70
The complete lack of boundaries means it's a totally unique challenge, in which standard racing skills often need to be thrown out of the window. Despite this, with such exciting technology at its core, we can't help but hope that Asobo gets another roll of the dice to create something truly, and consistently astonishing. [June 2009, p.84]
55
When that ambition fails to live up to its promise by delivering a hollow and disappointing experience, you can't help but feel somewhat nonplussed by the final product. This should have been incredible, but having tried our very best to like Codemasters' latest racing IP, we can't help but feel like we've been taken for a ride. Fuel-ed, if you will.
70
Fuel is without a doubt a complete game, that thanks to the numerous unlockable areas, cars, challenges and so on, reaches an enviable longevity. Unfortunately the gameplay lacks all the functionality typical of the competition, and there are some techincal issues that ruin the overall score. Fuel is a game for all arcade-off-road racing games, but beware as you won't find the dynamism of Motorstorm nor the attention to detail of Pure, but a different game, with good free-roaming gameplay.
8
Fuel is a sort of precursor to Forza Horizon, standing out for the wide variety of vehicles, landscapes, and race types it offers. Without a doubt, a hidden gem of the PS3/Xbox 360 era. My rating: ****
9
There are three words that sum up this game and make it splendid; fun, scale, and variety. Unlike some racers where you are limited/constricted to one track/arena/environment, this is a rare, free-roaming racer, with a massive map you can use for career progression or exploration (to find hidden areas, pick up items, complete challenges, etc). The graphics really stand out on HDTVs, and arevery photo-realistic. Although you cant pull off major stunts,there are many occasions when you hold your breath by whatever is happening on screen. There are often times where you get an arrow to guide you everywhere around the track whilst racing. The music is generally good, although ideally something akin to the tracks of Nail'd would have been better.
7
This game is a well made video game. The huge barren map makes fora unique atmosphere that isn't replicated by any other racing game ever, with a sense of scale matched only by The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild which came out a whole 8 years later. While the game does have slippery car physics, **** AI and iffy checkpoint detection (particularly in circuit races), it is afun, satisfying romp through post-apocalyptic America with an almost eerie atmosphere. Besides, this game is so **** difficult to get your hands on in the first place that you better friggin enjoy it.
Fuel (2009)
Released On:
Jun 2, 2009
Metascore
Mixed or Average
66
User score
Mixed or Average
7.0
My Score
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Metascore
Mixed or Average
27% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
64% Mixed
29 Reviews
29 Reviews
9% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
95
You want Bikes, ATVs, Muscle Cars, SUVs, Buggies, Trucks…they’re all in here, along with every conceivable type of race set across thousands of miles of populated ultra-realistic topography, complete with dynamic weather. And it all looks and plays spectacularly. Unless you’re looking for an authentic hard core sim, there’s no reason you shouldn’t leave right now, and even if you are, a little FUEL might just change your mind.
77
This Asobo Studios game is a good entry in the racing genre, although some aspects, specially the audiovisual part, could have been better.
User score
Mixed or Average
50% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
39% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
11% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
May 22, 2025
9
There are three words that sum up this game and make it splendid; fun, scale, and variety. Unlike some racers where you are limited/constricted to one track/arena/environment, this is a rare, free-roaming racer, with a massive map you can use for career progression or exploration (to find hidden areas, pick up items, complete challenges, etc). The graphics really stand out on HDTVs, and arevery photo-realistic. Although you cant pull off major stunts,there are many occasions when you hold your breath by whatever is happening on screen. There are often times where you get an arrow to guide you everywhere around the track whilst racing. The music is generally good, although ideally something akin to the tracks of Nail'd would have been better.
Feb 18, 2011
9
Honestly I sold this game back to the store before buying it again,starting from a different perspective and now loving every minute of **** I was comparing it to Code masters other titles like Dirt and Grid and I wasn't **** you play it for what it is then you will find that nothing and no game is like **** is mentioned in 3 guinness world records,gamers edition and now I see **** to this review I have put in around 90 hours into this game and it's great.I am knocking 5 points off because of the amount of time it was in production and it still has small problems,but all in all another amazing title by Code masters!!95%
71
FUEL has a ton of potential, and moments of brilliance stashed under its rough exterior. The problems are hard to ignore though, and unless you have a ton of time to dedicate to it, the races will likely grow boring long before you uncover half of this massive world.
70
Fuel scores marks for its awesome, appropriately used open world but loses them for the lamely executed driving mechanics and offensively common load screens.
60
Only frantic devotees of racing games/loading screens could justify this over the competition. [July 2009, p.115]
50
FUEL is Codemasters’ and Asobo Studio’s post-apocalyptic sandbox racer. The immense game world, replete with a dynamic weather engine, is a stunning achievement. But FUEL appears to forget it’s a racer and consequently loses sight of what counts.
40
Flawed racer which finds little of interest in its massive open world - least of all the race cars.
Sep 21, 2025
8
Fuel is a sort of precursor to Forza Horizon, standing out for the wide variety of vehicles, landscapes, and race types it offers. Without a doubt, a hidden gem of the PS3/Xbox 360 era. My rating: ****
Feb 18, 2011
8
i thought this game was really good with some floors. the post apocalyptic landscape could of been better like ruined city or something different to what it is. the racing is the best thing about this game even tho in the racing you need to get the checkpoints as well as first place to win it but that aside the races r frantic and intense. i enjoyed the fact you can free ride it was my favorite thing to do on the game was great when i just didn't want to do a race. the fact it changes from day to night is a nice touch along with the weather effects
Nov 26, 2024
7
This game is a well made video game. The huge barren map makes fora unique atmosphere that isn't replicated by any other racing game ever, with a sense of scale matched only by The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild which came out a whole 8 years later. While the game does have slippery car physics, **** AI and iffy checkpoint detection (particularly in circuit races), it is afun, satisfying romp through post-apocalyptic America with an almost eerie atmosphere. Besides, this game is so **** difficult to get your hands on in the first place that you better friggin enjoy it.
Aug 5, 2016
6
Fuel is a pretty,but bland racer. Fuel main standout is it's huge map,but this is also it's biggest flaw,as there is literally ZERO point to exploration,except for finding and driving to **** driving inbetween events is just boring. The vehicles are varied,from ATV's and buggies to muscle cars to big trucks,so there is something for almost everyone.They all handle decently,apart from the buggies The game has nice music,and decent engine noises,but storm sound effects are incredible. The game looks beautiful,for such a big map,plus the use of dynamic weather,results in a Fuel being a fantastic technical achievement. It's just a shame the game is so boring,as it had everyting needed to be good,except for fun.Pick it up on the cheap to take a look,but don't be looking for something revolutionary.
SummaryGet fuelled up and prepare to race and explore the world's largest ever racing environment - over 5,000 square miles of spectacular wilderness. Set to revolutionise multi-terrain, multi-vehicle racing, FUEL is a fiercely competitive game without boundaries. On and off-road, two and four-wheeled vehicles race a massively diverse environme... Read More
Rated Efor Everyone
Platforms:
- PlayStation 3
- Xbox 360
- PC
Initial Release Date:Jun 2, 2009
Developer:
Publisher:
