3:35pm – I’ve just been exploring Free Roam. I was initially dubious after reading critical feedback this week from reviewers.
However, as somebody obsessed with cosy games, who enjoys wandering around worlds in RPGs with little objective other than to explore the environment, I had a darn tooting good time. I think a lot of players like me, plus kids, will enjoy this style of play if they’re in the mood for something a bit less competitive.
The live map continuously updates when you’re in the main menu, so you can see where other characters are in real time.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
I started off my journey in Acorn Heights and had to train my brain to understand that I could go anywhere I wanted. I headed straight for the river, and was pleasantly surprised to find it buzzing with activity, with a Toad paddle boarding, and several other characters riding the current in a boat.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
It’s little touches like this that make the world feel more alive than ever. However, I will say that some areas do feel more limited and a bit sparse – it’s really dependent on where you go, and I’ve only explored a fraction of the map.
The day-to-night cycle is a lovely touch. As the sky began to darken, I noticed little tents and campfires next to the river. If I’m being picky, it would have been even better to have some form of basic interaction with these NPCs, no matter how small. Maybe they could give tips on the area you’re in, or share some lore about the world of Mario Kart.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
The P Switches are a neat mini game addition, and include things like collecting coins before the timer runs out, or racing to the top of a view point. If you don’t complete a challenge, no stress. You can either click in the L button to retry, or move on if you’re getting miffed off.
There are many collectables such as ? Panels and Peach Medallions, as well as piles of coins. Pipes are also a fun way to get from one part of the map to another, while some characters become part of the track. For example, this Whomp lies down to become a ramp.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
You’ll see below that I made a pitstop at Yoshi’s – which offers one Dash Food item ready to collect. Again, some form of basic menu that you could click on and use your coins would have been a nice addition.
My time is fast running out, so I’m going to give the Grand Prix Mode a go and will be paying particular attention to the Switch controls here.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
