Is the latest installment in the beloved franchise, set to launch on August 29?th Across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, change, and PC platforms. This year’s edition shines a spotlight on its engaging single-player Showdown mode, where players can experience various event types, develop their skills, and unlock new trucks. There isn’t much substance to this marketing campaign approach beyond experimenting with various scenarios. As a result, much of my pleasure stemmed from the realistic physics within the game’s driving model.
Before exploring the limited playstyles on offer, it’s essential to dissect the fundamental driving mechanics and fully grasp the nuances of the controls. One aspect of the sport that I genuinely enjoy experiencing. Eight-ton behemoths operate in tandem, their four sets of wheels controlled independently through dual-steering systems featuring distinct thumbsticks for each set. The correct thumbstick controls the rear wheels, ideal for precision 180-degree turns and controlled drifting maneuvers. As you manipulate each thumbstick, a subtle yet precise adjustment is made to your character’s movement. Your truck starts spinning around in a perfect circle, earning you valuable style points as a bonus. One of the standout features of the sport is its adaptability, courtesy of the dual-steering controls, which grant you unparalleled freedom to manipulate the unbiased units of wheels.
The success of twin steering controls in ‘ is largely attributed to the sport’s inherent and thrilling physics, which consistently deliver spectacular experiences. These vehicles genuinely struggle with the weight of their massive 12,000-kilogram presence. As the weighty machines come to a halt, you sense the immense energy dissipate, their massive frames surrendering to exhaustion as they slump from a precarious balance or crash to the ground in a heap. One of the most impressive aspects of modern transportation is the ability to seamlessly maneuver vehicles in various directions, resulting in a predictable response that aligns with our expectations. As I revel in the sheer exhilaration of cycling furiously, the truck’s tires screech in protest as it careens wildly out of control.
“The physics allows for a wide range of motion, both on the ground and in the air.”
Despite their appeal, it’s crucial to exercise caution when operating these vehicles to avoid damaging them. offers a reasonably robust injury simulator for vehicles and surrounding environmental props. As the panels are painstakingly removed from the truck’s rugged physique, it gradually transforms into a vulnerable carriage, precariously perched atop massive wheels, careening wildly through life. Despite being a mere aesthetic, the injury’s lack of impact means there’s no performance deduction to worry about, even if you’re forced to spend extra time repairing your vehicle and regaining momentum after an accident.
As you attempt various stunts in the sport, you’ll frequently encounter its injury model, showcasing realistic depictions of physical harm. Stunt driving relies on a deep understanding of physics to deliberately manipulate the trajectory of the vehicle, executing precise tilts and flips with precision and control. If you’ve played the video games, the instinctive familiarity of holding down the management stick while performing a backflip, only to straighten out the car on landing becomes palpable. As I expertly guide the truck through a series of daring aerial stunts, I’m struck by the seamless fluidity of its movement, effortlessly rotating and orienting as if defying gravity itself; meanwhile, the cargo, though substantial in size, remains surprisingly sturdy, its bulk somehow magically counterbalanced to avoid any hint of flimsiness.
Now I do take into consideration the driving physics to lean extra far to the right in a simcade manner rather than arcade. Despite efforts to gain momentum, these vehicles are struggling to find significant traction. Every corner necessitates an early adjustment before navigating the turn. After which, it’s crucial to exercise restraint when opening the throttle while cornering, as the immense power of these massive vehicles can cause them to slip and drift away from your intended path all too frequently. While familiarity with rally racing games may help you grasp the driving mechanics, don’t expect it to be a straightforward experience, as the game’s complexity exceeds what’s typically found in traditional arcade-style racers. The substantial heft of these eight-ton machines demands a certain tenacity to become accustomed to their imposing physicality.
As drivers navigate twisting roads, precise control of acceleration becomes crucial to avoid veering out of bounds.
Once you’re familiar with the mannerisms of a particular truck, you’ve essentially mastered the nuances of every truck on the road. Every truck I’ve driven so far bears a resemblance to at least one other model. Despite dedicating a significant 30 minutes to thoroughly examining each truck’s distinct characteristics, I was left disappointed – it seemed that all trucks ultimately share similar attributes when it comes to flipping, accelerating, and distributing their weight, rendering any discernible differences inconsequential. The sense of disappointment that settled in was overwhelming. The undeniable allure of monster truck video games lies in their impressive array of distinctive and expertly designed vehicles, boasting one-of-a-kind styles that set each apart from the rest. The two characters, Gravedigger and Zombie, exhibit distinct personas, with Gravedigger’s imposing presence exuding a sense of foreboding, contrasting sharply with the lighthearted, playful essence Zombie brings to the table. They drive identical models, rendering moot any consideration about choosing one particular truck over another. The shared exhaust system of individual trucks leaves a collectively unimpressive auditory experience. Each truck’s distinct sound profile – whether it’s a rumbling V6 or a mighty V8 – belies any notion that all trucks sound alike in reality.
The main attractions are the engaging web-based multiplayer matches and the exciting single-player Showdown mode. Players can engage in multiple online matches for up to eight participants and also schedule events. If you happen to play fairly with others regionally, there are also split-screen two-player matches you can enjoy. Approximately 10 distinct activities will engage you throughout your experience in these modes. Ranging from standard circuit racing to head-to-head competitions, fine-tuned stunts, and the crowd-pleasing freestyle event, the latter offers riders unbridled freedom to execute their most daring aerial stunts within a spacious outdoor arena. Little surprises are expected given the context of preceding game titles. It’s unusual that you can’t select a match type from a menu; instead, players must participate in multiplayer or Showdown mode to access these options.
The three main regions within Monster Jam Showdown feature multiple zones to explore.
The centerpiece of this game’s appeal lies in its extensive single-player experience, which unfortunately falls short of expectations due to several factors that left me somewhat unimpressed. While the region boasts three unique ecological zones, they sadly lack ample trails and defined arenas within each area. While Demise Valley, Colorado, and Alaska boast unique landscapes and captivating vistas, they fall short in offering a diverse range of programming opportunities. You are typically participating in the same routine with a different game type. Despite progress in Showdown being unremarkable, it essentially boils down to earning badges tied to your position in the match and eventually facing off against a formidable “boss battle” monster truck once you’ve accumulated enough. As you advance and level up your truck, you gain access to new zones within each of the three primary areas, accompanied by the acquisition of fresh vehicles along the journey.
I’m not expecting Showdown to deliver a rich narrative either, but I do want it to inject some more excitement into the story for me to stay engaged. Currently, my sole motivation for playing Showdown stems from its being the sole means by which I can familiarize myself with the game’s tracks outside of the online platform available. With progress in Showdown and exploration of multiplayer options exhausted, minimal additional activities remain. Although the game features a Storage menu for customizing vehicles and applying pre-made liveries, the upgrade system feels limited and underdeveloped in its binary nature. By simply pressing a button, the truck’s mechanical performance is instantaneously enhanced, requiring no specific individual statistics or technical specifications to consider.
The final blow to one’s expectations regarding professional expertise lies in the cringe-worthy, unoriginal soundtrack that permeates every moment. The limited selection of musical tracks is underwhelming, with each song blending together in a cacophony of monotony due to relentless percussion patterns and a lackluster overall tone that fails to elevate any of them. You may always just turn off the music and enjoy the sounds of the engines; however, since each truck sounds identical, there’s little point in doing so anyway. Like a generic soundtrack, the menu design meekly emulates the tropes of various hospitality-themed video games. The trend of graffiti-inspired ribbons is straining my patience at this point, especially when executed as poorly as it is in this game.
Tracks occasionally intersect and repeat their path.
I had always yearned to participate in a monster truck replica like this. Racing video games, a genre crying out for innovative and imaginative arcade-style experiences to revive their excitement and thrill. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, we’ve witnessed a growing trend among arcade racers of playing it safe with stale service styles and generic modes – and it’s unfortunate that this title has joined that unflattering group. The driving physics salvage what’s otherwise a disappointing racing game mired in a uninspired concept.
