Super Woden Rally Edge was released earlier this month with little to no marketing budget, yet it has become a breakthrough title for the beloved franchise to date.
This is despite a narrowed focus compared to its predecessors, which covered many genres of cars and premintent racing formats – driving around circuits against computer-controlled opponents.
Rallying is seen within motorsport circles as somewhat of a niche player, principally because its leading light, the FIA World Rally Championship, isn’t perhaps in the rudest of health presently. The days of mainstream media coverage of the 1990s and 2000s also seem long ago, mainly because they are.
Virtually, however, there has been a flood of big and small rally games, proving the inherent appeal of racing modified machines across varied terrain against the clock.
Rally Edge is this, in its purest form, while simultaneously harking back to the sport’s ‘glory days’.
While it liberally uses rose-tinted spectacles, it also nails a present-day racing game zeitgeist.
Consequently, this series spin-off has garnered triple the player count compared to 2023’s Super Woden GP 2.
Surpassing expectations
“Super Woden GP 2 changed my life, so I went into this release assuming it might sell a bit less, just to avoid the disappointment of setting expectations too high,” explains the solo creator Victor, aka ViJuDa.
“However, it overwhelmingly surpassed them, leaving Super Woden GP 2’s numbers far behind, completely unexpectedly.
“Considering the genre and the niche, I think it’s the highest number I’ve ever seen.”
It also helps that Rally Edge’s progression and driving experience are sublime. There’s no bloat, and yet for the modest £10.99 / $12.99 price, there are at least eight hours of gameplay before you start chasing leaderboard scores or filling your garage up.
Sure, there’s a lack of steering wheel support, virtual reality, online multiplayer or ray tracing, but it’s refreshing that a complete game has released and is polished from day one. It’s meat and two veg, skillfully cooked. This is something that ViJuDa has no plans to change:
“Of course, I’d also love to make a game with online multiplayer, a track editor, a livery editor, dynamic weather, animated crowds… but right now I can only do what my energy allows.
“I think I need some time to recover from the burnout and stress of the final stretch and the launch itself, in order to properly process everything.
“That said, I know my games are and always will be auteur-driven games, so they won’t please everyone. That’s not my goal.”
Possible additions, without paid DLC
The same is true of extortionate paid DLC packs, bundles, season passes or pre-panned slates. Rally Edge is devoid of such commercial-driven content, although additions may be on the way through game updates.
“Yes!” explains ViJuDa when asked about additional content.
“I never really feel that my work is finished. I usually keep my games alive by adding content, although I don’t like tying myself to a strict roadmap.
“I enjoy adding cars, competitions, and ideas that come to me along the way. I already have some ideas in motion.
“As for paid DLCs, people have suggested it to me before, but I love video games in their most traditional form.”
Of course, the significant rise in player numbers, sales and review scores – we gave Rally Edge a 9/10, labelling it “a triumph” – can bring with it both validation and burden.
“[The release has brought] a lot of happiness, but also a lot of pressure. I’m a simple person, and while this kind of success makes me very happy, it doesn’t really change the way I approach my work.
“The downside is that statistically, more sales mean more exposure, and more exposure brings toxic or obsessive profiles.
“That forces me to distance myself a bit to protect my mental health. It’s the bad part, because I love being close to my community, but I’ve noticed I’ve had to set some boundaries, and I’m not used to that yet.”
Success has always been a double-edged sword.
The future of Super Woden
Still, with console versions set for later in 2026, there must be a desire to continue the series and continue to build upon its momentum.
“I’ll probably take a short break to reflect on that,” considers the indie developer.
“Beyond making games with passion, I think it’s very important to understand the market. After a small rest, I’ll think it through, but I find it very hard to imagine doing something that isn’t related to cars.
“Super Woden is already becoming a recognisable brand, so I’ll try to make it stronger with each new release.”