Truck Racer Xbox 360 Review

Now the Xbox One has been out a while it's only right that we come over all nostalgic and remind ourselves how far games have come. This comes in the shape of Truck Racer.


After Forza 5 introduced no A.I. in a racing game it is only right that we take a trip back in time. The developer, Kylotonn games, really does well with what appears to be a  high school project. With high detail graphics the norm these days the developer decided a more unfinished look was in order. Playing the game and looking at my surroundings I came over all fuzzy and remembered the countless days lost to Gran Turismo 3 and Colin Mcrae Rally 3 on the PS2. Whilst these other games look better, I think the developer did a sterling job in trying to recreate that look of 2002, cleverly adding pop-up to remind us of days gone by. There is a track that is wet and I think one of the tracks is supposed to be icy. Now because it's supposed to look like a PS2 game there is no weather effects of actual rain or snow, but it's a nice touch, if only because it makes it easy to describe the tracks to people. I.E. 'The wet track' or 'The snow track'.


The sound in the game is something to be proud of. Races lack any soundtrack whatsoever so all you get to listen to is the roar of engines. What really is special is that when you pass the grandstand in a race the 'Crowd Noise' sample plays for about a second before suddenly dying. It really is a treat if you, like me, grew up in the 80's and played games which only had samples and loops. On one track I was racing and heard what sounded to me like a train going past. I kept my eyes peeled, hoping to see the train in the background somewhere but I never did. On another level I heard the same train. I still haven't found it but I will keep looking.

Gameplay wise the developers have gone to extreme lengths to make it as realistic as possible. Now I didn't know that driving a truck is like driving a hovercraft but apparantly it is. Who'd have known? I would have been so embarrassed if I didn't know that and one of my friends talked about how driving trucks is like driving a hovercraft. Now I am armed with that information I can never look stupid.


The most fun you can have with truck racing is smashing into other trucks, so it is a pity that once you start a race you never see another truck unless you lap them. But then you do get to ram them which is nice. Talking of which, the game modes are excellent. On the Xbox 360 when you are in an elimination race in first and you lap another vehicle in most games that vehicle is ghosted out so they can't touch you. Well in another neat touch in Truck Racer not only are the trucks not ghosted out, but they try and ram you as if they are in the race still! Talk about unique, I want to see all future games utilise this. Other modes include races and time trials. You would think that there would be a carmageddon type gameplay mode where you smash other trucks and last man standing wins but it isn't in career mode. I bet that when I complete the game it opens up this mode. Fingers crossed!

Split screen is always one of my favourite ways to play, so it is great that Truck Racer has it. You can get some friends round, and make a party of it. It will be an evening they will never forget. As for career mode, it is hard for any developer to make a good story in a racing game so Kylotonn cleverly opted to not have a story at all. Which is great because it means you aren't distracted and can concentrate on the racing. And if you like customising then I have great news. Every 2-3 races you have to go and change a lot of mechanical parts to change your truck from an Asphalt truck to a Dirt truck. Whilst hardly gamebreaking it makes it oh so more realistic by having to do this. In the end I didn't bother though, unless it's a time trial i'm racing. Call me lazy.


The game comes in at a whopping 1.1gb so the install speeds are excellent! None of this waiting 20 minutes for the install nonsense, pop it in and it's done! Also the loading times are excellent in between races, the developer can really be applauded for that. And in the 'tips' on the loading screen you get some really great advice such as 'Race: Come first to win'. It's those little touches that make this game stand out from the rest. It's hard to see a demographic for this game, but I would say it's meant for 7-11 year old boys with a healthy interest in trucks. With Christmas coming up it's a must buy for anyone with that aged child. Just imagine their face on Christmas, it would be something like this:


And even better, if you are torn between getting them the new COD or Truck Racer, save your money and just get this game. You will thank me for it!

Achievement wise all are straightforward and the 1K should take about 10 hours. There seems to be a problem with the online part of the game where some achievements are tied to though. I think that so many people are trying to play it they have a server problem or something, because I could never find a game even though it was released last week. They will probably rectify this with a patch at some point.


With new-gen games like Titanfall set to dominate Game of the Year awards it is refreshing to get another genuine contender in the shape of Truck Racer. For those that loved racing games on the PS2 this will bring back so many memories. Call it what you will, a hidden gem, diamond in the rough, DO NOT let this game slip under your radar. It isn't the easiest game to find, but once you do you will never sell it on, believe me. 5 Stars from me, and it gets my GOTY vote, and the developer goes straight to the top of my favourite developers, knocking Zoe Mode from its perch.

Been one of them days so just something to lighten the day   

Hahaha! Loving the irony overload in there mate.

Thamks for the chuckle..

lol
Oh dear
Nice post mate, made me smile

Colne Crusader wrote:Hahaha! Loving the irony overload in there mate.

Thamks for the chuckle..

Irony, what irony?   

Can I borrow it please??
Sounds awesome!!!

Also do you have import tuner challenge?
The graphics were not as sharp as this great trucker though!

Nice post mate   

I like the look of this...

Great review mate!!

KENT HAMMER wrote:Can I borrow it please??
Sounds awesome!!!

Also do you have import tuner challenge?
The graphics were not as sharp as this great trucker though!

its 14.99 at the m$ store

if it was cheaper I would grab it

Best review I've read in ages! Don't think the game is for me though, as great as it sounds!

Not a game for me but a funny read non the less

I have completed this almost, it was a lot of fun in an awful kind of way...

Is anyone else playing this, online is dead and was hoping to team up and knock out the cheevies..

I think there's only 4 or 5