Wreckfest 2 Early Access Launch Details – Release Time, Price, Content

Wreckfest 2 enters Early Access with a tempting initial discount but limited content. Here’s everything you need to know.

The long-awaited sequel to the 2018 original, Wreckfest 2, smashes onto Steam Early Access today, bringing the demolition derby carnage back, now with shiny new graphics, next-level destruction physics, and much more.

Early Access is becoming an increasingly common way of releasing new games, as seen recently with the Tokyo Xtreme Racer and Assetto Corsa EVO releases.

While it’s a great way to iron out all the problems and help the community improve the final experience, it does require a little patience.

Assetto Corsa EVO players have voiced their concerns about Kunos’ approach to the release. Two months after the release, AC: EVO’s player numbers continue to decline due to the lack of updates.

It probably won’t come as a huge surprise to many that it’s a similar story for Wreckfest 2, with a limited amount of content available in the initial Early Access release.

Still, there’s plenty to enjoy for die-hard fans looking for a new experience. Also, it’s a perfect opportunity to get a bargain with the initial discount, especially if you intend to buy the final game eventually anyway.

Steam Release Times & Pricing

Wreckfest 2 launches exclusively for PC players via Steam on March 20 at 6 pm CET (10 am PDT, 1 pm EDT, 5 pm GMT, 7 pm EEST, 2 am JST March 21).

Initial pricing is $29.99/€29.99/£24.99, and early adopters get a 20% discount for the two weeks following the release before the price jumps on April 3.

THQ Nordic stated, “We will increase the price incrementally throughout the Early Access.”

Wreckfest 2 Cars & Tracks

There are just a few choices on offer for the initial Early Access release:

Wreckfest 2 Cars – Early Access (Day One)

• Roadslayer – ’60s/’70s American muscle car
• Rocket – ’60s/’70s American muscle car
• Ginger – ’80s European compact banger car (resembling a Volkswagen Golf)
• Striker – ’90s US banger car (resembling a Chevy Cavalier)

Two more cars are expected to arrive in the next two months.

Wreckfest 2 Tracks & Locations – Early Access (Day One)

• Scrapyard – Main Route (Circuit with intersections) and Bonebreaker (Oncoming traffic) layouts
• Speedway – Oval and Figure 8 circuits, Derby Arena
• Savolax Sandpit – Main Circuit and Reverse layouts (remake from the original game)
• Testing Grounds – Singleplayer sandbox with ramps

Two additional tracks are also expected to arrive within the next two months.

Wreckfest 2 Game Modes

For the initial Early Access release, you get the following modes:

• Single-player racing & derby modes with up to 23 AI players
  • Quick Race
  • Create Event
• Multiplayer racing & derby with up to 24 players (and AI support)
  • Find Match
  • Server Browser

To round out the initial features, there’s basic paint customization (with more coming later), a garage for saving your designs, leaderboards, and a first version of replay mode with photo capabilities.

As you can see, it’s not exactly bursting at the seams regarding content, but they’ve promised to start rolling out more shortly.

What’s Coming Next, And When?

Bugbear plans to keep the game in Early Access for at least 12 months, aiming for a full release around March 2026.

This gives the team a year to develop the final game, with new content trickling over time. While that might seem like a long wait, let’s not forget that the original Wreckfest was in Early Access for four years!

A free update, adding two more tracks and two additional cars, is already planned for about two months after launch.

Is Wreckfest 2 Early Access Coming To Consoles?

Like other Early Access releases, Wreckfest 2 will only be available on Steam during the Early Access period.

Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 versions will arrive alongside the full release, which is expected in March 2026 (or earlier.)

Bugbear has no plans for previous-gen consoles. Also, despite getting the original game, there are no signs of planned Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 or mobile versions.

Is Wreckfest 2 Worth Buying In Early Access?

Let’s be honest: Four cars and four tracks isn’t a huge amount of content for a new game, but they’ve already confirmed plans for new tracks and vehicles to arrive in the next couple of months.

For keen fans of the series who know they’ll buy it eventually anyway, it’s worth grabbing on the initial Early Access release to get the early 20% discount.

However, if you’re unsure whether it’ll be worth the upgrade, you might prefer to wait for more content and see how things go during the Early Access period before jumping in.

Even THQ Nordic themselves, in the official Early Access logbook, mentioned: “For anybody who is expecting a fully-fledged, perfectly optimized game with several modes, dozens of tracks and vehicles, as well as an extensive career mode, please consider buying once we are releasing the 1.0 version of the game.”

Still not sure? Here’s their Early Access Release trailer to help you decide (which thankfully includes plenty of sideways action!)

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