An ok intro into the world of offroad gaming, but nothing to be surprised about.
The gameplay is an original idea but presented with all the other problems, its hard to look at. You can start career mode and buy a dinky little Jeep or something else of low power and work your way up to the big trucks. Only problem is thats it. Once youve completed the career theres nothing left to do, unless you like single racing. The AI isnt necessarily smart. Ive seen the computer run straight into walls, back up, and run into them again. Once you get used to the overall game, its easy to beat the computer on any difficulty. The levels are few in numbers but they can go in reverse. The thing is that the reverse levels can feel like a compltely different level altogether. The unlockables are practically null and you can only get a Black Widow SUV, an ice cream truck, and a school bus only by using codes.
Several tracks from all over the world such as Mojave, Hawaii, and Wales are presented with a nice feel. But the glitches are abound and can make even whats seems like the simplest track turn into pure hell. Trees that aren't supposed to be there, walls that arent supposed to go that far, no car damage, no level movement. The vehicles are nicely done and resemble blocky versions of their real world counterparts. even the T-Rex.... The sweet, sweet T-Rex. If only your dream had become a reality. Oh sorry, I was daydreaming.
The sound is ok in some points. The water splashes, the sand sounds like sand, the shocks on the vehicles make noise, the trucks bang when you hit something. However, the engines sound the same and there are no environment sounds. The soundtrack is excellent with artists like Fear Factory, Sevendust, and Gravity Kills. I was introduced to Fear Factory because of this game, and I at least owe the rating for it. But thats about it. Those three artists. And in-game music is just non-vocal loops of the artist's music.
I wish I had a working PS1 or PS2, Id be playing this game right now. It was good to me back then but Im not sure if it will be now. Having played other off-road games, this one may be reduced to just a shot in the dark. But one things for sure: it sure as hell was fun.