Apex Point

Apex Point has an interesting angle, and it's one that caught my attention alongside the plethora of racing titles available. The game has a niche focus on Japanese car culture, one that I didn't know was particularly prominent around global petrolheads. And besides that, Apex Point looks sleek and immersive. It offers a set of mechanics that every genre enthusiast would enjoy.

Whether that's the reality or not, I'm not sure. There is a heavy focus on the intricate maintenance of vehicles rather than the thrill of racing them. But maybe that's what Japanese car culture is all about, and some dynamics intrigue fans more than I understand. Whatever the case, I won't find out if I don't play it, so let's rev up the engines and fire into Apex Point.

Vehicles Adrift

Let's start by saying that Apex Point is an early-access game, and developers want their players to know it's a work in progress. But naturally, we have to have a review ourselves so far to see the direction of the game and whether it will appeal to the masses rather than a niche group of drivers. Firing up the game, you'll immediately understand that the answer isn't apparent.

As mentioned above, there is a stark focus on cars' building and maintenance aspects rather than driving. Japanese car culture is more about what you can do with your vehicles rather than your skill at driving them, providing an exciting prospect for gameplay. That's not to say there isn't a lot of driving involved, but the game encourages players to be meticulous with their car builds.

You'll be set an objective to build a car for a specific type of race; drag, drifting, street, or track racing. Players will use their available resources to make a car to withstand the challenges of the open-world way best and test their might upon completion. There's a sense of satisfaction when everything goes well but a real hammer of frustration when it doesn't.

The game's state at the moment means that Apex Point will only suit players who have a love for intricate management simulators. There's plenty of opportunity to apply creative solutions to car builds, but not enough action now. Those thinking there will be an open-world driving game and a building sim may have to wait a while, but those who love creating complex things will find love in this beautifully tailored car game.

Mechanical Management Fantasy

Apex Point has hit a niche that many car game enthusiasts want; a title that focuses on the thrill of building a perfect vehicle with limited resources. It stretches the brain, delivers satisfaction, and can provide countless hours of gameplay. However, if you expect an adventurous joyride like Forza Horizon 5, that is not Apex Point yet.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• A brilliant game for those that enjoy complex building simulators
• The vehicle graphics are excellent
• Great satisfaction in your vehicle-build successes

Cons:

• Gameplay is focused on building cars rather than driving
• Much of the visuals don't feel complete
• Limited excitement in driving

Apex Point is a racing simulator with an extensive list of game features. Get up close and personal with the world of Japanese sports production and create your own road legend. Take part in legal and illegal races to earn funds for tuning. If your car still falls short of being a race car, you can provide for yourself by stealing cars.

Pros of the game:

• Extensive tuning options, you can personally rearrange parts
• In-game economy is built on a real one
• Illegal earning opportunities