This Week I Have Been Mostly Playing…
SnowRunner on PC
Usually it’s far easier to write a review after you complete a game, giving you a full view of what the title has to offer. Another great spark is to write after a moment of triumph, the feel good moment allowing the words to flow. I write this stuck on the crest of a hill, two trucks struggling to pull the trailer of the two concrete blocks I need to finish building a bridge. Fucking frustrated is an understatement and yet I still want to write
After stepping away to write these words I know within a couple of hours I will be diving right back in, figuring out how to get beyond the crest of the hill. I suppose this review isn't about challenges but the unusual games that you fall for. I don’t really do driving games (Mario Kart doesn't count, that's a game to fuck over your friends at speed). The last thing I really enjoyed in this genre was Gran Turismo 2’s driving licenses way back in 1999. So not even the races themselves.
There are plenty of alternative driving games out there, Stuntman was pretty cool, Driver was mental (even if I struggled to get past the first level in the car park). Eurotruck simulator is the big one for PC gaming but never really grabbed me. I think it’s the same reason I don’t really dig Train Simulator either. Not a whole lot can go wrong and you have to play by the rules. Neither are my cup of tea, I need cockup cascades to keep me on my toes!
Step forward MudRunner which I really got into last year. Thrown into challenges on decent sized maps players are given a hulking truck to power through the staggeringly difficult environment to deliver something. The challenge being the oceans of water and mud. The game went through two iterations and veers from North America to Russia in environments. It was a lot of fun, particularly with friends.
It was very much a bite size chunk kind of game, jump into a challenge for an hour and then dip out again. Most vehicles and upgrades were available from the start and messing up wasn't the end of the world. It was decent but could be so much more. So hello SnowRunner. Which improves upon basically everything. Now the campaign is set in huge maps across Michigan, Alaska and Taymyr in Russia. And yes there's the addition of Snow. Oh fuck!
That's not actually the biggest change (though it’s far harder to get grips with). They've built a proper continuous world, a campaign that keeps on going. It’s a big step up but works brilliantly. Driving around, getting stuck and then pulling yourself out is the million little challenges that make this game. Yes it’s frustrating but in a ‘I'm gunna beat you’ way.
That’s its bread and butter but the icing on this sandwich(?) are the upgrades. You start with a single pick up and must unlock experience and money through tasks to buy new vehicles and parts. These new mechanics really push my buttons, making the game far more engrossing. I want to explore every nook and cranny to find all the upgrades and new vehicles. I feel I am going to need them.
The game eases you in with some light exploration before giving you a big challenge in building a bridge. In fact you just need to deliver the items and it will auto build. Once complete about 60% more of the map opens up, including access to a garage which is your homebase. This is so important. If you run out of fuel, damage your truck too much or just get stuck you can recover your vehicle to here and start again. I am playing on Normal so the reset is a lifesaver! No real punishment aside from losing time.
As a non driver I have been fucking useless at this game, so much so that i tore up one mud track so badly it was impassable. I restarted my save but actually that was a great move. Turns out the devs hid loads of trailers with cargo you need to deliver. Fuck knows how I missed this the first time but made this second chance far better. Now I know what my truck is capable off and which areas of mud to avoid it is far less frustrating.
This game looks amazing, the scenery at times is jaw dropping. Playing on my pretty decent gaming laptop on medium settings and I cannot stop taking screenshots. The sunlight in early evening is particularly beautiful. There have been a couple of minor bugs with trees and some strange pop in for Zebra crossings but overall it's a well made game.
The most peculiar thing is the maps are highly detailed, with towns, farms, industrial complexes, fields, bogs, rivers which all look great. But there are no people. No other vehicles driving around. This probably makes the game a lot easier (particularly to program) but can feel a bit lifeless. It makes me feel like the apocalypse happened, you are the only person left who went mad with loneliness and has created all these tasks for themselves. Very peculiar.
Though not a deal breaker. It works very well as it is, I will look to pick up on Xbox at some point. I really want to try out some multiplayer shenanigans. I have basically lost an entire Sunday to it and cannot wait to play more. Something in an off-road driving game just clicked and I love it. Somehow! The low paced stakes and only time lost if you fuck up have really sold it to me. A nice change and has a lot of mileage left in the tank….
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