Downforce: Wild Ride Expansion

Downforce is an amazing game but definitely one that needed expansions as the original two tracks felt quite similar. The first expansion ‘Danger Circuit‘ added two very distinct tracks which I really liked, and you can read my review here. It was followed up by this expansion Wild Ride. The question is, does this expansion run out of fuel before the end of the race or does it blast into first place and stay there until the champagne is flowing?

Quick answer, this is champagne all the way, read on to find out why you need this expansion if you love Downforce.

Less Is More

Wild Ride falls into the category of expansions that give you only what the game needed without any filler as you are getting just two extra tracks (with components that make the tracks work), however these tracks are amazing and elevate the game to a new level.

Before I talk about the new tracks individual properties let me inform you that Restoration Games fixed one of the biggest problems with the original tracks. The first player now starts from the back of the grid rather than the front meaning they cannot control the race from the first corner onwards. This small change really improves the game and takes away some of the obvious choices as to which car to bid on at the beginning of the race.

Jump, Jump

The first side of the map is called Aloha Sands and to play this side you need to construct the ramps. You read that right, this map includes ramps to enable the cars to jump vast distances. The track is set on a beautiful island with sharks and rays swimming in the water around the track, there are also lush forests and beautiful beaches which really elevate the track design to a new level.

This track does not have many choke points instead it relies on the ramps to bring the excitement. When you reach a ramp it will have a number on it ranging from three to six. If the speed card you played had your cars colour at least as high as the ramp number you may use the ramp to take a significant shortcut. When you land you continue your movement with any movement points not yet used. This could cause you to hit another ramp and away you go if you meet that criteria. If your movement ends on the landing space of a ramp you will block any other cars from using the ramp.

Aloha Sands encourages a fast and frantic race with very little of the blocking normally associated with Downforce. It is definitely my second favourite race track in the series, so which is my first?

The Elephant In The Room

Of course it is the reverse side, Savanna Stretch. This track does a couple of clever new things. Firstly it ditches the circuit format for a sprint race like a rally, and secondly it adds animals to the track to cause maximum mayhem.

Included with this track are three tiles (antelope, snake and elephant) and at the beginning of the game you place them on the relevant spaces closest to the start of the race. These act as obstacles that cannot be passed and they cause the drivers to take the long way round to pass them. But as soon as one car passes the animal it moves on to the next section of the track. The hole left behind can be utilised by the other cars giving them a massive advantage.

This track is all about the blocking and placing of your opponents to your advantage. It can cause some really long stalemate moments which I love in this game. In one game we played we caused such a big stalemate that none of the cars actually had enough cards to finish the race. This caused laughter from everyone and we had to immediately re-play the race.

Buy It Now

If you love Downforce you need this expansion as it will give you so much joy. If you only just like Downforce then you also need it as it will improve your appreciation for the game significantly.

It is a real shame that Restoration Games seem to have stopped making expansions for Downforce as this was definitely heading in the right direction. I can only hope they are currently cooking something up like maybe a modular track so that you can make your designs.

Now go, race, jump and block but don’t crash into that elephant.