Spanish-Brazilian indie developer RetroReactor has lifted the lid on its debut project, Rebels of the Solar Speedway, a turn-based combat racing roguelike with an obvious love of Hot Wheels-style spectacle, set against a sci-fi backdrop. The game is currently targeting a 2027 release on PC via Steam, with closed beta testing expected to begin in the coming weeks.
The story is set in a future where humanity has spread across the solar system but lost something vital along the way. Earth is ruled by the Church of the Sacred Circuit, a techno-religious regime based on fear and surveillance, while three ruthless MegaCorps, Ares Defense, Helios Genera and Ceres Sustenance, tighten their grip on the galaxy at large. A resistance group known as the Outer Rim Independence Collective is waging a silent war against this oppression, but quiet is no longer enough. The plan now is to take the fight to Solar Speedway, a high-stakes combat racing arena secretly funded by MegaCorps to distract the population. Win there and the revolution ignites.
The gameplay places players in the role of mission control rather than that of a single pilot. You manage a full team of drivers in turn-based races, with each turn divided into an action phase and a resolution phase. In the action phase, you position your cars, take into account the range and strength of your weapons, and try to anticipate what your opponents will do. The attacks are then resolved during the resolution phase, going from last to first. Between races, there’s a team management layer to manage, covering repairs, ammo, and a catalog of over 30 weapons and 90 mods that can be equipped on your cars. One of the most striking mechanisms is a stock system directly linked to MegaCorps. Killing an enemy champion could bankrupt a company, but using its weapons could inadvertently raise its stock price. Since in-game items are valued against these stocks, the economy becomes as much of a battlefield as the track itself.
There is also a political dimension to manage. MegaCorps will attempt to recruit players to their cause mid-campaign, and leaning too far on this arrangement risks losing the Collective’s trust entirely. It’s a balancing act that plays out throughout the roguelike structure, unlocking new cars, weapons, enemy teams, and completely different teams of players as you progress. RetroReactor promises over 10 unlockable player teams, over 30 enemy teams, over 15 cars, and over 18 tracks spread across three cups, all connected via a Galaxy map that charts a course from Earth to the Solar Speedway itself.
Rebels of the Solar Speedway is shaping up to be an ambitious mix of genres, and the closed beta will be the first real test of whether these moving parts click into place. Players interested in securing a spot can join the RetroReactor Discord server. The game is expected to launch on PC via Steam in 2027, and you can preview it right now on the Steam page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rebels of the Solar Speedway?
Rebels of the Solar Speedway is a Hot Wheels-inspired turn-based combat racing roguelike set in a sci-fi universe spanning the solar system. It is developed by the independent Spanish-Brazilian studio RetroReactor.
When is Rebels of the Solar Speedway released?
Rebels of the Solar Speedway is expected to launch in 2027. A closed beta is expected to start in the coming weeks before that release.
What platforms is Rebels of the Solar Speedway available on?
The game is currently announced for PC via Steam. No console release has been confirmed at this point.
Is Rebels of the Solar Speedway a roguelike?
Yes. Each playthrough unlocks new content, including entirely new cars, weapons, enemy teams, and player teams that change the way subsequent races play out from the start.
How do the fights work in Rebels of the Solar Speedway?
Combat takes place turn-based, with each turn divided into an action phase and a resolution phase. Players position their cars, select their weapons, and plan enemy movements, with attacks resolving in order from last place to first.
