Incremental Retro Racing Review (Steam)

There are plenty of retro-inspired racers on Steam, and there are even more incremental games fighting for your attention. What makes Incremental Retro Racing interesting is how unapologetically it combines both genres into a single package. Instead of simply chasing faster lap times, you're constantly earning stars, unlocking upgrades, buying new vehicles, and gradually building an ever-expanding racing empire. The result is a surprisingly addictive blend of arcade driving and number-go-up satisfaction.

At its core, the game is wonderfully simple. Race, earn stars, spend them, and race again. Every run contributes to your overall progression, whether you're chasing top speed, beating the clock, or experimenting with different vehicles and track modifiers. The more successful you become, the more options the game throws your way, creating that familiar incremental hook where every upgrade leads to another goal just over the horizon. With more than 70 vehicles, upgrades, and unlockables to discover, there's always something worth saving up for.

The driving itself deliberately embraces an old-school arcade feel. Rather than aiming for modern simulation realism, it captures the spirit of classic racers from the late '80s and early '90s. Cars fly through colourful procedurally generated roads, and the action remains easy to pick up even when things start moving at increasingly ridiculous speeds. The handling is approachable while still requiring enough attention to avoid turning every race into a journey through the scenery.

What really keeps the experience engaging is the sense of momentum outside the races. Every star earned contributes towards meaningful progress, and unlocking a new vehicle often changes how you approach the next run. The game understands exactly what makes incremental titles compelling: you're rarely far away from another reward. Even short play sessions can feel productive, making it dangerously easy to tell yourself "just one more race" before realising an hour has disappeared.

Visually, the retro presentation does a good job of selling the nostalgic fantasy. Pixel-inspired visuals, vibrant colour palettes, and a fully customisable CRT filter help create the illusion that you've discovered some long-lost racing game from an alternate 1990s. Unlimited track generation also helps keep things fresh, preventing the scenery from becoming overly repetitive during longer sessions.

The game's biggest challenge is that it occasionally feels torn between being a racing game and being an idle-style progression game. Players hoping for deep racing mechanics may find the upgrade loop more compelling than the driving itself, while hardcore incremental fans might wish for even more automation systems. Fortunately, the two halves complement each other more often than they clash, creating a unique identity that stands out from both genres.

For just £8.99, Incremental Retro Racing offers an inventive twist on arcade racing that feels refreshingly different from the usual racers flooding digital storefronts. It won't replace your favourite simulation racer, nor is it the deepest incremental game available, but its combination of arcade speed, constant progression, and retro charm makes it easy to recommend for players looking for something a little unusual.

Pros

• Addictive incremental progression loop

• Large selection of vehicles and upgrades

• Unlimited track generation keeps races fresh

• Charming retro aesthetic with CRT customisation

• Perfect for short or long play sessions

Cons

• Racing mechanics can feel secondary to progression

• May be too simplistic for simulation fans

• Incremental systems aren't as deep as dedicated idle games

Incremental Retro Racing successfully merges arcade racing with incremental progression, creating a surprisingly compelling experience that keeps you chasing both speed and the next upgrade in equal measure.

XPN Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (SILVER)

Incremental Retro Racing is available now!