The names of the freePlayStation Plus games for May 2021have been announced, and among them isWreckfest, a hard-hitting racing game whose title developer Bugbear Entertainment wants players to take literally. Released in mid-2018 to predominantly positive reviews,Wreckfestis considered a spiritual successor to Bugbear’sFlatOutseries, with dashes ofDestruction DerbyandStreet Rodthrown in for good measure.
Wreckfestfeatures soft-body damage modeling, which allows players to cause damage to specific locations on a vehicle to affect driving dynamics in a realistic manner. Wheels can be dislocated during a collision, and metal bends, twists, and breaks. True-to-life physics enable the cars to crash and fly into the air believably, leaving a trail of dust and debris in their wake.
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A new trailer forWreckfesthas revealed that next-gen enhancements will be coming to the PlayStation 5 version of the game on June 1. In addition to running at 60 FPS in 4K resolution, the upgraded version ofWreckfestwill make use of theDualSense controller’s haptic feedback and will also feature faster loading times, enhanced shadows and lighting, and improved visual effects. Additionally, multiplayer lobbies will be increased from 16 to 24 players.
Gamers who already own the PS4 version ofWreckfestwill be able toupgrade to the enhanced PS5 versionfor $9.99. Some of these next-gen upgrades have already been added to the Xbox Series X version of the game at no cost. However, the PS5 enhancements add more features than the Xbox’s free upgrade, including dynamic dirt on vehicles, visual effects for skidmarks, increased foliage, higher resolution textures, and even godrays. According to a statement by publisher THQ Nordic, the PS5 version “offers the bestWreckfestexperience on consoles ever.” It is unclear whether these improvements will eventually make their way to the Xbox Series X as well.
Bugbear Entertainment’s Wreckfest features multiple game modes, such as banger racing on different road surfaces, high-speed races on courses with intersections and oncoming traffic, and of course, demolition derby. When not destroying cars in the derby arena,Wreckfestplayers will be able to upgrade and customize their vehicles in preparation for their next match. Cars can be enhanced with reinforced bumpers, roll cages, and side protectors, and engine performance can be improved by adding better air filters, camshafts, fuel systems, and more.
The other two PlayStation Plus games for May 2021 are EA’s first-person shooterBattlefield 5and the survival gameStranded Deep,which drops players onto a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Wreckfestis available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
