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Sci-fi racer with fancy 4-point physics 'DRAG' is now in Early Access

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Orontes Games have finally unleashed DRAG, their sci-fi racer set sometime in the future with advanced 4-point physics into Early Access. Note: key provided to GOL by the developer.

Introducing what they say is a "new kind of vehicle-physics", their 4-way contact point traction technology (or 4CPT-technology for short) simulates every component of the vehicles in real time. The result is supposed to give you "realistic, dynamic" behaviour with a full damage model, so expect to see wheels flying across your screen when in multiplayer. You can view the Early Access trailer below:

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Feature Highlight:

  • DRAG combines arcade style racing with vibrant driving mechanics.
  • Even though DRAG is not a simple arcade racer, it's designed to be played with a gamepad or keyboard. Support for racing wheels will be added in Early Access.
  • 24 Singleplayer challenges
  • Multiplayer wheel-to-wheel racing in online or split screen matches

One element that makes DRAG quite interesting is the slipstream feature, so you can follow along another car closely behind and gain a bit of speed which you can use to then overtake them. However, you can also play it dirty. Slamming another player off the track is a perfectly valid tactic here.

I've not had long with this build of the game, so some proper thoughts will be reserved for another time. Initial thoughts though? Impressive. DRAG certainly leaves a lasting impression. One of difficulty though, as getting even a basic grip on the handling is thoroughly challenging that really needs your absolute undivided attention to master.

The single-player challenges and trials are absolutely great, with nice short-bursts that you can repeat over until you really know the track and some longer to really test you. Online is going to take some more developer time put into it, as right now the only option is to join a random online game. A proper lobby system would be a good addition there but it works enough for now. During Early Access they plan to add more cars, tracks and so on.

You can buy DRAG on Steam.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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18 comments
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etam Aug 12, 2020
Quoting: Para-Gliding- how to try this one-track demo?!
It was available only during Steam Game Festival (16-22 of June).
Para-Gliding Aug 12, 2020
Quoting: etam
Quoting: Para-Gliding- how to try this one-track demo?!
It was available only during Steam Game Festival (16-22 of June).

um... why?
awesam Aug 13, 2020
Quoting: Para-Gliding
Quoting: etam
Quoting: Para-Gliding- how to try this one-track demo?!
It was available only during Steam Game Festival (16-22 of June).

um... why?

The demo was a challenge and they held a competition. So I guess they removed it because there is no longer a competition and because the game is in early access, so at some point that demo may not represent the current quality and state of the game.

I bet if people are interested they will put up a new demo for the next Steam Game Festival held in October

For the record I think the game is pretty great already in current state. It obviously is somewhat lacking in content, especially if you are not all that into multiplayer. I hope at some point they also add a single player campaign with AI racers. I think the crash physics need some tweaking too, because when crashing into things looks pretty unrealistic (the car can go flying around like it has no weight).
g000h Aug 15, 2020
Sorry, but I didn't like the driving mechanics at all. Played for 5 minutes, couldn't stay on the track with any decent speed. I've played Redout under Proton, and that plays much better than this. Uninstalled the free demo.
tuubi Aug 15, 2020
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Quoting: g000hSorry, but I didn't like the driving mechanics at all. Played for 5 minutes, couldn't stay on the track with any decent speed. I've played Redout under Proton, and that plays much better than this. Uninstalled the free demo.
Might as well be comparing SuperTuxKart to Dirt Rally. Not saying you shouldn't have your preference, but these games have very little in common. One aims for a realistic driving model while the other is pure arcade.
awesam Aug 15, 2020
I think many will probably be surprised by the mechanics, because futuristic racers are usually with arcade like gameplay. I did not expect it myself when I tried the demo the first time. But I'm okay with it though, because I have played plenty of both simulator and arcadey racing games.

I did see people mention on the Steam forums that they want an easy mode, so who knows maybe the devs will add some option as the game is still in development.

(for the record I really suck at this game, struggled to even get bronze on the challenges )

EDIT: And yes before anyone mentions it, I know there is no bronze, it is a wood trophy. But it sounds just wrong saying I barely got wood during the challenges


Last edited by awesam on 15 August 2020 at 10:36 am UTC
Mountain Man Aug 17, 2020
Great graphics. Great performance in Linux. And that's where the praise ends. Hopefully they tune the driving model, because at the moment, the cars feel way too light and don't grip the road, like the wheels are rolling over the mud instead of digging into it. Power sliding is inordinately difficult, and one wrong twitch can suddenly bounce you off the track and into the invisible barrier that immediately ends the race.
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