Plot: What’s it about?
While the X-Box 360 has some excellent racing games, there aren’t many good kart racers available. Jimmie Johnson’s Anything with an Engine promises wild, madcap races, but does it deliver? This is one insane kart racer, with over the top vehicles, powerful weapons, and some wacky tracks to burn rubber on. After all, isn’t racing more fun if you’re behind the wheel of a shopping cart, coffin, or even a toilet? Anything with an Engine focuses on mayhem, with driver specific weapons and race tracks loaded with traps and hazards. So while speed and solid driving is still important, the real key to success is to take out your enemies and be defensive on the track. As with most kart racers, expect to be spun out, run off the road, and smacked with weapons a lot, but you’ll dish out as much (if not more) as you take. The various karts seem well balanced and you’ll want to test out several before settling on your regular choice.
As far as basic race mechanics, Anything with an Engine is rock solid, but is by no means on a Forza level. But since you’ll be engaged with weapons and road rage style driving, you won’t miss the pinpoint handling here. This feels like a kart racer should, fast and out of control, with a focus on fun over realism. The track designs are quite cool, with creative locations and great layouts of traps, hazards, and wild jumps. The karts are awesome as well, with some insane options that will have the track looking more like a gumball rally than a sanctioned race. I find these kind of racers to be the most fun with friends, so I was pleased to find ample multi-player options included. Up to four people can race in a local split-screen match, or take the karts on-line for up to 8 people on the track, which is just madness. The game is fun against the computer controlled karts, but really shines in a competitive environment. I had a lot of fun with Anything with an Engine and if you’re a fan of kart racers, you’ll want to check it out. The game is a blast, the price is reasonable, and did I mention you can drive a toilet?
Video: How does it look?
This is a budget priced game, so the budget visuals shouldn’t be a surprise. The colorful kart racers look cool, with some creative designs. The tracks also look decent, but there isn’t much depth or detail to the environments. The lack of depth makes it seem like all the elements in the background are paper thin, which is an odd choice. But since the karts and the tracks look good, I don’t want to be overly critical here.
Audio: How does it sound?
The sound design is basic, but effective. The roar of the engine, the tires peeling out around corners, and the wonderful sound of your car spinning out of control all come through quite well. I was never blown away by the power or presence, but all the usual race elements are here in solid fashion. Sitting on a toilet has never sounded this…pleasant.
Supplements: What are the extras?
N/A
