This was definitely a kart racer. The story mode is charming and there are definitely vibes to be had in terms of the games overall aesthetic, but the gameplay is just kinda eh. Not bad, but not great either. The items work kinda like lego racers in that you have to roll over the same item over and over again to level it up, but theres also these "skills" you can equip that give you a perk over a period of time, and one of those is an item steal, so if any opponents have that skill theres no way you are ever going to be able to level any item up to its maximum. The racing controls are also really slippery in a way, and drifting feels really weird, like toggling on and off drift mode by holding down the button. If you like final fantasy and kart racers then like theres plenty of worth in playin this, but otherwise its basically the same as any other kart racer