Developed and published by TESTAGAMERCREATIONS LTD, Chained Cars debuts on PlayStation 5 with a concept that is instantly easy to understand but deceptively challenging to master.
You don’t just race to the finish line—you are tethered to another vehicle by a chain. Every turn, every burst of acceleration, and every moment of hesitation directly impact not only your car but also the delicate connection between both.
Too fast? The chain snaps.
Too slow? The chain tightens and drags you into failure.
It’s a brilliant core concept—one that turns traditional racing into more of a balancing act under pressure.
A Mechanic That Defines Everything
At the core of Chained Cars is its defining mechanic: controlling two cars linked by a physical connection.
Rather than prioritising speed alone, the game requires synchronisation. You must constantly manage spacing, momentum, and positioning between the two vehicles, often while navigating narrow stunt tracks filled with hazards.
This creates a unique form of tension. Unlike typical racers where mistakes can sometimes be fixed, here a single misjudged move can end a run instantly.
There’s a constant push-and-pull dynamic:
- Accelerate too aggressively, and you risk overstretching the chain
- Brake too suddenly, and the second car slams into you
- Take corners poorly, and the chain angle becomes impossible to recover
When it works, it’s exhilarating. There’s a rhythm to keeping that perfect distance—a flow state where both cars move as one.
Level Design: Precision Over Speed
The game features 40 levels across diverse environments such as forests, deserts, and icy landscapes.
Each track emphasizes precise navigation rather than racing lines. Challenges like ramps, narrow bridges, sharp turns, and environmental hazards compel you to constantly adjust your approach.
Dynamic weather introduces additional difficulty. Fog hampers visibility, sandstorms obscure the track, and icy surfaces reduce traction—each condition requiring you to rethink your strategy.
A day/night cycle also influences gameplay, especially in later levels where visibility becomes a significant concern.
While the environmental diversity helps keep visuals engaging, the level structure can feel somewhat repetitive over time. The main challenge remains the same: maintain the chain, avoid obstacles, and reach the finish.
Difficulty Curve: From Clever to Cruel
Chained Cars is not shy about its difficulty.
Early levels gradually introduce players to the mechanics, but the challenge quickly escalates. By the midway point, levels require near-flawless execution, leaving little room for error.
This results in a varied experience:
- On one hand, the challenge strengthens the game’s main idea.
- On the other hand, it can lead to frustration, especially when failure feels sudden.
The absence of frequent checkpoints means mistakes often lead to restarting whole sections, which can become tiresome over time.
That said, success is undeniably rewarding. Completing a particularly challenging level feels well earned, as it demands both skillful mechanics and a thorough grasp of the game’s physics.
Controls and Physics
The controls in Chained Cars are functional but not perfect.
Driving feels sufficiently responsive, with each vehicle handling predictably across various terrains. However, the physics of the chain can sometimes seem inconsistent.
There are moments when the connection behaves as expected—tightening and loosening in a natural way. However, at other times, it can seem overly sensitive or slightly unpredictable, causing failures that feel less like player error and more like system quirks.
This inconsistency doesn’t ruin the experience, but it does undermine the precision the game requires.
Unlockables and Progression
The game features over 20 unlockable vehicles, providing a sense of progression as you complete levels.
However, these vehicles are mainly cosmetic or offer only subtle handling differences. While unlocking new options is enjoyable, they don’t significantly alter gameplay.
Consequently, progression feels somewhat superficial. There is little in the way of meaningful upgrades or new mechanics introduced over time.
The emphasis remains firmly on mastering the core system rather than expanding it.
Presentation and Atmosphere
Visually, Chained Cars is modest but effective.
The environments are neatly designed, with enough detail to distinguish each biome without overwhelming the player. Lighting and weather effects introduce variety, especially during night-time or stormy levels.
However, the overall presentation tends to be simple. This is clearly a budget-conscious title, and although it runs smoothly, it lacks the polish and visual flair seen in more premium racing games.
Audio design follows a similar approach. Engine sounds are functional, and environmental effects are included, but the soundtrack remains fairly understated.
There’s nothing offensive here—but also little that truly stands out.
Where It Excels—and Where It Struggles
The strength of Chained Cars lies entirely in its concept.
When the mechanic clicks, it offers something genuinely different—a racing experience built on tension, coordination, and control rather than speed alone.
However, that same focus becomes its limitation.
The game struggles to evolve beyond its central idea. Without additional modes, deeper progression systems, or more varied gameplay mechanics, the experience can begin to feel repetitive.
It’s a title that shines in short bursts but lacks the depth to sustain long sessions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unique and creative dual-car chain mechanic
- Tense, skill-based gameplay loop
- Challenging level design that rewards precision
- Variety of environments and weather conditions
Cons
- Repetitive structure over extended play
- Occasional inconsistencies in physics
- Limited progression and gameplay variety
- Difficulty spikes may frustrate some players
Final Verdict
Chained Cars is an intriguing example of a game centred around a single, compelling idea.
Its chained driving mechanic is genuinely inventive, turning familiar racing concepts into something much more tense and deliberate. For players seeking a challenge that tests precision and control, it delivers moments of genuine satisfaction.
However, the game’s narrow focus ultimately limits it. Lacking sufficient variety or depth to support its core mechanic, the experience begins to feel somewhat stretched.
This is a game that will most appeal to players who enjoy mastering complex systems and pursuing that perfect run. For others, the repetition and difficulty may become too challenging.
