Preview: Trackmania (PC/Uplay)

by Jim Smale · Published July 2, 2020 · Updated July 2, 2020

Trackmania, the racing franchise from Ubisoft Nadeo, is back with the most compelling remake of Trackmania Nations. You can either play by yourself and enjoy the drive or collect medals and assess your skills with regional and international rankings.

Pros:

Cool graphics.
1.60gb Download size.
Full controller support.
Set your location.
Optional training area.
Create-map/replay/garage (vehicle skins).
Local play-multiplayer, one-off map, against replays, LAN.
Solo mode-3 events-training/Summer 2020/Track of the day.
Every race you do you can do as solo or against opponents.
Time trial racing gameplay.
Track styles like ice, dirt.
New ways to fly! You can hover, control whilst in the air.
Smooth easy to use controls.
Lightning-fast load times.
Opponents are ghosts so no collisions etc.
Online games are played over a time limit and your best score is on the leaderboard.
In-game text chat.
New pads-boost and sticky so you can make more insane tracks.
Club-clan like service.
Easy to jump into other player’s creations.
The profile shows trophies earned.
Restart-last checkpoint or back at the beginning.
Compare scores against your club/friends/area/online.
Spectator mode.
Special pads like no steering, an engine cut off, etc.
Possible for many race car conditions mixed all together in one track.
Curved track pieces.
Initial fly over on a track.
Local-hotseat or splitscreen.
Infinite replayability.

Cons:

The confusing subscription model.
Can only spectate one person in spectate mode.
No custom music support.
Can’t favorite tracks/skins/campaigns.
Training is not a good way to learn the game.
No actual tutorial.
Any lag kills the experience.
Clunky menu structure, it looks easy to use but it’s a lot of scrolling and clicking here to do this or do that.
No achievements.
No Uplay club unlocks or integration.
Mouse cursor stays on screen in menus.
Creations don’t always load up.
Feels like an Early Access game.