Racing | Score: 7.9 / 10
Apex Circuit makes no apologies for what it is: a loud, neon-drenched, arcade-style street racer that wants you to have a good time and not think too hard about it. On those terms, it largely succeeds.
The handling model sits comfortably between simulation and pure arcade. Cars feel distinct from one another, drifting is satisfying without requiring a physics degree, and the sense of speed — particularly on the highway circuits — is genuinely exhilarating. The game runs at a locked 60fps on current-generation hardware, which makes a noticeable difference to how responsive the controls feel.
The career mode offers a solid 15–20 hours of content, with a good variety of event types. Vehicle customisation is extensive on the visual side, though mechanical upgrades feel slightly shallow compared to genre competitors. The track roster is strong, with several standout circuits that we found ourselves returning to repeatedly.
Online racing is smooth and the matchmaking is quick, though the player base in New Zealand is small enough that you may occasionally face long waits during off-peak hours.
Apex Circuit is a polished, enjoyable racing game that does exactly what it sets out to do. It lacks the depth to compete with the genre's best, but as a pick-up-and-play experience it is hard to fault.