We recently had the opportunity to chat to Kevin Maitreheu, producer at Neko Entertainment, regarding their forthcoming release, Heracles Chariot Racing.

Please could you tell our readers a little bit about the new game Heracles Chariot Racing, and what your involvement was in making it?

Hello, my name is Kevin Maitreheu and I’m a producer at Neko Entertainment. Heracles Chariot Racing is a fast-paced, action-laden racing game, set in the fantastic age of Greek Mythology.

Where did the idea come from, to make a racing game with Chariots?

Historically, chariot races were no hold barred contests, where racers could use any means to slow down or stop their opponents; they were the original action-racer! It’s actually quite surprising that nobody thought of it before.

There are 10 tracks in five settings. How did you imagine up the surroundings, or was there research involved to make it realistic?

The settings are based on famous places taken from Heracles legend – you can race on Mount Olympus and meet Cerberus in Hades.

It seems to be a good laugh, as opposed to a conventional racer. Is that the whole point?

Yes,  it’s not a game where you have to find the perfect trajectory to win, it’s a game where you take the first place by using fireballs and lightning bolts to blast your opponents (and/or friends in multiplayer).

Who would enjoy playing this game the most?

Heracles Chariot Racing is meant for everybody. Between the multiplayer modes, and the different cups, anybody can enjoy the game, young kids as well as hardcore gamers.

What kind of reply value does Heracles Chariot Racing offer?

You have three cups to compete in, and the last races will pose quite a challenge, even to experienced players. Of course, there are the two multiplayer modes: a Race Mode, in which you race against your friends while slowing them down with the bonuses and powers you pick up, and a Battle Mode, in which you and your friends face each other, throwing fireballs and lightning bolts and using all sorts of godly powers until there is only one left standing.

What puts this above other fun racing games out there at the moment?

First, the setting – it’s not every day that you can play the son of Zeus riding a thundering chariot, racing against Poseidon. Also, we played to the classics of the genre (such as Mario Kart, Diddy Kong Racing, etc), extracted what we felt were the best parts, combined them and added our own touch to create Heracles Chariot Racing.

How long did it take to develop this game?

The game took eight months to develop, with a team of 15 persons.

What kind of challenges will players face when racing through the courses?

The players should be careful, because the danger comes not only from their opponents, but also from the tracks, which are full of obstacles, traps and other surprises. But there are also secret shortcuts that the players can find if they are attentive.

What is your favourite track and character, and why?

My favourite track is in Hades, because you meet Cerberus and … well, I don’t want to spoil the surprise. My favourite character is Minotaur, because  a giant carnivorous half-man half-bull is as awe-inspiring as it is terrifying.

Here are some screenshots for you to enjoy. Please click on the thumbnails to see larger size.

Thanks to Kevin for taking time to chat to us.  Heracles Chariot Racing will be available to download from WiiWare on Friday 24th July.