Phaseshift Early Access Preview: Crotch Rockets

Out now in Early Access [it actually got put back to the 8th of March – me], Phaseshift is a fast-paced futuristic combat racer that boasts 12 tracks to play with, 3 customisable bikes, and 16+ weapons from the outset. So, do you invest at this early stage or wait for the future(istic) full release?

The immediate advantage is getting to play the game now, plus having some input in how the game develops. Don’t want to get involved in the community and expect developers to be telepathic? You could keep quiet and enjoy the ride in the meantime. What’s on offer?

First of all, Phaseshift won’t have you leaving streaks in your pants for a multitude of reasons:

1. The Championship mode (campaign) wasn’t available at the time of writing.
2. It’s not that fast.
3. You should be able to control skidmarks by now.

Let’s break down the first two as the third is TMI. The Championship mode is vital in a racing game; at the least, there should be online play or split-screen. Again, at the time of writing (12:56), there’s no online mode or split-screen, but they are on the roadmap. In the meantime, the AI is perfectly fine, and the difficulty levels are reliable.

While Early Access gets your name on the guest list, you still have to appreciate that they’ve still got the painters in (not a euphemism) as Bubblehead Studios is currently adding new bikes, plus fiddling with the Championship route. But there’s no stepping over paint pots or ducking under scaffolding as Phaseshift is perfectly playable, with a fair share of modes and weapons already on the table.

There aren’t any tutorials: keep pushing forward, turning left and right when needed. Jumping to no. 2 in that exhaustive list above, Phaseshift won’t give you a nosebleed in terms of speed as you’re unlikely to hit any G’s. While the likes of Extreme-G and Wipeout inspire it, it doesn’t feel as hectic. What does that mean? You can stay on the track, clinging to the proposed racing line without bouncing off the walls.

A podium finish will earn you respect from your imaginary friends or online strangers once they’re accessible, but combat is a focal point. After a few seconds into a race, the gloves come off, and you can gun down your opponents with a light and heavy attack, special, and a shield to protect yo neck when necessary. There’s also a boost with a minor cooldown. 

I’m not the biggest fan of combat racers and could have happily raced as is in Phaseshift; however, the weapons are a lot of fun – especially mine-based attacks and the seeker missiles once unlocked. There are four modes under the Custom guise, and except for the Time Trials, they’re all weapon-based.

• Team Race is team-based… Create your own and hire AI racers (at a price). 
• Race is a free for all. Whoever comes first… wins. 
• Elimination is like the recent Formula Retro Racing where each trailing racer is kneecapped until one remains.
• Time Trial. Come on.

There are 12 tracks to choose from; you can set the number of laps, bots, difficulty, respawning time, catch-up toggle, destructibles and obstacles. The latter can be a trifle annoying as these glowing orbs suggest they’re power-ups until you crash into them and lose a place or two. Popping into the garage lets you choose your bike, customise the livery to match the RGB settings of your ‘puter, plus swap out the tires and wheels for a Tron-like aesthetic.

The presentation in Phaseshift Early Access is good, with the bikes being a highlight. There’s a cyberpunk neon look to the tracks without being cliché, and each feels different. It was easy to get lost ‘in’ the Nuziri Peaks track, that is, drive underwater through icy water disappearing off the track/losing a position of two. 

Finally, the music in the game is perfectly suited. There’s no Feeder or The Cardigans tunes, but a chap named Madwreck. They’re the kind of tracks I’d happily play while driving – in real life and feel custom made for the game as it complements the flow of gameplay.

Waving my middle finger to most combat racers, I’ve lowered it for Phaseshift as it’s been good fun and shows potential. It’s rewarding the more you play – not just through levelling up and customisations, but there are already some 25 achievements up for grabs. Undoubtedly it’ll be even better once the campaign and online play kick in, and of course, new bikes. I’ll be holding out for a Shotaro Kaneda livery. His bike livery, not his face on the fuel tank.