While racing games are some of my favorite video games, there has been a specific type of racing game I've found the most challenging to play. Ironically enough it's not the simulation games that require several hundreds of dollars in rigs to get the "full experience," but it's the far simpler isometric arcade racer. In my experience with these kinds of racers, my perception of the cars becomes warped as camera angles make or break these titles. What seems like a right-hand corner is meant to be a left. Corners that seem light on the mini-map come at the player at blinding speed. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but Super Woden GP 2 makes a grand attempt at making it a delicious tea for those who take a sip.
A follow-up to 2021's Super Woden GP, the series is inspired by several racing games of the 90s, two of which stick to mind from the headline alone. The first is Neo Drift Out, an isometric arcade racing game released on the Neo Geo. The unique bird's eye camera angle and the car's tendency to powerslide responsively were some examples of what made Neo Drift Out a cult classic. It also dared to be different as the mid-90s featured a rise in 3D racing games. There were very few racing games that favored a "2D" appearance as many of the limitations of 2D were exceeded from the jump to 3D. Neo Drift Out proved that aging hardware can still provide enjoyment for a genre that rapidly embraced the future.
Super Woden GP 2's gameplay reflects what made that title great, with its no-frills pick-up-and-play gameplay that rewards fearless racing. In the two hours I've played Super Woden GP 2, the AI had been giving me a challenge and the game will expect the player to use every bit of what it offers to ensure the player succeeds. This leads to the second influence, Gran Turismo, and its impressive simulation mode. Everything that a player could want in a personal racing experience was there in one easy-to-follow map, separated by regions according to the nationality of each dealership. While there aren't licensed cars or tracks in Super Woden GP 2, almost every car is a homage to a real car, some more obvious than others.
There are no licenses to acquire and the progression system is a linear star system. Most of the game's races are locked behind the number of stars a player must earn by placing first in a race or tournament series. The more stars a player has, the more races they can enter, which unlocks powerful cars as potential prize cars. Early on I was getting quite a few cars from winning events so it's a valid strategy to save your money on upgrades instead of buying new cars. There are also seasonal events that earn the player credits for simply participating.
What surprised me the most about the gameplay was how each car behaved differently from the next. A muscle car with high base horsepower may theoretically be faster than a less-powerful sedan but it means a world of difference if that sedan is built with a racing specification. Weight goes into a lot when it comes to turning, with said muscle cars having a wide turning radius, forcing them to take a line that may not be the fastest. After enough time, players will find a class of cars that works best for them. I never found a race that was impossible to beat and if I was getting stomped, it meant my car wasn't cut out for the job or I needed more upgrades.
Players wanting a break from the main "simulation" mode can check out the arcade mode. There are three courses with three continues given to the player. Each course consists of several stages and players choose from a selection of preexisting cars. Each car is based on either a rally legend or a homage to iconic cars in gaming, like Sega Rally. Failure to make it to the end of a stage before the timer reaches zero leads to a game over. While it doesn't add anything to the player's progression, it is good practice for the player to get used to better vehicles than their slow starter cars.
That's the beauty of games like this. It's a very "go at your own pace" racing game that's beautiful to look at. The glow on the menus is a touch distracting but the in-game filters can be toggled to the player's liking. For less than thirteen bucks, there are literally hours of content for a game that anyone can hop in at any time and go on a drive. I recommend Super Woden GP 2 if you're even remotely a fan of racing games.
Super Woden GP 2 is available on Steam.