to use high-tech spy gear to gain the upper hand in the game’s story mode and features online and split-screen multiplayer races for up to six players. When you jump into the story, the racing feels adrenaline-fueled more so than previous Fast and Furious games. Though the locations aren’t spectacular, the tracks hold secrets players will need to find in order to beat the A.I. There are tons of unlocks that allow you to use SH1FT3R’s own vehicles complete with their own spy weapons.
The balance of drive and combat is what sets the game apart, in a way it looks like it has more to do with kart racers than a Forza-style game. That’s far from a bad thing since the majority of its selling points are directed towards multiplayer and party couch competition. In order to achieve it, the game will need a wow factor but will also need simplicity in order for players to get hooked.
Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Rise of Sh1FT3R launches this November for PS4, PS5, Switch, X1, Steam, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia. Currently, there is no plan for crossplay.
