Momentum

Momentum is a fast-paced racing game that fuses a retro 80s neon aesthetic with a tight, competitive couch play experience. It invites you to dive into short, intense races against friends in a directly accessible arena where the thrill comes from both speed and skill.

You will pilot a hover car through a gravity-defying racetrack that twists, turns, and loops in ways that reward bold decisions. The controls are designed to be easy to grasp for newcomers, yet the physics and track design provide depth for players who want to master every corner and every line.

The core gadget is the grapple hook, a precision tool that lets you swing around corners at high velocity. Use it to shave precious seconds off your lap, reach clever shortcuts, and pull off flashy maneuvers. Timing is everything: detach at the right moment to sustain momentum and avoid losing speed or crashing into the barriers.

Momentum also rewards speed in a tangible way through momentum charges scattered across the track. When you collect enough charge, your boosts kick in, delivering a surge of acceleration that can vault you ahead of competitors or help you reclaim a lead in a late-race sprint.

The game features three distinct tracks, each presenting its own rhythm and set of challenges. Success comes from balancing risk and reward, exploiting grappling opportunities, and using boosts at the most opportune moments. Every track is a test of timing, precision, and situational awareness as you juggle grappling, detachment, and boost management.

Momentum is built for couch play, designed for quick, competitive rounds on the same screen. It encourages social competition, invites friends to join in, and rewards practice with increasingly confident runs as you learn the flow of grappling and boosting in different track layouts.

Development note: Momentum was created by third-year students at Howest - Digital Arts & Entertainment. The project team includes Christina Fekkes, Michael Bellekens, Quinten Vanhooydonck, Ruben Van Ostaeyen, and Silke Nemegeer.

With its retro neon vibe, Momentum blends a crisp, responsive handling that makes every race feel immediate. Its three tracks are crafted for fast, repeatable rounds, inviting players to experiment with different grappling routes and boost usage and to race their friends again and again.

Overall, Momentum captures the thrill of local multiplayer racing with a bold neon signature and a design philosophy that rewards risk-taking and split-second decisions. This project is a student work from Howest, showcasing teamwork and creative experimentation.