Let’s kick this off with Make Way by Ice BEAM, published by Secret Mode. This energetic title revives classic top-down racing with a clever twist—you build the track while you race. As one Steam user delightfully put it, “It made me laugh this much in ages.” That perfectly captures its unpredictable, laugh-out-loud charm and chaotic appeal.
And honestly, I couldn’t agree more. The real magic happens when you’re rapidly placing loops, corkscrews, and even train crossings mid-race. Ice BEAM’s roots in arcade game ports shine through—each modular track piece feels tactile, playful, and steeped in retro DNA that long-time racing fans will appreciate.
Shifting gears to the competitive side, the build-and-race format adds a fresh layer of challenge. Think of Trackmania’s editor, but instead of building ahead of time, you’re thrown right into the mayhem. That real-time construction turns each round into a reactive, strategic puzzle that rewards both speed and creativity.
That’s absolutely right. Your build speed isn’t just cosmetic—it directly affects your lap time, which ramps up the tension. However, not all feedback has been glowing. Some players have reported discomfort from the zooming camera and constant perspective shifts. A fixed-camera toggle could be a smart, player-friendly solution that improves accessibility without sacrificing the visual dynamism.
On a more positive note, the sheer variety of unlockable hazards and vehicles adds real depth. I’m currently chasing every goo cannon and bizarre, looping obstacle. What’s more, Secret Mode has a solid history of supporting modders, so there’s real hope they’ll release DLC packs or workshop tools to supercharge the already expansive creative sandbox.
Let’s take a deeper look at the core mechanics. Right out of the gate, the controls feel crisp and highly responsive. You carve through wild curves with satisfying drifts, launch off boost pads, and react in real time to unpredictable hazards. One standout moment? When a train barrels across the screen—nailing your jump timing means the difference between maintaining momentum or total wipeout.
Building on that, the game’s combat layer adds a sharp competitive edge. Goo cannons splatter opponents into sticky chaos, while Tesla coils zap racers with a satisfying jolt. Each checkpoint acts as a clever respawn node, letting players stage “revenge loops” and re-enter the fray with a vengeance. It’s the kind of fast-paced, power-up-driven madness that recalls the best of Micro Machines—fun, frantic, and full of surprises.
From a tactical perspective, optimizing every move becomes essential. I’ve managed to shave full seconds off my runs by boosting across seesaws and timing weapon pickups perfectly. For players who love to min-max, a built-in timer or ghost replay system would add serious replay value—especially for the speedrunning community craving precision refinement.
Now, on the narrative front—Make Way isn’t trying to tell a grand story, and that’s by design. In a developer interview, Ice BEAM mentioned their goal was to recreate “pure arcade joy.” Even so, they’ve teased a light single-player mode with a “race through chaos” premise that might introduce light lore or a sense of progression for solo racers.
That narrative restraint actually works in the game’s favor. The pacing stays laser-focused on fast, fluid multiplayer action. Any dialogue is limited to menu screens, so your gameplay loop stays uninterrupted. And if story elements ever appear, they’ll likely be delivered subtly—perhaps through track-side art, themed vehicles, or quirky bios that reward observant players.
Visually, it’s an absolute treat for retro racing fans. Powered by Unity’s 2D engine, Make Way delivers vibrant arcade-style aesthetics that pop right off the screen. Bold primary colors, chunky outlines, and lively animations channel the spirit of 90s racers like Super Sprint or Rock n’ Roll Racing. Every track piece feels handcrafted, giving the game a nostalgic edge while maintaining a clean, modern polish.
On the performance side, Make Way runs like a dream. Whether you’re on PC, console, or even the Nintendo Switch, the frame rate holds a consistent 60 FPS, keeping gameplay silky smooth. Even with massive user-generated tracks, draw-distance quirks are minimal—and crucially, they don’t interrupt flow or cause noticeable lag during races.
When it comes to sound, Make Way impresses again. The soundtrack mixes chiptune with thumping drum loops, perfectly matching the pace of each race. Tracks like “Turbo Junction” build excitement, while goo splats and coil zaps give weapons satisfying weight.
Interestingly, there’s no voice acting—and that’s a deliberate win. Adding driver chatter might clutter the experience. Instead, detailed sound cues like tire screeches and item hits enhance focus and help players intuitively master the mechanics.
Now, onto characters—specifically, the vehicles. Each unlockable ride boasts personality. One’s decked out in flame decals, another totes a rooftop shotgun. These cosmetic and functional flourishes give you long-term goals beyond just crossing the finish line.
Speaking of difficulty, Make Way hits the sweet spot. The default rules offer a fair challenge, but you can tweak traps and safety barriers to increase or decrease the chaos. I recommend new players leave barriers on, while veterans crank the madness to full.
That said, there’s one hitch—online lobbies can feel empty at times. Still, local split-screen multiplayer runs like a dream. Just plug in a second controller, and the party starts instantly. It’s a fantastic game-night option for couch co-op fans.
Cross-platform multiplayer is available too, but it shines when you’ve got friends ready to join. Secret Mode often hosts events across their games, and a regular Make Way tournament could seriously revive lobbies and highlight creative track design.
When it comes to replay value, this game’s got it in spades. Endless track combinations, unlockables, and performance-based trophies will keep players engaged for hours. Some fans have even built narrative-style “track episodes”—proof of the game’s unexpected storytelling depth.
Steam achievements only add to that drive. Many are delightfully difficult—like finishing a course in under 1:50. It’s a dream setup for speedrunners who thrive on precision, timing, and incremental improvement across countless runs.
To wrap things up, Make Way offers joyful chaos wrapped in nostalgia. Ice BEAM masterfully blends retro inspiration with inventive mechanics. It stands proudly alongside Circuit Superstars and Micro Machines—a fresh entry in the build-and-race pantheon.
Even more, it scratches that creative itch perfectly. Between building tracks and dodging hazards, it turns simple racing into something wildly personal and chaotic.
For competitive thinkers, there’s real strategy at play. Between weapon timing, trap setups, and route planning, players can dive deep into layered tactics.
And let’s not forget speedrunners—the game’s fast-build, fast-race loop is practically begging for leaderboards and ghost replays. It’s a future classic just waiting for that one final update.
If You Enjoyed Make Way, Here Are Some Great Picks to Keep the Fun Going:
Looking to keep your heart racing? Here are some standout titles to dive into next:
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Trackmania Nations Forever – Precision-focused, with a powerful track editor and a passionate community creating countless custom tracks.
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Micro Machines World Series – Revives top-down racing with zany power-ups and fun-filled local matches—chaotic in all the right ways.
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Circuit Superstars – Merges arcade handling with sim depth, adding strategy with pit stops, tire wear, and a clean visual style.
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Wreckfest – Embrace vehicular mayhem with full-contact races, realistic physics, and demolition derby modes that redefine destructive fun.
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Hot Wheels Unleashed – High-flying stunts, vibrant visuals, and outrageous tracks straight from your childhood toy box—loop-the-loops galore.
Whether you’re into clever builds, dangerous hazards, or tight competitive lines, these titles deliver fast-paced thrills with a creative twist.
