Cars 2 (video game)

Cars 2
Box art similar to the movie poster
Developer(s)	Avalanche Software, Firebrand Games, (DS/3DS), Virtual Toys (PSP)
Publisher(s)	THQ Disney Interactive Studios Sony Computer Entertainment (PSP)
Director(s)	Troy Leavitt
Platforms	Macintosh, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, iOS, Windows, Xbox 360
Release date(s)	PlayStation Portable NA 20111108November 8, 2011 EU 20111104November 4, 2011 Nintendo 3DS NA 20111101November 1, 2011 EU 20111111November 11, 2011
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer

Cars 2 (also known as Cars 2: The Video Game) is a racing game developed by Avalanche Software. It is based on the film Cars 2, the sequel to the 2006 film Cars. Originally announced at E3 in 2011, the game was released by Disney Interactive on major platforms in North America on June 21, 2011, and in Australia 2 days later. The game was released in Europe on July 22, 2011. The PlayStation 3 version of the game was reported to feature stereoscopic 3D gameplay. A Nintendo 3DS version was released on November 1, 2011 (The same day that Cars 2 got released on DVD and Blu-ray). A PlayStation Portable version was released in North America on November 8, 2011. It was also released in Europe on November 4, 2011. It was the last Disney/Pixar game to be released for the PlayStation Portable.

Unveiled at the American International Toy Fair in New York City, Cars 2 allows players to jump into the Cars universe with a brand new international spy theme. The game features an array of Cars characters competing in action-packed spy adventures, as well as world-class racing. The game received positive reviews, with a score of 76 on Metacritic for the Xbox 360 version.

All the main actors from the film reprised their roles in the game except for Owen Wilson and Michael Caine, who were replaced by Keith Ferguson and Martin Jarvis, respectively.

Gameplay

Cars 2 features most of the characters from its film counterpart, with additional characters from both movies available for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 via downloadable content.

In Cars 2, a third-person racing-game, players have a choice of 25 different characters and train to become world-class spies. As part of training, players participate in missions using high-tech gadgets, for example, to avoid enemies or slow them down.

The game has three types of trophies: bronze, silver and gold. Points are awarded at different values depending on what type of vehicle class players use. The game characters are divided into three weight-classes: heavy, medium and light. Players can unlock new cars, tracks and missions by collecting emblems. Drop-in/drop-out multiplayer modes support up to four players simultaneously.

Synopsis

Based on Pixar's computer animated film, Cars 2: The Video Game follows the exploits of car characters Lightning McQueen and Mater as they train in a secret facility known as CHROME, short for Command Headquarters for Recon Operations and Motorized Espionage. They are joined by British Intelligence agents Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell as they attempt to become the car-equivalent of spies. Several characters from the Cars 2 film appear, with additional characters from the first film and Cars Toons animated shorts available as downloadable content.

Playable characters
Lightning McQueen Francesco Bernoulli Nigel Gearsley Carla Voloso Jeff Gorvette Shu Todoroki	Miguel Camino Max Schnell Raoul ÇaRoule Mater Miles Axlerod Chuki	Daisu Tsashimi Finn McMissile Holley Shiftwell Luigi Guido Sarge	Fillmore Professor Z Acer Grem Tomber Queen Elizabeth II
Chick Hicks Ramone Boost Flo DJ	Sheriff Snot Rod Victor Hugo Uncle Topolino Rod "Torque" Redline	Wingo Kabuki Mater Mater as Ivan Dragon Lightning McQueen Tokyo Mater	Mater the Greater Cherry Blossom Holley Airport Security Finn Undercover Rod Redline Lewis Hamilton

^a Free downloadable content
^b Paid downloadable content
^c DS and PSP only

Cast

• Keith Ferguson as Lightning McQueen
• Emily Mortimer as Holley Shiftwell
• Martin Jarvis as Finn McMissile
• Larry the Cable Guy as Mater
• John Turturro as Francesco Bernoulli
• Eddie Izzard as Sir Miles Axlerod
• Thomas Kretschmann as Professor Z
• Joe Mantegna as Grem
• Peter Jacobson as Acer
• Bruce Campbell as Rod "Torque" Redline
• Tony Shalhoub as Luigi
• Guido Quaroni as Guido
• Paul Dooley as Sarge
• Lloyd Sherr as Fillmore
• Jenifer Lewis as Flo
• Jeff Gordon as Jeff Gorvette
• Lewis Hamilton as Lewis Hamilton
• Greg Ellis as Nigel Gearsley
• Jossara Jinaro as Carla Veloso
• Michel Michelis as Tomber
• Erik Passoja as Shu Todoroki

Development

Cars 2 was unveiled during E3 2011. A playable demo was presented in a Cars-styled booth.

The game was first shown to the public at E3 2011. It was also unveiled at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. According to a video interview on Game Line, John Day, the producer of the game, said they wanted to create a good family racing game and add a few things that perhaps no one has seen before. Avalanche Software was working in close collaboration with Pixar artists to bring the humor and personality of the feature film to life.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score Aggregator Score Metacritic (X360) 74/100 (PS3) 75/100 (PC) 65/100 (3DS) 58/100 Review scores Publication Score Eurogamer 7/10 Game Informer 7.75 GamePro GameSpot 7.5/10 IGN 8/10 OXM 7.5/10 GamerLiveTV 8.5/10

Cars 2 received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with a score of 74 & 75 on Metacritic for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions respectively. IGN gave the game an 8 out of 10 rating, stating that "Cars 2 is a great multiplayer game that rivals Mario Kart." The Official Xbox Magazine gave it a 7.5 out of 10 rating. Praising fun and polished racing but criticizing the fact that online play was missing from the title. Game Informer gave the title a 7.75 out of 10 rating, calling it a satisfying racing experience. GameSpot's Justin Calvert gave it a 7.5 out of 10 rating, praising its career mode and track designs. He was, however, upset that there was no online mode as expected and also no free roam unlike its predecessors.

External links

• Official website
• Cars 2 at Internet Movie Database