Spanish-Brazilian independent developer RetroReactor has announced Rebels of the Solar Speedway, a turn-based combat racing roguelike inspired by Hot Wheels and set across a dystopian version of the solar system. The game is scheduled to launch on PC via Steam in 2027, with a closed beta expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Players interested in the beta can join the game's Discord community, while review codes are also available through the developer.
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A Racing Revolution in Space
Rebels of the Solar Speedway takes place after humanity has expanded across the solar system. Earth is controlled by the Church of the Holy Circuit, a techno-religious regime that uses surveillance and fear to maintain its authority. Meanwhile, three MegaCorps - Ares Defense, Helios Genera, and Ceres Sustenance - control much of the galaxy's industry and resources.
The Outer Rim Independence Collective has spent years fighting against Earth's ruling powers. However, the resistance needs a way to bring its cause into the public eye.
That opportunity comes through the Solar Speedway's Battle Races. The races are presented as entertainment for the masses and are secretly supported by the MegaCorps, but the resistance intends to use the competition to challenge corporate champions, damage their businesses, and encourage a wider uprising.
Players take on the role of mission control rather than directly piloting a single vehicle. The game provides a full view of each track, allowing players to manage a team of racers and make strategic decisions during each race.
Turn-Based Combat Racing
The core gameplay combines racing with turn-based combat. Each turn is divided into an Action Phase and a Resolution Phase.
During the Action Phase, players determine how their cars will move and which systems they will use. Positioning is an important part of the system, as movement can be used to avoid incoming attacks while also placing vehicles within range of their own weapons.
Attacks are then resolved during the Resolution Phase, beginning with the racer in last place and moving toward first place. This system means that players need to consider not only their own actions but also how other racers may respond.
The game features multiple weapons and car systems, with positioning, weapon range, strength, and ripple effects all contributing to the outcome of a race.
Cars, Weapons and Team Management
Between races, players will manage their team and available resources. Cars can be repaired, while ammunition and movement systems can be replenished before the next event.
The game includes more than 15 cars, each with different statistics and systems. More than 30 weapons can be equipped, while over 90 weapon modules provide additional ways to modify how those weapons operate.
These modules can improve existing weapons or significantly change their functionality, giving players different approaches to combat and racing.
The long-term objective is to build a team capable of reaching the legendary Solar Speedway Race.
The Stock Market Affects the Races
One of the more unusual systems in Rebels of the Solar Speedway is its stock market. The MegaCorps and Cyber Church have financial interests in the racing circuit, meaning events on the tracks can influence their stock values.
Players can damage a corporation's position by eliminating its champions, while using a corporation's weapons can potentially benefit it instead.
The stock system also functions as an in-game economy. Item values are linked to stock evaluations, meaning changes in the market can affect the resources available to the player's team.
This creates an additional layer of strategy outside the races, as players must consider how their decisions affect both their opponents and the wider economy.
Playing Both Sides
The MegaCorps can also attempt to recruit the player's team. Players can accept these opportunities and use the corporations' interests to their advantage, but pushing the double game too far can have consequences.
The Outer Rim Independence Collective can also turn against the player, creating a risk-reward system around the relationships between the different factions.
This gives the campaign another strategic layer beyond simply winning races, with players required to manage their position between the corporations and the resistance.
Roguelite Progression
Rebels of the Solar Speedway uses roguelite progression, with new content becoming available as players advance through their runs.
The game features more than 10 unlockable player teams and over 30 different enemy teams. Each player team can change how a run is approached, while different cars, weapons, and modules provide further combinations.
The campaign includes 18 tracks divided across three cups, alongside random events and a galaxy map that takes players from Earth toward the Solar Speedway.
According to RetroReactor, the current planned content includes:
- More than 10 unlockable player teams
- More than 30 enemy teams
- More than 15 cars with different stats and systems
- More than 30 weapons
- More than 90 weapon modules
- 18 tracks across three cups
- Random events
- A galaxy map spanning Earth to the Solar Speedway
Rebels of the Solar Speedway is currently planned for PC via Steam in 2027. The closed beta is expected to begin in the coming weeks, giving interested players an opportunity to participate ahead of launch.
RetroReactor Games was founded by Danilo Barbosa in 2015, originally in Brazil before relocating to Spain. The studio's previous work includes Two Strikes, which follows its focus on combining retro game influences, cinematic presentation, and arcade-style gameplay.
