Wreckfest 2 Officially Announced – Buckle Up For Next-Gen Derby Chaos

Wreckfest 2 officially announced, delivering the ultimate demolition derby madness with a host of new features and improvements.

Six years after the first Wreckfest introduced Demolition Derby-style greatness to modern gaming, Finnish game developers Bugbear Entertainment, alongside THQ Nordic, officially announced the follow-up game in the series, simply titled Wreckfest 2. (Thankfully, there’s no Assetto Corsa EVO-esque naming weirdness here!)

The first game, best known for its metal-twisting chaos and satisfying true-to-life crash mechanics, still maintains a cult following and an active online community. Bugbear continues to update the game, with a recent update in March introducing PC crossplay between Steam, GOG, and Epic Game Store platforms.

Last year, Bugbear teased fans with a cryptic tweet hinting at a sequel in the works. Now, the FlatOut creators are back and ready to deliver more over-the-top carnage. Wreckfest 2 promises to dial up the destruction, bringing what looks to be the ultimate next-generation banger racing offering.

Wreckfest 2 Official Announcement At THQ Nordic Showcase

The highly-anticipated sequel was officially unveiled during the THQ Nordic Showcase, accompanied by an adrenaline-pumping trailer that has fueled rumors and speculation, leaving fans eager for more.

Bugbear wasted no time, immediately sharing the news on their Twitter account alongside the Wreckfest 2 Steam page going live, which allows you to wishlist the game to stay informed of the latest updates.

Wreckfest 2 Release Date

Although Wreckfest 2 is officially announced, there’s no specific release date or launch window yet.

It’ll be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Windows), designed to “take full advantage of modern hardware.” This means fans still gaming on last-gen consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will need to upgrade their systems to enjoy what the second game in the series will offer.

Although the original game was available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Stadia, Switch, Android, and iOS, the next-gen focus unfortunately makes it unlikely that we’ll be seeing such a wide range of options this time around.

What’s New In Wreckfest 2?

Wreckfest 2 is poised to take the much-loved demolition derby action to the next level with plenty of improvements and new features. Here’s a breakdown of the confirmed changes so far:

Overhauled Physics Engine

We’re stoked to hear that the physics engine will be completely rebuilt to “take full advantage of modern hardware.” This overhaul promises “even higher crash fidelity, a deeper armor and damage system, more intricate component damage simulation and many more improvements across the board”, offering an “unmatched racing experience” with “jaw dropping moments of chaos and destruction.”

Although the OG game’s physics were hugely satisfying, it’s no secret that there was still some room for improvement, so we can’t wait to see what Wreckfest 2 has in store.

Enhanced Career Mode

The game modes have been “fully revamped,” including an “entirely reimagined career mode that supports every playstyle on your mission to become the true champion!”

Based on the angry driver in the official announcement trailer, we expect to see a lot more of him as the career mode’s exciting potential develops.

Diverse Racing Experiences

We hope to see some new and exciting ideas from the series. While specifics are still thin, the variety of racing experiences on the Steam page currently includes:

• “Intense head-to-head fights on high-speed circuits”
• “Face obstacles on crazy courses with jumps, intersections and oncoming traffic”
• “Demolition domination in various derby arenas”

Improved Customization

Early hints suggest that customization, including modding and tuning, is a major focus in the new game, with the introduction of a “newly designed customization tool” that is “incredibly powerful, enabling you to create the car of your dreams!” Players can “let [their] creativity run wild and share [their] designs with other racers and wreckers online.”

New Split-Screen Mode

The new game will introduce “a brand new split screen mode for unbeatable local fun” for the first time. Given how online-focused multiplayer gaming has become in recent years, this will be the perfect opportunity to square off against your buddies. We miss the good old days of trading a (somewhat) friendly dig or two after a race!

Improved Online Play

Online play, which still features an active community in the original game, has been improved, with “quick to find and smooth online races, powered by the new skill-based matchmaking system and server queues!”

Will Drifting Feature In Wreckfest 2?

While drifting wasn’t a primary focus for the original game, we like to think that the Bugbear team is partial to a little sideways action, especially after the Season 2 Pass introduced a drift-friendly update with a demolition derby-style JDM 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS-T, otherwise known as “Razor”.

This update made drifting more accessible and enjoyable for players who were keen to incorporate their drifting technique into their racing style and eager to prove that sideways is the fastest way around the track (or scrapyard!)

With that said, the “Razor” isn’t the only drift-friendly car in Wreckfest. Here are some of our other favorite cars for some sideways action. Be warned that some are a little easier to slide than others:

• Raiden RS
• Starbeast SS
• Tristar
• DragSlayer
• Rocket RX
• Roadcutter

We can’t wait to see the new car list, and we’re keeping our fingers (and toes) crossed to see even more drift-specific focus for Wreckfest 2!

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