Review | WHAT THE CAR? 'A Zany And Whacky Delight' (PC)

What if you took Hotwheels, but added giraffes? What if you took Rocket League, but added mines? What if you took your local water park slide, but added rubber ducks? What if you played WHAT THE CAR? and enjoyed every minute of it? Because that’s exactly what I did.

I have had the privilege of playing WHAT THE CAR? early, and when I say privilege, I truly mean it. WHAT THE CAR? is an absolute delight. Its zany world and loony scenarios will leave a smile permanently affixed to your face. The game is fun, creative, and… somewhat accessible.

What The Heck Makes This Game So Good?!

WHAT THE CAR? is not your typical racing game. You play as Car, an adorable yellow hatchback who is simply living his best life. The game is comprised of several hub worlds containing multiple levels. Each level has a clearly defined start and end, but how Car navigates them is different almost every time. Sometimes Car will have to propel over ravines using rocket boosters, and other times Car will have to extend and retract himself like an accordion to make it past obstacles. Overall, the enjoyment derives from the game’s elements of puzzle-solving and humour.

The simplicity of the gameplay style is what intrigues me the most. When almost every level requires a different method of getting from start to finish, how do Triband make new game mechanics so simple to understand and quick to master? That’s some good ingenuity right there.

*See how this silly little car enjoys whacky minigames? Very not-demure. Very zany.* (Triband)

The gameplay is whacky, intuitive, and unexpected. After previewing the game in July, I was so pleased to see the levels continue to evolve and meet expectations – and in some ways even surpass them.

Just when you think you have finished the game, there is more to do. Did you explore every nook and cranny in the overworld map? Well, you better. From extra levels to eccentric minigames, and even difficult challenges that will push you to your limits, there is so much packed into a deceivingly simple game. You could spend countless hours just exploring this technicolour dreamscape.

Developers, Triband, have already confirmed more content is on the way, with monthly updates and more episodes.

What The Level Creator?!

Creating your own levels is as easy to pick up as the game mechanics. The game will walk you through the tutorial step-by-step, but overall creating a level is almost like using a paintbrush… except the paintbrush is a car (you have to give them credit for sticking with the theme). Drive around painting terrain, dropping launchpads, placing obstacles, and have yourself a good time.

When you’re happy with your level, why not share it with the community? Even at launch there are plenty of community created levels available! These levels are a mixed bag of course, but there are a few gems hidden amongst the chaos.

*These levels won’t create themselves, and Mumma needs a new article!* (Triband)

To search for a level you can either search a name through a list of pre-determined words and phrases, or play a level from a shared link. This enables players to peruse the random assortment of community creations, or find one from a friend.

The door is now open for streamers to ask their community to submit levels for a competition, or journalists to publish a list of the “Top Ten Community Levels You Simply MUST Play From WHAT THE CAR?” (excuse me while I go ahead and copyright that one real quick for a future article).

What If There Was Accessibility?

Spoiler alert: there isn’t. Well, that is a bit harsh… There is, however, it is very rudimentary.

The game’s largest accessibility feature is not a feature per se, but rather the fact that it can be played one-handed (on PC). With my left hand only I was able to operate the entire game using the WASD keys and the Space Bar on my keyboard. I would only occasionally need to move my hand over to the Enter key when entering and exiting a level, but this never felt awkward or uncomfortable while playing the game.

*Everybody simply MUST play this game, but not everybody CAN.*

The only accessibility settings available in the game’s menu are the options to toggle controller rumble and screen shake. To be fair, a game at this level with fairly simple controls does not require much in terms of accessibility, but even some settings to assist with colour blindness or an auto-jump toggle could take WHAT THE CAR? to the next level.

*This game doesn’t jump the shark… or does it?* (Triband)

What If You Played WHAT THE CAR? Too?

WHAT THE CAR? is a phenomenal fever dream wrapped in technicolour charm. From whacky level designs to pop-culture references, every second you spend with this game will delight you. With so much to do right off the bat, and so much more to come from both the developers and the community themselves, you simply must pick up and play WHAT THE CAR?

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to create a list of my top 10 favourite community levels.

P.S. Please join our Discord and send through your level creations for an upcoming feature piece!

WHAT THE CAR? is a funny, physics-based indie platformer, and is available to play on Apple Arcade now, and releases on PC via Steam on September 9th.

Quest Daily scores WHAT THE CAR?:

8.5/10

A review copy of WHAT THE CAR? was supplied to Quest Daily for the purpose of the article.