Over the Hill was one of the most anticipated racing games of the year for me. The game is developed by Funselektor Labs Inc., the creators of Art of Rally, so my expectations for the game were quite high.
The trailers showcased a promising exploration game, with great art design and a world you could explore alone or with friends. It came across as a cozy racing game, and that's exactly the experience it delivers.
The tutorial does an amazing job of introducing you to the world of Over the Hill, going over the basic mechanics of the game without being boring or over the top, something many games struggle with.
You are guided by a Buddha statue in this early part of the game, which is a fantastic choice for the mascot of a game where you spend most of your time exploring nature.
The controls are straightforward, with the game being easy to pick up but harder to master, as some mechanics take time to perfect.
Once the tutorial part is done, you are left on your own to explore the beautiful world of Over the Hill. You have highlighted areas on your map you can go to, but that's completely up to you.
It's here that the game is at its best, as Over the Hill does a tremendous job of incentivizing exploration without feeling forced.
The crates spread across the map, which contain cosmetic elements, do incentivize you to explore. The variety of wildlife scattered across the islands that you can photograph and add to your collection does so too.
But they aren't the main reason you set off driving into the distance.
I found myself multiple times driving towards a point on the map and getting distracted by a landmark in the distance or an intriguing pathway.
There were many instances where I would open the map, and I would be nowhere near the point I had marked on it, as I had just been driving towards anything that caught my attention instead.
Trail routes are scattered across the map, and they provide entertaining challenges as you make your way to checkpoints that take you to locations you would otherwise take longer to discover.
Over the Hill doesn't give you a set course or force you to explore the world in a certain way; it puts you in front of the wheel and lets you drive to where your heart takes you.
What is crucial for this formula to succeed is the game's beautiful art style, which makes everything in the world feel alive. The scenery can be breathtaking at times, making you forget all about driving and forcing you to stop to admire it.
Dynamic weather massively contributes to that. Snow, rain, or sun don't only impact the driving conditions; they change all of the environment around you.
One moment you are driving up the mountain in clear weather and radiating sun; the next, a snowstorm has completely changed your surroundings, covering the mountain in white.
It makes the game more immersive; landscapes feel truly alive, and it portrays just how things can quickly change when driving outdoors.
The environmental physics are good as well; they might not be perfect or the most realistic ever seen in a racing game, but they are authentic enough to be enjoyable.
Every island in Over the Hill feels unique; even if they have their share of similarities, you never feel like you are just driving on the same map but with a different coat of paint.
Gameplay-wise, Over the Hill does a great job of striking the sweet spot between arcade and simulation gameplay, with the controls being fairly easy to learn.
The game offers you a couple of tools that are vital to your exploring, such as planks that make it easier to access areas of the map, or a repair kit you can use when you have rammed your car against trees or rocks enough times.
But the most important one of all is, without a doubt, the portable winch. The portable winch is your best friend, as it will help you get out of sticky situations, quite literally.
You don't get access to all of the tools straight away, as you will need to earn Pebbles to unlock them. Pebbles are Over the Hill currency, which you can earn by completing challenges and discovering landmarks.
They are also what you need if you want to upgrade your vehicle. Over the Hill offers a few under-the-hood customizable options, and they are quite impactful on your vehicle's performance.
You can improve your engine to make driving up steep surfaces easier. Improve your protection so your car doesn't get damaged as much from hits. Or increase the grip of your tires to make it easier to drive over all kinds of surfaces.
The upgrades don't transfer from car to car, which was a little disappointing. At the same time, this incentivizes players to continue to explore the world and take on different challenges, so I can see why developers choose this approach.
Cosmetic items are another thing that incentivize you to explore the world, and Over the Hill has plenty of unique items spread across the islands.
The catalog of cosmetics with which you can customize your vehicle is almost endless and allows you to showcase your personality through your car.
Ultimately, Over the Hill is a cozy racing game that is challenging enough to be interesting without becoming frustrating. It has a fantastic art style, solid environment physics, and delivers the perfect relaxing vibe for after a tough day at work.
It's arguably the best cozy racing game ever, and it's also a statement for the industry that this genre of racing games is here to stay.
Reviewed on PC. Review copy provided by the publisher.
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