Flightless recently introduced a new top-down arcade racer called Monster Racing League, which could potentially compete with Mario Kart. We were initially skeptical about needing another racing game, but Monster Racing League turned out to be an unexpectedly fun and fast-paced experience.
Overview
Released in March 2023 as an early access game, Monster Racing League has since transitioned to a free-to-play model following a few updates, as announced on Steam. Unlike realistic driving simulators, this game offers a unique twist with its auto-driving mechanic, making it accessible for both casual and competitive players. Here are our first impressions.
Presentation & Graphics
The art style of Monster Racing League is similar to Mediatonic’s Fall Guys, featuring cute, mildly annoyed-looking monsters and vibrant, thematic tracks and environments. The home screen also evokes a Fall Guys vibe. One feature we miss is a cinematic replay option for highlighting key race moments, which would be great for creating video content. The developers are working on a spectator mode, but there’s no timeline for its release yet. Additionally, more variety in tracks during multiplayer matches would enhance the experience.
Customization & Race Pass
Monster Racing League offers generous cosmetic options even without purchasing the premium race pass. The pass is balanced, providing a fair grind. It’s too soon to say whether the game feels pay-to-win, despite encountering powerful abilities like Chompers, Mallet, and the annoying Swap ability. There’s a wide range of customization options for your monster’s face, body, and colors. While car customization is currently limited, both free and premium players can unlock various cosmetics and monsters for their collection.
Gameplay & Racing Mechanics
Monster Racing League is easy to pick up but hard to master. Ten players compete in a mini-grand prix over three rounds on either a circuit or sprint track. Unlike other arcade racers, this game doesn’t have a minimap, challenging players to find the best path themselves while watching out for opponents’ monster abilities. A useful tip is to activate your Shield when you see an opponent’s ability icon above their head to block their attack.
Controls
Controlling your car in Monster Racing League is straightforward. The cars auto-drive, and you just need to time your nitro boosts with the up arrow key. Steering with the left and right arrow keys is also essential, especially for taking shortcuts. Monster abilities are activated with the corresponding number keys (1 to 3). Pay attention to purple prompt turn signals if you want to switch paths.
While the racing can be inconsistent, with performance varying between rounds, Monster Racing League offers an engaging and visually appealing racing experience that stands out in the genre.