As a longtime fan, I was disappointed with the Crazy Taxi: World Tour Gamescom demo. The original game's unique controls and iconic soundtrack have been replaced with an over-simplified driving mechanic, and the story missions feel like a cheap arcade imitator.
The game's attempt to broaden its setting by moving to Germany does little to salvage the experience. The driving controls, reminiscent of other racing games, lack the finesse of the original, where D and R were used for driving and reversing respectively.
The soundtrack, a standout feature of the original, has been reduced to playing only when a mission starts, robbing the game of its vibrant, energetic atmosphere. While the multiplayer mode might redeem it, the core experience is fundamentally altered, leaving a sour taste.
Crazy Taxi: World Tour is set to release on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch in 2027, but for those who played the Dreamcast original, the new version simply won't do.
