Following the Art of Rally Over the Hill's greatest success is finding a way to become a driving game that asks you to take it slow.

I had almost forgotten that the previous version of Over the Hill, Art of Rally, was a racing game. But this is not in a minor sense. It's just that for all the happy hours I spent in it, I don't remember playing a single match. Instead, it was the aimless meanderings, the relaxing rhythms of exploration and surprise collectible hunting in free-roam mode that blew me away. So this fact over the hill completely thing

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I had almost forgotten that the previous version of Over the Hill, Art of Rally, was a racing game. But this is not in a minor sense. It's just that for all the happy hours I spent in it, I don't remember playing a single match. Instead, it was the aimless meanderings, the relaxing rhythms of exploration and surprise collectible hunting in free-roam mode that blew me away. So the fact that Over the Hill ditches the racing stuff entirely and leans squarely on the meditation side - even starting with a golden Buddha statue that takes you through the basics and probably tells you everything you need to know - is just my type.

Availability: Out now for PC (via Steam) and Xbox Series X/S

Over the hill it feels very much like Art of Rally's freestyle mode. Here, the focus is on unhurried off-road exploration of wide open stretches of stylish, brightly colored wilderness. And its minimalistic roaming vibe, its non-intrusive structure, definitely leans towards 'cool'. That said, if you're the type of person who wants clear direction and goals, or you're looking for fast-paced racing thrills, I don't think this adventure is for you. But if, like me, you're a sandbox explorer, the Maze Curiosity Hopper offers the peace-seekers of the world their own kind of driving thrill.

And of course it starts with some wheels. Originally attached to a 4×4 "stalk" vehicle, the handling is about as far from "spritely" as you can get. As the Buddha bestows his off-road wisdom, you'll awkwardly bounce over rocks, slog up hills, and slide your way through neutral mud in the most awkward position, shifting between low and high gears for better traction depending on the ever-challenging terrain. Even hours later, with a few new vehicles and upgrades to your name, the pace remains slow and cautious as you traverse the rolling forests of Canada's Valhallas or the rock-strewn desert of Algeria - you'll quickly learn that caution is almost always the best course of action, unless you enjoy dragging yourself out of a 65-point jungle.

So it's a game for the patient soul, but if you can adjust to Over the Hill's unhurried (some might even say glacial) rhythms, it's a lovely world that provides a soothing accompaniment to shimmering guitars and soft harmonics to keep you always on your way to your next elusive goal. Developer Funselektor shapes its gameplay with the lightest of touches, filling its charming open-world maps with cryptic question marks—potential focus points for your meandering—and unlockable camps that serve as fast travel points. Here, you can also extend the time if you want to escape the rain and whipping sandstorms, or if you want to take a hair-raising night hike, or simply want to watch the sunrise at dawn.

As for those question marks, sometimes when you get to them it's nothing more than an abandoned box containing a silly accessory - maybe a themed car antenna or a kayak you can stick on your roof for a bit of wilderness fun (and if you're a multiplayer wanderlust, set yourself apart from your friends). At other times, you'll launch a sequence of chosen routes, tempting you through treacherous terrain—carefully scaling narrow cliffs around the perimeter of a crystalline lake, for example—to ensure your reward at the end. Sometimes you'll find an abandoned truck that you need to tow to your home base, or maybe you'll just come across a beautiful sight.

But really, these are just excuses. Cheats that keep you moving and exploring the world. And actually, I think it's more fun to forget about the map entirely and just let your whimsy guide you across the beguiling terrain, adjusting your course if the tell-tale smoke of a new mystery enters the frame. Because it's really about the journey here. Every inch of the wilderness of Over the Hill has its own mystery, every curve of the landscape threatening minor disappointments, where small victories can be won as you chart the most profitable path in real time. A meandering, gentle riverside trail waits to suck you into the mud, for example, through a bevy of rocks that can trip you up if you rush through it.

You gradually realize that Over the Hill is not so shapeless and its maps are as chaotic as they first seem. You'll take a winding route to a tempting stop, only for it to remain tantalizingly out of reach unless you can puzzle your way through treacherous canyons and across the rugged bridge that offers the final passage. And Over the Hill's minimalist progression builds on that: some landmarks aren't properly accessible until you've earned enough points—by exploring the map—to upgrade your vehicle. So you are always walking in the untamed wilderness.

As you do, the sun rises and sets in the starlight. Rain dapples the landscape before the clouds part again into a clear blue sky. There is also wildlife - foxes, deer, owls, camels, bears and more - so why not slow down and take a few photos for your recap? In fact, it seems that over the hill, why go fast at all when you can relax, breathe and simply put it all in?

Art of Rally Over the Hill Studios is getting an alpha playtest this month and a fancy new trailer with some new footage.

The Art of Rally developer showcases the cozy off-road co-op experience over the hill

Matt Wells is an editor at Eurogamer and a founding member of the Birdo for President of Everything community.