Battle Derby

Overview

Welcome to the world of Battle Derby, where cars and guns collide in a destructive and chaotic derby experience. This game is not just about smashing cars; it's a test of strategic thinking and tactical choices, from selecting the right vehicle to upgrading it for optimal performance.

Gameplay

The journey in Battle Derby begins with a straightforward tutorial, culminating in your receiving your first car. But instead of choosing your game mode, every match now throws you into a random battle type: either Team Deathmatch, Battle Royale, or Find & Destroy.

Battle Derby's arena is a dynamic, circular map dotted with various obstacles, weapon pickups, and health packs. Despite the visually engaging graphics and decorations, the maps I traversed didn't significantly vary the gameplay. Each car comes equipped with a pistol and a secondary weapon you pick up on the map. These pickups have limited ammo, necessitating strategic use, especially since different weapons offer various effects, like immobilizing enemies. This variety sparks intense competition for key weapons.

One big shift over the years? The player base has noticeably grown. Matches now feel way more competitive, with skilled opponents and fewer bots. And even when bots do appear, they’ve leveled up. These AI-controlled cars aren’t just cannon fodder anymore, they dodge, attack, and actually fight back, making them a legitimate challenge rather than just filler. On top of that, since every match is now a ranked match, climbing the leaderboard comes with real rewards, making victory feel even more satisfying.

Combat itself still leans into frantic, high-energy destruction. The wait-and-attack strategy for finishing off low-health enemies still holds up, but with tougher opponents, you can’t just coast your way to easy kills. The reload time and damage output of weapons add another layer to the strategy, while your car itself can become a battering ram, adding to the sense of unbridled chaos. This game mode leans more towards casual, hectic fun than deep strategic play. Every match lasts about five minutes, making Battle Derby a great pick for quick, engaging sessions.

The game also features a comprehensive car collection and upgrade system. You gather resources by winning games or completing quests, mainly using gold coins and car cards. Upgrades with gold coins offer minimal changes that I didn’t notice during play. The true power increase came with collecting car cards to unlock and fully upgrade cars, which presents a more significant impact, providing a strong incentive to keep playing, especially if you fall in love with a car just out of reach.

Additionally, the option to rent cars using gold coins offers immediate access to a variety of vehicles. As your collection grows, you can even lend out your cars, creating a unique player interaction dynamic.

That said, there are some lingering issues. The game has an odd “No Connection” error that pops up mid-match, even when everything runs smoothly without lag. It doesn’t seem to actually affect gameplay, but seeing that warning when the match is going fine? Definitely annoying. Another gripe? The long ads you have to sit through just to claim boxes. It’s a small thing, but when you're hyped after a match, waiting through an ad kills the momentum.

Bugs and ads aside, Battle Derby is actually really fun. The randomness of game modes, the ranked matches, and the competitive player base make every match feel exciting. It’s chaotic, it’s strategic, and most importantly—it’s a blast to play.

Review

Battle Derby remains an exciting and competitive game, but it hasn't seen many major updates over time. While new features and improvements have been minimal, the good news is that the player base has significantly increased. More active players mean tougher matches, a livelier competitive scene, and an overall better experience. The addition of ranked matches has also given more weight to every battle, making victories feel more rewarding.

Despite the lack of updates, the core gameplay still holds up. The random game mode selection keeps things dynamic, and the bot AI has improved enough to provide a challenge. However, persistent issues like the "No Connection" error and long ads can take away from the experience. If the developers commit to more frequent updates, Battle Derby has the potential to become even better. For now, it remains a fun and engaging game with a thriving community that keeps the action alive.