Demolition derby racer Wreckfest 2 starts PC early access in MarchCrash test.Image credit: Bugbear Entertainment/THQ Nordic News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Feb. 4, 2025 We were big fans of developer Bugbear Entertainment's demolition derby racer Wreckfest when it launched back in 2018, so there was some excitement when a sequel was announced last year. And the studio has now confirmed similarly enthusiastic sorts will be able to slam pedal to the metal when Wreckfest 2 launches into Steam early access on 20th March.Wreckfest 2 promises what Bugbear is calling the "next evolution of full-contact racing", and there's talk of an overhauled physics engine, more intricate component damage simulation, and "even higher crash fidelity" - all working together to conjure "absolute vehicular mayhem".Course-wise, Bugbear is promising a blend of high-speed circuits, "crazy courses with obstacles and jumps", plus intersections and oncoming traffic. Initially these'll be available in Racing, Derby and multiplayer mode - supporting up to 34 players - with more to come. Sometime into Wreckfrest 2's early access release, for instance, Bugbear is set to introduce a revamped career mode designed to adapt to individuals' playstyles, plus as skill-based matchmaking system and server queues for online players.Wreckfest 2 early access announcement trailer.Watch on YouTubeIn order to prepare for the big race, player can customise their battered cars with new armour and components types intended to suit different playstyles, with more parts coming as early access continues. Also due to launch at some point during early access are tournaments, high-score challenges putting players in "unconventional vehicles that were definitely never supposed to end up on a racetrack", and mod support.Bugbear says the goal of early access is to ensure Wreckfest 2 is "shaped by [player] feedback" from day one. And while there's no indication of how long Bugbear plans early access to continue, the original Wreckfest notably remained in early access for four years. The results, however, were worth it, with Martin Robison calling it a game of "primal pleasures" and "little by way of pretension" in his Recommended review.So if you're ready to ride its sequel as it heads to the early access finish line, you'll be able to do so on Steam from 20th March.