From 1997 to 2005, the Carmageddon series brought an explosive destruction derby to PCs, consoles, and handhelds through a trilogy of games and a couple of spin-offs. In 2014, Stainless Games revitalized the long-dormant franchise through Carmageddon: Reincarnation, and followed it up two years later with Carmageddon: Max Damage, but the series has been quiet ever since. Today, during the PC Gaming Show, that changed, as a new spin-off entry, Carmageddon: Rogue Shift, was announced.
As the name implies, Carmageddon: Rogue Shift adds a roguelite twist to the arcade-style vehicular combat of the series. True to that style of gameplay, you can unlock various weapons, classes, perks, and more as you battle bosses, race through the streets, and choose your path through a branching map. Each run drops you into a world with a day/night cycle with dynamic weather, where hordes of zombies emerge into the streets at night. Your only hope of escape is by winning the Carmageddon street-racing tournament. This entry promises stylish driving mechanics, tactical loadouts, and destruction-based racing.
“We are bringing something fresh to the franchise and the racing genre,” game director Giuseppe Enrico Franchi said in a press release. “Carmageddon means explore, experiment, paint the streets red, and crumple up opponents. We want our players to adapt, upgrade, and unleash destruction on zombie hordes with glee behind the wheel of a killing machine.”
The previous two Carmageddon console games, Reincarnation and Max Damage, did not fare well critically, with each holding a Metacritic average score in the 50s. However, Rogue Shift brings in a new developer, 34BigThings. The studio’s most recent game, a racing title called Redout 2, has as high as a 78 on Metacritic, with its sense of speed serving as one of the most commonly sung praises in reviews.
Carmageddon: Rogue Shift arrives on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC in early 2026.
It’s great to see the return of such a classic series! Carmageddon has always been known for its wild and chaotic gameplay, and it’s exciting to think about how it will evolve for a new generation of gamers. Looking forward to seeing what fresh ideas are in store!
Absolutely! The blend of chaotic gameplay and dark humor really set Carmageddon apart from other racing games. It’s exciting to see how the developers might modernize those elements while keeping the essence of what fans loved.
I completely agree! The unique combination of over-the-top violence and satire definitely gave Carmageddon its distinctive charm. Plus, the ability to explore open environments added an extra layer of excitement that kept players engaged. It’s great to see the series making a comeback!
Absolutely! It really set the series apart by blending humor with intense gameplay. Plus, the open-world design allowed for creative ways to approach missions and wreak havoc, which kept players coming back for more. Excited to see how they expand on that in Rogue Shift!