| Cars 2 | |
| Developer: | Avalanche Software |
| Publisher: | Disney Interactive Studios |
| Series: | Cars |
| Genre: | Racing |
| Modes: | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Released: | Windows, OS X, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS PlayStation PortableNintendo 3DSArcade |
| Platforms: | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Portable, OS X, iOS |
Cars 2 (also known as Cars 2: The Video Game) is a 2011 racing game based on the 2011 film of the same name. Originally announced at E3 2011, the game was released by Disney Interactive Studios on all major platforms in North America on June 21, 2011, and in Australia two days later. The game was released in Europe on July 22, 2011. Versions for the Nintendo 3DS came out on November 1, and the PlayStation Portable released in November.[1] The game features an array of Cars characters competing in spy adventures, as well as racing. The game received mixed reviews from critics.
In Cars 2, a third-person racing game, players have a choice of 25 different characters and train to become world-class spies. As part of the training, players participate in missions using high-tech gadgets, for example, to avoid enemies or slow them down.
The game has three types of trophies: bronze, silver, and gold. Points are awarded at different values depending on how the player performs in a free-play mission. The characters are divided into three weight classes: heavy, medium, and light. Players can unlock new cars, tracks, and missions by collecting emblems. Drop-in/drop-out multiplayer modes support up to four players simultaneously.
Based on Pixar's computer-animated film, Cars 2: The Video Game follows the exploits of car characters four-times Piston Cup champion Lightning McQueen and his best friend Mater as they train in a secret facility known as C.H.R.O.M.E., short for Command Headquarters for Recon Operations and Motorized Espionage. They are joined by British Intelligence agents Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell as they attempt to become the car-equivalent of spies.[2] Several characters from the Cars 2 film appear, with additional characters from the first film and Cars Toons animated shorts available as downloadable content.
The game was first shown to the public at E3 2011.[3] It was also unveiled at the American International Toy Fair in New York City.[4] [5] According to a video interview on Game Line, John Day, the producer of the game, said they wanted to create a good family racing game and add a few things that perhaps no one has seen before.[6] Avalanche Software was working in close collaboration with Pixar artists to bring the humor and personality of the feature film to life.[4]
Cars 2 received generally positive reviews from critics, with a score of 72 and 74 on Metacritic for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions respectively. IGN gave the game an 8 out of 10 rating, stating that "Cars 2 is a great multiplayer game that rivals Mario Kart." The Official Xbox Magazine gave it a 7.5 out of 10 rating, praising fun and polished racing but criticizing the fact that online play was missing from the title. Game Informer gave the title a 7.75 out of 10 rating, calling it a satisfying racing experience. GameSpot Justin Calvert gave it a 7.5 out of 10 rating, praising its career mode and track designs. He was, however, upset that there was no online mode as expected and also no free roam unlike its predecessors.