Nightmare Kart developed by LWMedia, is known for a similarly styled demake that retains the third-person action of its inspiration, Bloodborne. This free-to-play racer is a must-play for Kart racing and Bloodborne fans, blending fast-paced racing, combat, and dark fantasy perfectly with charming visuals and fun gameplay.
Believe it or not, this is a fan-made game and even used to be called Bloodborne Kart, but after catching Sony’s attention, the dev had to eventually drop the Bloodborne branding. Nonetheless, that didn’t hamper its gameplay experience. So if you are ready to go bone-crushing fast in this dark retro racer then here are some great beginner tips for Nightmare Kart to help you get started.
Make Sure You Learn Every Single Track
Nightmare Kart offers a variety of game modes, including campaign, free play, and multiplayer. It features fifteen tracks, each with a unique design and set of challenges. You should explore and practice each one of them to reduce your lap time.
Before diving into multiplayer, get comfortable with the maps and controls in single-player mode. The controls are also quite easy to grasp. There’s not much to them like W for acceleration and S/D to steer, unless you’re using a controller.
How To Connect Controller In Nightmare Kart
If your controller is plugged in but the controls aren’t working, follow these steps in your Steam library:
- Right-click on ‘Nightmare Kart’.
- Select ‘Properties.’
- Click on the ‘Controller‘ tab.
- Change the setting from ‘Use default settings’ to ‘Enable Steam Input.’
Maximize Collecting The Aether Vials
Aether Vials are a key component in Nightmare Kart. Aether gives you a boost, but it’s temporary, so you need to perform a few movements while racing. These can include drifting and air tricks.
Also, you should note that the more aether you build, the longer your speed boost will last unless you accidentally launch yourself into a wall. As a beginner, getting more aether vials quickly can help you secure a lead in every match.
Perform As Many Tricks As You Can
Drifting is mainly about managing the speed and angle of your kart as you go in and out of corners. Slow down, press space, turn, and then accelerate to drift. The same goes for tricks.
The best way to perform tricks is by pressing the space button at the right time when you jump your kart through ramps. Doing these not only allow you to overtake your opponents but also gain speed boost and aether vials.
Don’t Miss The Green Orbs
Apart from the different game modes, Nightmare Kart also features various power-up Orbs that spawn across the track. These Orbs are of different types and each of them will grant you new weapon and item boosts, some of which include:
| Weapon/Item | Description | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Lever-Action Shotgun | Fires a spread of pellets. | Damages and disrupts opponents in front of you. |
| Blood Vial | A vial filled with a mysterious red liquid. | Creates a slowing zone behind the user that slows down other racers. |
| Cursed Coin | A malevolent coin with a haunting visage. | When thrown, it explodes in a cloud of dark energy, paralyzing the first opponent it hits. |
| Darkness Bomb | A small, ominous bomb. | Explodes in a burst of darkness, temporarily obscuring everyone’s vision. |
| Soul Reaper | A spectral scythe | Launches a deadly projectile that instantly knocks out the first opponent it hits. |
Be Sure To Take Down Enemies
Various enemies and bosses spawn across the tracts of Nightmare Kart. When you kill them, they will drop blood droplets which will increase your speed. You need to pass over the blood droplets to collect them, so make sure you don’t miss them.
Try to defeat as many enemies as possible to ensure that you get the most blood droplets. The best way to do it is by quickly and effectively using your weapons and abilities.
Be Sure To Shortcuts From Broken Paths
The tracks are filled with hidden shortcuts, these include narrow passages, take-off ramps, and even secret tunnels! You need to keep a lookout when on the main track to learn where shortcuts are.
This may be difficult to spot at first but when you get them right, they can significantly reduce your lap time by seconds. But generally, you should keep a look out for:
- Breaks in rails or fences.
- Hidden pathways that seem out of place.
- Ramps that might launch you over a section.
Always Select The Best Racer
When choosing a racer in Nightmare Kart, you should try to select a character who best matches your preferred style of racing (aggressive, defensive, etc.) and also consider the special abilities that each of the 21 racers can have.
These abilities can be unlocked by going further in the game’s single-player campaign, beating bosses, or completing certain tasks. For example, Miralodia, you can unlock her by achieving the top goal and reaching 40 insights.
If you want to gain insight, you need to progress the Story Mode by defeating the Final Boss by finding Moon Shards.
Top Five Racer Choices for Beginners
| Racer | Reason |
|---|---|
| Hunter | A versatile racer with a balance of speed and handling. Great for beginners. |
| Herman | Good balance of speed and handling. A solid choice for beginners. |
| Onnete | High speed and decent handling. Good for those who prefer a fast-paced racing style. |
| Dream Watchers | Unique racing style with some having high speed and others good handling. Good for those who want to experiment. |
| Bunlith (Secret) | High speed and decent handling. Good for those who prefer a fast-paced racing style. Unlocked by completing Level 4. |
Choose A Kart That Matches Your Play Style
There are multiple Karts you can choose from in Nightmare Kart. While not all of them are great, some of them are significantly better than the other. So, here’s a breakdown of some karts with their pros and cons, which are the top picks for beginners:
| Kart | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Motorcycle | Excellent Handling, Great for Drifting | Lower Top Speed compared to some |
| Baby Carnagey | Balanced Speed and Control | Might not excel in any specific area |
| Cowfeather Motorcycle | High Acceleration, Powerful Boost | Maybe trickier to handle at high speeds |
| Bird Cage | High Durability, Good for Defense | Lower Top Speed and Acceleration |
| Motorized Wheelchair | Fast and good for Handling | Small in size |
