Kart games were never on the top of my to-play list. They simply aren’t something that I go out of my way for. Sure, I play them, but more often than not it’s when I have a quick 30 minutes spare. However, things have changed slightly, thanks to a new take on kart games in the form of ModNation Racers. This is more than just the run of the mill kart experience. Rather, this game takes a few new ideas and melds them with what was (up until recently) a genre that was getting rather tired rather quickly.

By way of a quick definition, ModNation Racers is like the love child of LittleBigPlanet and any given kart racer. The game is all about kart racing, sure, but it allows for a massive amount of customisation to be performed across various areas of the game… thereby adding something very new, fun and exciting to the world of kart racing. The game has its tongue very securely planted in its cheek, as evidenced by a number of elements. The graphics, for example, are the typically cute kind of thing you would expect to see in a game of this kind, but the cuteness is edged with elements that could be described an grim, or even grotesque.

The actions of the drivers during the races add to this idea, with shaking fists combining with over-the-top aerial stunts performed while getting airtime. And the story that drives the single player campaign is rife with the kind of often-off-colour humour that gamers, in particular, appreciate. As a racing game, ModNation racers if among the better kart games on the market. The action is fast and furious, set on tracks that are sometimes challenging, always lively and even occasionally heart-stopping. The tracks are littered with shortcuts, traps and power-ups. These power ups will give the player a random ability to make use of.

However, instead of allowing the player to gather multiple power ups, they are only allowed one at a time. Each power-up can be increased in potency (up to three levels) by collecting additional on-track pick-ups. There are around thirty tracks available during the single player campaign. Each track has basic and extended goals, adding a large amount of replayability to the title. More impressive than the racing, though, is the high degree of customisation the player can apply to their character and their car. New objects, textures and finishes are unlocked as the game progresses, allowing for an almost limitless array of karts and drivers on the track. This extends to creating tracks too. The game features a very simple track building system that is deceptively easy to use. A little work and imagination can result in truly impressive tracks being made. Yes, the player is limited to how much each track can contain, but there is plenty of room to move within the editor.

Another cornerstone of this game is the online community. Through PSN, players can trade designs for karts, characters and tracks and, naturally, compete against each other in a variety of online race events. The simplicity of the game makes it ultimately accessible to all players. From youngsters through to seasoned veterans will all have a fair chance in what is essentially a typically kart-style level playing field. And the creativity injected into the title will keep people coming back for more – even if just in the hope that one of their creations will become featured content.

Games like LittleBigPlanet showed us that user generated content is a hot field to take advantage of, and ModNation racers, with its ease-of-use and myriad options, will do well because of this popularity. Tracks made by others will keep the game alive for ages, and the addictive thrill that the game provides players will have them coming back for more, time and time again. This game is a victory for lateral thinking in game design, and one that is well worth playing… even if kart games aren’t your thing. It’s entertainment value goes far beyond the track, and it will keep all kinds of gamers busy for a good long time to come. The fact that it doesn’t capitalise on established characters is an added bonus – this game has its own identity, and everything it takes to establish a thriving online community.

Conclusion - ModNation Racers is a solid and creative kart game with all the elements required to create a thriving online community.