SEGA begins closed network test for Crazy Taxi: World Tour

SEGA has launched a closed network test for 'Crazy Taxi: World Tour', a new installment in the classic driving action series. Helmed by original creator Kenji Kanno, the game features a story-driven campaign where players control the protagonist, Axel, on an international adventure to recover his stolen taxi from masked villains.

The upcoming title aims to blend nostalgia with modern gameplay, including the inclusion of real-life regional retailers within its global maps. For example, the West Coast map is set to feature brands such as IHOP and Amoeba Music.

During the recent network test, new online multiplayer modes were showcased, including 'Pickup Race', where players compete to drop off customers, and 'Cops'n Cabbies', which pits police patrol cars against taxi drivers. The gameplay incorporates mechanics such as a nitro gauge used for both speed boosts and ramming opponents to daze them.