Garfield Kart 2 Stress Test Delivers Drifting and Midair Tricks — Liz Is Surprisingly Fast

Garfield Kart 2: All You Can Drift ran a public stress test on Steam through Aug. 24, and the build shows a focused kart racer with a few modern additions. The test was published by Microids and developed by Eden Games. Meanwhile, Hollow Knight: Silksong is scheduled for Sept. 4, and Garfield Kart 2 is currently listed for a Sept. 10 launch; however, the stress test provides a concrete look at what players will find before release.

- Stress test window and platform: Steam through Aug. 24.

Developer and publisher: Eden Games and Microids.
Playable characters in the test: Garfield, Nermal, and Liz.
Core features shown: three-lap races, items, drifting, midair tricks, and basic kart customization.
Tracks in the test: a neon-lit city level and a Spaghetti Western level.
Links: official Steam page and an included gameplay video.

What the stress test included

The stress test offered online races with a small selection of characters and tracks. Players could select Garfield, Nermal, or Liz during the weekend test. In addition, the build included basic kart customization options and item pickups that affect opponents and speed.

Tracks and modes

The test featured two tracks: a neon-lit city circuit and a Spaghetti Western-themed course. Both tracks are designed with drifting and shortcut opportunities in mind. For example, the city track includes rooftop sections with tight turns, while the Western track has narrow town streets and a final stretch suitable for high-speed weaving.

Race structure

All races in the stress test used a standard three-lap format. There were no arena or objective-based modes in this build; instead, the focus stayed on traditional lap racing. Consequently, players experienced straightforward races without lap abandonment mechanics.

Controls, drifting, and tricks

Drifting was added to the game’s control scheme in the stress test. By holding the right trigger while cornering, drivers can enter a drift state. Furthermore, the build allowed midair tricks by pressing the drift button while airborne. These additions aim to increase mobility and provide route optimization.

Collision behavior remained strict: hitting another kart can stop a player briefly. Therefore, defensive play and precise drifting were important for maintaining speed during the test runs.

Customization and progression

The stress test included basic kart customization, letting players change certain parts or visuals. Although customization options in this build were limited, they were more substantial than a simple costume swap, and they affected vehicle performance to some degree.