Re-Volt lets you guide one of 28 remote control cars through insane race tracks set in unusual environments. Curbs become huge walls, toys are obstacles, and everything is fair game to drive on, through, or over.
The game features a distinctive handling model that simulates the control of small, radio-controlled (RC) cars. Players must carefully manage the cars' momentum and weight distribution to navigate tight, obstacle-filled tracks, as the twitchy, responsive controls require precise input to avoid flipping over or spinning out. Mastering this learning curve provides a deeply satisfying and challenging driving experience.
Rather than generic racetracks, the game transports players to diverse real-world environments like suburban neighborhoods, shopping malls, museums, and more. These unique settings give each track a distinct character and present their own specific challenges, whether navigating tight store aisles or leaping over gaps in an outdoor park. The track designs themselves also expertly blend tight turns, ramps, shortcuts, and other obstacles that reward skilled driving.
Scattered throughout the tracks are various power-ups that provide offensive or defensive abilities, ranging from standard fare like speed boosts and mines to more creative options like water balloons, firecrackers, and oil slicks. The unpredictable nature of which items appear forces players to make strategic decisions on when to use them, adding an element of chaos and depth to the racing.
As players progress through a series of racing cups, they unlock new, faster RC car models to use, providing a sense of progression and encouraging skill improvement to access the best vehicles. The variety of car designs, each with their own unique handling characteristics, also allows players to find a vehicle that suits their preferred driving style.