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Destruction racing fans rejoice: Wreckfest is returning!
The original Wreckfest was a smash hit, so it’s no surprise that a sequel is on the way. Announced in August 2024 during the THQ Nordic Showcase, Wreckfest 2 is crashing its way onto Steam Early Access in March, with the sequel being hailed as the “next evolution of full-contact racing.”
Buckle up: here’s everything we know about Wreckfest 2 so far.
What is Wreckfest 2?
Wreckfest 2 is a destruction racer and sequel to 2018’s Wreckfest. Inspired by Scandinavian folk racing, the series focuses on full-contact racing, with spectacular crashes and soft-body damage modelling. Players drive a range of unlicensed cars to destruction, from muscle cars to saloons, as well as novelty vehicles like combine harvesters and driveable sofas.
Like the first game, Wreckfest 2 is developed by Finland’s Bugbear Entertainment, creator of the original Flatout series. Since the first FlatOut’s release in 2004, the studio has specialised in destruction racing games and went on to develop the Ridge Racer Unbounded spin-off before Wreckfest.
Wreckfest 2 will introduce a new iteration of Bugbear’s in-house ROMU engine, offering the “highest possible fidelity” and “maximum accuracy in demolition physics and vehicle dynamics simulation.” Audio will also see significant improvements, described by Bugbear as a “game changer.”
Race tracks will feature “crazy courses with jumps, intersections and oncoming traffic.” Naturally, demolition derby arenas are also returning, where the objective is to cause maximum destruction and be the last car standing.
Wreckfest 2 release date
Wreckfest 2 is slamming onto Steam via Early Access on 20th March, 2025, with pricing to be confirmed. A release date or window for the final game has yet to be confirmed.
Originally called Next Car Game, the original Wreckfest spent four years in Early Access before the final game arrived in 2018. Since new technology was created for the original, the sequel won’t likely stay in Early Access as long.
Platforms
Wreckfest 2 is slated for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The original game was cross-generation, but the sequel won’t be coming to PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
The original Wreckfest was later released on Nintendo Switch in an impressive port, but there’s no word yet if Wreckfest 2 will smash its way onto Nintendo Switch 2.
New levels of destruction
Wreckfest is renowned for its soft-body damage model, with cars realistically crumpling in collisions. The sequel is set to take vehicular destruction to the next level, in what Bugbear calls the “next evolution of full-contact racing.”
Bugbear promises we can expect “even higher crash fidelity” and “more intricate component damage simulation.” A shot in the trailer shows that tyres will now disintegrate after heavy damage before falling off, exposing the wheel rim.
Car customisation
One of Wreckfest 2’s key new features is its detailed car customisation, giving players plenty of freedom to design custom liveries.
The initial Early Access release will focus on cosmetic changes, allowing you to paint and decorate your car with new colours and rust effects. More customisation options that affect your car’s stats will be added throughout the Early Access phase, including armour and spiked tyres like the first game.
Designs will also be sharable with other players later during Early Access.
Revamped career mode
The original Wreckfest featured an extended career mode where you completed objectives and earned stars to unlock events.
While the career mode isn’t expected to be accessible in the version released in March, Bugbear plans to add “a completely revamped career mode” that “adapts to your individual playstyle and guides you on your journey to become a true champion” at some point in the Early Access programme.
Additional modes during the Early Access stage include special challenges featuring “unconventional vehicles” and the return of tournaments, where players can earn rewards in unique rotating events.
Multiplayer: new skill-based matchmaking and split-screen
Despite its age, Wreckfest is still a blast to play online. It’s still easy to find active servers and enjoy some cathartic carnage with friends.
According to Bugbear, Wreckfest 2’s multiplayer will support up to 24 players like before, but will be enhanced with skill-based matchmaking (aka ranked multiplayer) and server queues.
While Wreckfest supported cross-gen multiplayer, allowing PS4 and PS5 players and Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One players to race together, crossplay between different platforms wasn’t possible.
As such, it’s not yet known if Wreckfest 2’s multiplayer will support crossplay multiplayer across PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Offline, Wreckfest 2 will also support split-screen multiplayer for the first time – at the expense of potentially ruining friendships.
Trailers
Two trailers have been released so far. The first announcement trailer was released in August 2024, with a teaser focusing on an aggressive driver with voiceovers.
A second destruction-filled trailer arrived five months later alongside the Early Access release date announcement, showcasing Wreckfest 2’s improved damage system as cars crash into each other and trackside objects.
Are you looking forward to smashing up the competition when Wreckfest 2 hits Early Access? Let us know in the comments below.
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