Review: CarGo! | Xbox

Have you ever fancied yourself as a delivery driver racing against the clock in increasingly absurd scenarios? Well, buckle up because CarGo! has just screeched onto Xbox, bringing with it all the chaos, laughs and frantic local multiplayer action you could want from an arcade driving game.

Special Delivery

At its heart, CarGo! is refreshingly straightforward. You’re tasked with delivering packages across the islands of Carchipelago within tight time limits. Simple, right? Not quite. As I quickly discovered during my first few deliveries, this game throws spanners into the works at every turn.

Each level presents as a single-screen cityscape where you’ll navigate traffic, dodge obstacles, and sometimes craft resources before making your final delivery. The faster you complete your tasks, the better your star rating – and you’ll need those stars to progress through the game.

Behind The Wheel

The driving model is deliberately arcade-style, harking back to classic games with accessible controls that are easy to pick up. That said, there’s a delightfully floaty quality to the handling that adds to the mayhem. During my playthrough, I found myself careening into walls, flipping over bridges and accidentally terrorising the local traffic more often than I’d like to admit.

Is it frustrating at times? Perhaps. But that’s rather the point. The unpredictability becomes part of the charm, especially when you throw multiple players into the mix.

Multiplayer Madness

Where CarGo! truly excels is in its local co-op mode, supporting up to four players on a single screen. Coordinating deliveries with my mates quickly descended into hilarious chaos, with shouted directions, last-minute route changes, and plenty of accidental collisions.

“Take the bridge!” I shouted to my friend, only to realise it was rising for a boat to pass through. The resulting launch of his delivery van into the water had us in stitches. These moments of unexpected pandemonium are what make CarGo! special.

Visually Appealing

The game sports a bright, cartoonish art style that perfectly complements its lighthearted tone. The cities are surprisingly detailed, with charming buildings and busy streets that feel alive. While it won’t push your Xbox to its graphical limits, the colourful presentation and upbeat soundtrack create an inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for family game nights or casual sessions with friends.

Roadblocks Ahead

It’s not all smooth driving, however. The progression system requiring a minimum number of stars might frustrate more casual players, particularly younger ones. Some of the later challenges ramp up the difficulty considerably, with police chases and complex delivery chains that demand precision driving – something the deliberately floaty controls don’t always facilitate.

The Verdict

CarGo! knows exactly what it wants to be: a chaotic, accessible arcade driving game that prioritises fun over realism. While solo play is enjoyable enough, the game truly shines in multiplayer, offering the same kind of manic cooperative experience that made games like Overcooked and Moving Out so popular.

At around £10/$15, it’s reasonably priced for the entertainment it provides. If you’re after a new party game that will have everyone laughing (or playfully shouting at each other), CarGo! delivers the goods with style.