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Platform Filters:   All Platforms  Xbox   GameCube   PlayStation 2   PC   Game Boy Advance   Site Sections:   Updates  News   Games   Publishers   Developers   Reviews   Previews   Release Dates   Editorials   Glossary   Contact Us		Review:       19th August 2005: Big Mutha Truckers 2: Truck Me Harder  Ever wanted to drive a 30 ton truck across America and smash into cops? Of course you have! But how does this translate into a game? Read on to find out. Posted by Chris Barnett - PlayStation 2,Xbox - UK and Europe The truck driving genre is not exactly thriving in videogames these days, but after Sega's Eighteen Wheeler in the arcades, a few companies took notice that driving a truck without the need to be overweight and/or a hillbilly was actually quite fun. One such company was Eutechnyx, who released the original Big Mutha Truckers to moderate acclaim. In fact, although flawed, the game was quite enjoyable due to its quirky personality. Many gamers also saw this and the game went on to sell over 1 million copies. With such success with the first game, a sequel was inevitable and so Big Mutha Truckers 2: Truck Me Harder aims to take the series a little further. In this aspect, the game does succeed. It adds enough to the franchise to warrant a new game, though still not enough to warrant a good game. As it has been three years since the original, you would expect there to be a difference between the two games, but the differences here are quite small. Better graphics, new locations and a supposedly advanced control method are the major additions, even though they add little to the series. The dynamics and goals of the game are always quite simple: transport an item or person to a certain location within a certain time limit with minimum damage. Shortcuts are encouraged, as is shunting and bumping traffic that seems to be as 'on the rails' as it comes. When the smashing works it is quite enjoyable, multiple combos and gravity defying stunts are a couple of the highlights. But the whole system of combos, gravity and damaged controls give rise to many faults. On one occasion a manoeuvre could result in a super-combo, on another it could result in your truck buckling its load and swinging into a barrier. The collection of eccentric and grotesque characters is carried over from the first game, but here they are slightly more fleshed out with better back stories. Tasks relating to the characters' stories are quite welcome as they give the impression of actually driving for a reason, even if they maybe to earn money to release a certainly guilty woman from a jail. The dialogue in the cut scenes is especially humorous, although the game is rated at 16+ so you can expect casual swearing and sexual references. But this actually adds to the whole nature of the game in which everything is a stereotype. When you arrive in the city, the shop merchant is only concerned with business ('Buy, buy, buy! Sell, sell, sell!'), the female bartended has a vocabulary smaller than her bikini and the police are dumber than several bags of hammers. This light hearted world is a true game experience as it removes takes you from the typical atmosphere of a driving game. Aside from the driving sections, there are several card games offered in the bars at each location. These are always simplistic, such as snap or high-low, but they are a very welcome departure from the driving and since the gambling system is in place, they allow a risk strategy. There is also a well implemented trade system that allows you to load up on local goods and then trade them for more money at another location. This allows you to buy things 'on the cheap' in one location and then sell them at a greater price in another, due to a stereotypical sales approach. So wood is cheap in the forest locations but fetches a lot in the city, but 'dodgy' merchandise (such as stolen TVs) is much more common in the city. With the size of your truck limiting the load, upgrades to it are required and so the game is given a personalised feel. Colouring the truck and changing decals is also possible, but this is nothing we haven't seen before in similar games. With a lack of locations and variations to the gameplay, the game does risk settling into a dead end. But there are a few efforts to keep things alive, such as UFO encounters and cop chases, but neither of these actually changes the gameplay. Another feature is a mission mode that allows you to drive in other vehicles such as ambulances and escort cars, but the physics system in place gives them a slight truck feeling as you drive them, although they are still different from the standard game. The appeal of this game lies with how much you would like to drive a 30-ton truck in a lethargic way without worrying about strategy or long term lifespan. Since so few games offer this and the characters are so distinguished, a good deal of enjoyment could be gained here, but for most people this will be a short lived pleasure. Chris Barnett             Latest Images:		Review Scores:    Graphics:   Sound:   Gameplay:   Length:   Overall: Click here for our Review Score Guidelines.  Review Summary:  Truck driving is never going to be an easy situation for a game, it must be said. But here we have a respectful effort to inject just enough stereotype, craziness and enjoyment to make it a worthwhile pursuit for those who can tolerate the flaws. Everyone will find at least a few hours worth of enjoyment here, maybe more if you choose to 'pimp your ride'.  Related Games:  Big Mutha Truckers 2 for Xbox  1  Review Click here for All Game Information. Big Mutha Truckers 2 for PlayStation 2  15  Screenshots  1  Review Click here for All Game Information.
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