Deconstruction and System Analysis: How the Mechanics Work in Hill Climb Racing 2

Hill Climb Racing 2, developed by Fingersoft, is a great casual mobile racing game in my opinion. It thrives on simplicity and excitement. Players embark on gravity-defying journeys across diverse terrains, maneuvering through challenging obstacles in a quest for victory against other players. With a wide array of vehicles, upgrades, and customizable features, the game offers a captivating blend of skill, strategy, and adrenaline-pumping fun. I personally really like how they implemented the physics. However, there is much that can be improved in this game, but not related to the context of our focus here.

Hill Climb Racing 2 is centered around the theme of skillful driving. Something that I’m not very good at 😛 but I still like the challenge. This theme creates an adventurous atmosphere that fuels the excitement of overcoming obstacles. The dynamic physics and vibrant visuals contribute to an immersive experience that pushes players to push their limits.

Core loop

There are loops in a few different parts of the game but the main loop is the one in the cup menu:

1. Vehicle Selection

At the start, you’re presented with a range of vehicles. Each choice offers a unique feel and strategy, which adds a layer of depth to the decision-making process. Selecting the right vehicle for a particular track becomes a strategy, and this initial choice sets the tone for the races ahead.

2. Navigating Terrains

The heart of the experience is mastering the art of navigating challenging terrains and you aim to achieve the best time possible on a specific track and then compare your performance to other players ghost form. Meaning that you’re not directly competing against live opponents in real-time, instead, you’re racing against the recorded performances of other players. As you race, you’ll find yourself ascending steep hills, navigating slopes, and tackling a variety of obstacles that test your skill and precision. Your fuel soon will run out and you also need to think about that also. 

3. Earning Rewards and Progression

Each successful race rewards you with in-game currency, and with it comes the opportunity to progress further. This progression is twofold: not only you unlock new vehicles and upgrade them but you also help your club with upgrading the weekly chest based on how long you run your cars.

4. Vehicle Upgrades and Enhancement

There is an ability to upgrade your vehicles. Investing in enhancements such as engine upgrades, better traction, and improved suspension significantly impacts performance. This adds a strategic layer, as your choices directly influence how your vehicle handles the challenges you’ll face.

5- Expanding Horizons:

As you continue racing and improving, the game introduces new levels. From snowy terrains to desert landscapes, each setting introduces its own set of challenges.

Challenges and Events:

The game goes beyond the core loop by introducing challenges, team races, and events. These provide additional objectives, diversifying the gameplay experience.

The combination of physics-based driving, vehicle upgrades, challenging terrain, and various objectives makes “Hill Climb Racing” a compelling and addictive game. The mechanics create a balance between skillful driving, strategic decision-making, and a sense of progression that keeps players engaged over time. Besides the main basic mechanics (acceleration and break which were so obvious that I did not include them), Here are some of the main and prominent mechanics in the game that players interact with on a regular basis:

Physics-Based Driving: One of the core mechanics of “Hill Climb Racing” is its physics-based driving system. The game simulates realistic vehicle movement and handling, making it essential for players to balance acceleration, braking, and tilting the vehicle to maintain control while navigating challenging terrain.

Parts System: Besides the in-game currency, players find parts in the chests. These parts directly affect the performance and capabilities of the vehicles. For example, my favorite one is “fuel boost” which we can get a good boost upon getting fuel in the race.

Upgrades and Customization: The game features an upgrade system where players can use in-game currency to improve their vehicle’s performance. Upgrades include engine power, grip, suspension, and more. This mechanic encourages players to make decisions on how to allocate resources for optimal progress.

Fuel Management: Vehicles in the game are fueled by a limited amount of fuel. Players need to carefully manage their fuel consumption to ensure they can complete each level without running out of fuel. This mechanic adds an element of resource management and decision-making.

Unlockable Vehicles and Levels: As players progress and earn coins, they can unlock new vehicles and levels. Each vehicle has unique attributes that affect gameplay, adding variety to the experience.

Stunt System: The game rewards players for performing stunts and flips during jumps, which contributes to their overall score.

I broke down HCR2 into 10 main systems(there are many more systems and features but these are enough for our purpose for now). Here in this graph, I listed the main systems and some of their relevant elements and their connections. 

Analyzing the systems

Here we analyze the main systems by providing 3 main concepts for each.

• Progression System:
  • Purpose: To provide a sense of achievement and advancement for players as they play the game.
  • Mechanics: Players earn XP by completing races and challenges, leading to level-ups and unlocking new content such as vehicles, tracks, and customization options.
  • Impact: Encourages players to stay engaged and motivated by offering a clear path of progression and a sense of accomplishment.
• Currency System:
  • Purpose: Facilitates in-game transactions and creates an economy within the game world.
  • Mechanics: Players earn and spend different types of currency, such as coins, parts, and gems, for various purposes including upgrades and  purchases.
  • Impact: Provides a sense of ownership and control over customization and progression, while also serving as a key element in the game’s monetization strategy.
• Upgrade System:
  • Purpose: Enhances player performance and customization options.
  • Mechanics: Players can use in-game currency and resources to improve vehicle attributes.
  • Impact: Increases player agency and personalization, allowing them to tailor their gameplay experience while contributing to a sense of growth and improvement.
• Rewards System:
  • Purpose: Motivates players to engage with various activities and complete tasks.
  • Mechanics: Players earn rewards such as currency, parts, or tickets by completing missions, achievements, and events.
  • Impact: Encourages players to explore different aspects of the game and provides immediate gratification for their efforts.
• Social System:
  • Purpose: Provides community engagement and collaboration among players.
  • Mechanics: Players can connect with friends, join or create clubs and participate in club events.
  • Impact: Enhances player retention through social interactions, competition, and collective goals, contributing to a sense of belonging.
• Mission System (Tasks):
  • Purpose: Provides players with short-term goals and challenges.
  • Mechanics: Players complete specific tasks to earn rewards and progress.
  • Impact: Increases player engagement by offering a variety of objectives, and regular gameplay sessions.
• Club System(teams):
  • Purpose: Promotes teamwork and group dynamics.
  • Mechanics: Players can join or create clubs, participate in club events, and earn club-specific rewards.
  • Impact: Encourages collaboration, competition, and a sense of accomplishment through collective achievements.
• Event System:
  • Purpose: Introduces time-limited challenges and content.
  • Mechanics: Players engage in special events with unique objectives, earning event currency and rewards.
  • Impact: Increases player engagement during specific time periods and provides a sense of urgency and excitement.
• Onboarding System:
  • Purpose: Introduces new players to the game mechanics and features.
  • Mechanics: Tutorials, introductory rewards, and guided experiences for new players.
  • Impact: Ensures a smooth and enjoyable start for new players, reducing frustration and increasing the likelihood of player retention.
• Monetization System:
  • Purpose: Generates revenue for the game developer while offering optional purchases to players.
  • Mechanics: Involves in-app purchases, ads, and premium features that provide advantages, convenience, or cosmetic enhancements.
  • Impact: Balancing the monetization with player experience is crucial to avoid P2W scenarios and to maintain a positive relationship between free and paying users.

Monetization strategies

There is a range of approaches that encourage players to make in-game purchases, subscribe to services, or engage with ads.

• IAPs:
  • Variety of items(skins-parts or chests) available for purchase
  • Offerings of limited-time or exclusive IAPs to create a sense of urgency.

• Subscription Models:
  • VIP Subscription and premium pass and lots of benefits, such as extra daily task, daily VIP chest, premium pass, double points, ad-free, and …
  • Subscriptions aim to create stable revenue while providing players with continuous value.

• Cosmetic Items and Customization:
  • Offering cosmetic items and customization options that do not affect gameplay but many people like it to have cool costumes.

• Rewarded Ads and Free Currency:
  • offer players the option to watch video advertisements in exchange for in-game rewards, such as extra currency and speeding up for opening the chests.
• Limited-Time Events and Sales:

Special limited-time sales offer discounts or bundled packages for in-game items, motivating players to make purchases during these promotional periods

• Balance Between Free and Paid Players:
  • There is a good balance between free and paid players in this game