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Nightmare Kart Review

Casey ScheldJune 16, 2024

Beast Hunters will be able to kick the tires and light the fires with the release of LWMedia’s Gothic-themed combat racer Nightmare Kart. Does the night call out for all, or is this title less than divine?

Nightmare Kart Review

Players will hit the track of Nightmare Kart right from the offset with its Campaign mode. Signing a contact under the watchful eye (literally) of the Dream Watchers, players will choose their voice and ride, beginning this Nightmare in search of answers – and some best lap times to boot.

Despite its grim setting, Nightmare Kart handles like a dream. Controls are responsive, with a Boost consuming Aether Vials and the proper drift granting them right back. There are also some advanced maneuvers, with the Power Brake providing a fast turn, tricks after jumps, and White Flares serving as item boxes.

All of these features are staples for the kart racing genre, coming as no surprise to those who have raced with the likes of Mario or Crash in the past. However, Nightmare Kart handles well, providing a thrill racing fans will flock to like a moth to a flame.

However, Nightmare Kart isn’t just a racer; it’s a combat title as well. By taking down enemies, players will be able to get themselves Blood Droplets that increase one’s max speed. There are other racers to take down, sure, but there are also a number of different threats dotting each racetrack just begging to be annihalated.

As a result, Nightmare Kart places a bit of a heavier emphasis on its items. Racing the perfect line is absolutely important, but it also pays to be aware of one’s surroundings. We loved this shift in gameplay, and while the amount of hazards can rival that of Mario Kart Wii, it is still a worthwhile addition worthy of a Molotov Mine.

For those who like battle modes, Nightmare Kart’s Team Bloodbath and Boss Battles accentuate these combat features quite nicely. Controlled chaos sums it up quite well – pairing speed with action and projectiles, it leads to a frenzy we couldn’t get enough of. There’s even a chance to play a little sportsball with some Insight – a nice touch.

Perhaps the biggest wrinkle in Nightmare Kart is its presentation. Designed to mimic a 32-bit racing game, players will navigate low poly environments, encounter vintage loading screens, and even save to a “memory card.”

While these flourishes are most certainly not for everybody, an incredible amount of attention-to-detail went into Nightmare Kart’s overall aesthetics. If released in 1996, players would be none-the-wiser – and we mean that as the highest form of compliment.

Nightmare Kart is positively dreamy, channeling the best kart racers to create something truly divine. While the emphasis on combat might lead to some unnecessary chaos, its addictive blend of speed and offense makes it worthy of all Hunters.

Nightmare Kart Review

Reviewed On: PC
Release Date: June 5, 2024
MSRP: Free
Platforms: PC
Developer: LWMedia
Publisher: LWMedia
Alternative Reviews: Bloody Disgusting
Aggregate Scores: Metacritic
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