Cars 2 (video game)
| Cars 2 | |
|---|---|
 Box art similar to the movie poster | |
| Developer(s) |
Avalanche Software, Firebrand Games, (DS/3DS), Virtual Toys (PSP) |
| Publisher(s) |
THQ Disney Interactive Studios Sony Computer Entertainment (PSP) |
| Director(s) | Troy Leavitt |
| Producer(s) | John Day, Jarom Giles, John Warner, Mark McArthur [1] |
| Designer(s) | Manfred Neber, Jared Bals, Devon Hargraves, Kelly Murphy |
| Platform(s) | Macintosh, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, iOS, Windows, Xbox 360 |
| Release date(s) |
‹See Tfd›
‹See Tfd›
‹See Tfd›
PlayStation Portable Nintendo 3DS |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
Cars 2 (also known as Cars 2: The Video Game) is a racing game developed by Avalanche Software. It is based on the film Cars 2, the sequel to the 2006 film Cars. Originally announced at E3 in 2011, the game was released by Disney Interactive on major platforms in North America on June 21, 2011, and in Australia 2 days later. The game was released in Europe on July 22, 2011. The PlayStation 3 version of the game was reported to feature stereoscopic 3D gameplay. A Nintendo 3DS version was released on November 1, 2011 (The same day that Cars 2 got released on DVD and Blu-ray). A PlayStation Portable version was released in North America on November 8, 2011.[2] It was also released in Europe on November 4, 2011.[3] It was the last Disney/Pixar game to be released for the PlayStation Portable.
Unveiled at the American International Toy Fair in New York City, Cars 2 allows players to jump into the Cars universe with a brand new international spy theme. The game features an array of Cars characters competing in action-packed spy adventures, as well as world-class racing. The game received positive reviews, with a score of 76 on Metacritic for the Xbox 360 version.
All the main actors from the film reprised their roles in the game except for Owen Wilson, Barbara Kottmeier and Michael Caine, who were replaced by Keith Ferguson, Jossara Jinaro and Martin Jarvis, respectively.
Gameplay
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 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 what type of vehicle class players use. The game 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.
Synopsis
Based on Pixar's computer animated film, Cars 2: The Video Game follows the exploits of car characters Lightning McQueen and Mater as they train in a secret facility known as CHROME, 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.[4] Several characters from the Cars 2 film appear, with additional characters from the first film and Cars Toons animated shorts available as downloadable content.
| Playable characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
^a Free downloadable content
^b Paid downloadable content
^c DS and PSP only
Cast
- Keith Ferguson as Lightning McQueen
- Emily Mortimer as Holley Shiftwell
- Martin Jarvis as Finn McMissile
- Larry the Cable Guy as Mater
- John Turturro as Francesco Bernoulli
- Eddie Izzard as Sir Miles Axlerod
- Thomas Kretschmann as Professor Z
- Joe Mantegna as Grem
- Peter Jacobson as Acer
- Bruce Campbell as Rod "Torque" Redline
- Tony Shalhoub as Luigi
- Guido Quaroni as Guido
- Paul Dooley as Sarge
- Lloyd Sherr as Fillmore
- Jenifer Lewis as Flo
- Jeff Gordon as Jeff Gorvette
- Lewis Hamilton as Lewis Hamilton
- Greg Ellis as Nigel Gearsley
- Jossara Jinaro as Carla Veloso
- Michel Michelis as Tomber
- Erik Passoja as Shu Todoroki
Development
The game was first shown to the public at E3 2011.[5] It was also unveiled at the American International Toy Fair in New York City.[6][7] 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.[1] Avalanche Software was working in close collaboration with Pixar artists to bring the humor and personality of the feature film to life.[6]
Reception
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Cars 2 received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with a score of 74 & 75 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."[17] 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.[14] GameSpot's 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.
References
- 1 2 "GoNintendo - Cars 2: The Video Game interview with John Day". GoNintendo. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "FIFA 12 PSP bundle hits November 15". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "Disney•Pixar Cars 2". playstation. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "Cars 2 - Overview - allgame". Allgame.com. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ Iverson, Dan. "We played them all at E3. So why should you care?". IGN. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
- 1 2 "Video game based on highly anticipated Cars 2 film features new international spy-themed adventures with favorite Cars characters.". IGN. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
- ↑ IGN Staff. "Turturro, Izzard also announced as new voice cast at Toy Fair.". IGN. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
- ↑ "Cars 2: The Video Games (Xbox 360) Critic Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
- ↑ "Cars 2: The Video Games (Playstation 3) Critic Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
- ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/cars-2-the-video-game
- ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/cars-2-the-video-game
- ↑ Whitehead, Dan. "Cars 2 Review - Xbox 360". p. 1.
- ↑ Whitehead, Dan. "Cars 2 Review - Xbox 360". Eurogamer. p. 2. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- 1 2 Cork, Jeff. "Avalanche's Latest Is A Licensed Game Worth Driving". Game Informer. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
- ↑ Minotti, Mike. "This charming mash-up of mechanics from Mario Kart and Burnout will appeal to both young fans of Pixar's franchise, and even a slightly older audience.". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2011-12-01. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ↑ Calvert, Justin. "Cars 2 is a colorful and varied racer that's a lot of fun to play with friends and family.". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
- 1 2 Tanner, Nicole. "Like Mario Kart but hate the Wii? Cars 2 might be for you.". IGN. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
- ↑ Hayward, Andrew. "Cars 2: The Video Game Review". Official Xbox Magazine. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ↑ Bernhardt, Jared. "Review: Disney Interactive's Cars 2: The Video Game Delivers High Octane Movie Authentic Family Fun". p. 1. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29.
- ↑ Bernhardt, Jared. "Review: Disney Interactive's Cars 2: The Video Game Delivers High Octane Movie Authentic Family Fun". p. 2. Archived from the original on 2011-10-19.
- ↑ Bernhardt, Jared. "Review: Disney Interactive's Cars 2: The Video Game Delivers High Octane Movie Authentic Family Fun". p. 3. Archived from the original on 2012-03-26.
- ↑ Bernhardt, Jared. "Review: Disney Interactive's Cars 2: The Video Game Delivers High Octane Movie Authentic Family Fun". GamerLiveTV. p. 4. Archived from the original on 2011-10-19. Retrieved 2011-07-25.