The Long-Awaited Return of Crazy Taxi
After a 24‑year hiatus, Sega announced the revival of Crazy Taxi at The Game Awards 2023. The news sparked both excitement and worry, especially after early rumors of Fortnite‑style live‑service mechanics and the use of generative AI in development. The original game was delisted, adding to the controversy.
To address fan concerns, I played the upcoming title at Gamescom and spoke with its creator, World Tour director Kenji Kanno. Kanno said the timing felt perfect and expressed genuine excitement, hoping the new game will bring smiles to players.
Evolving the Formula While Keeping Everyone Happy
Crazy Taxi will not be a straightforward remake. It features a single‑player campaign mode that lets players enjoy the story, and a multiplayer mode for competitive racing. Kanno emphasized that the game includes enough content for all play styles, and he does not expect everyone to shift to multiplayer.
The soundtrack, a hallmark of the original, will retain its punk‑rock roots, with The Offspring and Bad Religion confirmed. A surprise addition to the music is promised, though details remain under wraps.
Replacing the classic Crazy Box challenges, the new game introduces missions scattered across an open world. These missions are more intense fare tasks, such as transporting a passenger from a castle to an airport and watching them board a moving plane. Kanno said they were designed with a playful mind and fit into the broader story.
Despite concerns about live‑service elements and AI use, the hands‑on session showed that the core gameplay feels faithful to the original while offering fresh experiences. As a longtime fan, I feel confident that Sega has crafted a winning formula for Crazy Taxi: World Tour.
