Speed Crew Switch Review
Couch co-op simply refuses to die on the Nintendo Switch, and that’s a great thing. We’ve been lucky to see the likes of The Stretchers, Aussie homegrown “Moving Out”, and of course, the cream of the crop, Overcooked. Speed Crew raced onto the Nintendo Switch mid-last year, and I missed it the first time around. But as we approach its second lap, I thought I would give it another look. What’s it Like? Get your spanner ready, prepare the fuel cans, and stay clear of the road as we review Speed Crew for the Nintendo Switch.
Speed Crew has a pun-filled story about your pit crew aiming to be the best split over 4 decades and 48 levels. There’s actually a lot of game here for the asking price of a couple of servo meat pies here at $30 AUD, and the game does a great job of introducing new gameplay mechanics and features with each level that can be somewhat of a double-edged piston… but more on that later. Each level will see your team compete against others to panel beat, repair wheels, fill fuel tanks, and much more as cars speed all around you. The worlds are filled with hazards, requiring good communication and even better teamwork to get the job done.
The game can be played solo, but it’s not really what it’s built for, and is best enjoyed with 2 players or more. There’s even a unique mode called “Sabotage” that sees one player trying to destroy as much as they can while the others scramble to fix it. When I was playing with my family for the purpose of the review, it turns out my kids did a great job of sabotaging the crew in just the standard modes, and plenty of laughs were had while my daughter slapped our characters around and caused as much chaos as she possibly could. It was actually great as she’s only 6, so the game can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels and the laughter we had was infectious.
All of this seems great to start with, but unfortunately has a few issues with core gameplay mechanics that can lead to a frustrating experience. Some examples are standing around waiting for cars, or losing tools due to being wiped out by a car, or requiring almost pinpoint precision when picking up or using objects. To me, the main issue is the way tools are implemented with the controls, meaning you pick up the wrong tool or item due to clunky controls despite the fast-paced nature of the game. One of the most time-consuming and frustrating things to do is change a tire, which often leaves you picking up the wrench instead of placing the tire back on the rim, or vice versa. It’s not a deal breaker in the slightest, and with friends, I think it was almost fun to fail, but after a while, I had to put my controller down and have a break.
Another thing Speed Crew does is bring in new mechanics and dismiss them in the next round, making you realise how much better the game could be if there were permanent upgrades of progression perhaps. One main thing is the diagnostics computer, which requires manual operation, then a few rounds in, auto diagnoses cars, allowing you to focus on more fun tasks, only to go back to manual diagnostics again. It’s a lot of small niggling issues that detract from the fun of the game.
Most of this is forgotten the larger your crew becomes, and the game features 4 player couch co-op and online play. There’s no matchmaking, but I think that’s actually a blessing in disguise as the Switch has had a bit of a somewhat rocky history with voice chat in games, and communication is certainly key when it comes to ordering… I mean organizing your crew to get the job done. Sometimes you will fail at that job too, as Speed Crew is deviously difficult in some instances, but perseverance is the greatest reward and my family was all cheering when we completed a chapter. It’s moments like this that make Speed Crew shine when played with family and friends, as you share victory and share defeat.
As we approach the chequered flag on this review, Speed Crew is a fun experience, that can be frustrating at times due to clunky mechanics (no, not the ones fixing cars.) There are a lot of small issues that take away from the immense enjoyment that can be had with a group of friends fixing cars, or sabotaging them. That being said, Speed Crew is a great party game that’s sure to make you laugh, cheer, and sometimes make you question friendships.
So, What’s it Like? Speed Crew is like Manic Mechanics, dished up with Overcooked.
I award it a 70/100. In the Interest of Full Disclosure, A review copy was provided by the publisher, but this doesn’t have any impact on my score.
