SPINTIRES MUDRUNNER - THE BEST UNSUNG ALL ROUND FUN SIMULATOR?

(From DriveTribe, July 26 2018)

You've all heard of the many mainstream Simulators such as Gran Turismo Sport, Euro Truck Simulator 2, Farming Simulator and many more, but, hidden away deep in the thick of the Russian forest is an unusual, but surprisingly fun game from Focus Home Interactive; SpinTires Mudrunner.

SpinTires Mudrunner, or as it's officially known as "Mudrunner: a SpinTires Game" is an off-roading simulator set deep in the heart of Russia's heavily wooded forests.

The aim? To find watch-points (like a torn piece of a map...or glasses enabling you to see a large portion of the map much more clearly)...and garages which hold upgrades for your truck and new trucks too.

Before you even choose which of the several maps you will try to attempt, you have to choose your vehicle...and this is where Mudrunner excels.

The variety of cars in the base game is acceptable, you get a bog standard (no pun intended) Jeep, a couple of off-road military style heavy-duty vehicles and a tractor (If you get The Ridge DLC - 1 of 2 Map DLC's)...but once you look at the steam workshop the metaphorical flower blossoms into life - from a 1902 Renault G, FIAT 126, and even Suzuki T120ss (Japanese little pick-up)to fully sized monster trucks, and H.G.V cabs to serious offroaders like the mighty Hummer H1, Lexus LX570, Land Rover Defender and Toyota FJ and Land Cruiser...and even two racing Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4's.

A Wee Dilemma

The steam workshop also offers a plethora of maps too, including a notoriously difficult winter/snow map and a desert circuit that you can thrash your less ideal off-roaders around.

There are some very high-quality Steam Workshop Items which can enhance your gameplay.

Finally, haven chosen your vehicle and map (and waited 5 seconds for the game to load)

The first thing about SpintTires you will notice is the mud (duh!) It may sound obvious, but with a dynamic world around you, fully loaded with a day/night cycle (it gets VERY dark at night), tweeting birds...no, I mean magpies and other species of bird chirping in the trees which you can scare away with a simple blast of your horn, the water from a nearby stream can be heard gushes down the Russian wilderness, may have your attention swept from the mud itself.

Unlike any other game, except its predecessor, (just called "SpinTires") the mud will dynamically react with your wheels - you turn your wheels left, Mud will be pushed aside, out of your Wheel's way...but be aware, the mud varies in depth and viscosity (liquidity, how sticky or smooth something is) very significantly, so be careful if you are thinking about taking your beloved fiat 126 for a spin.

If you are now worried that this sim is too hard you, then fear not because as long as you take a big fat truck, most of the medium sized trees are fully destructible with fab sound effects to along with it. And why not take a dip in that fast flowing river too? With water physics which rival GTA V, going for just a small dip can't hurt...just check the depth-first...otherwise you'll have to winch yourself out....with your other car (winch only works if current vehicles engine is on) so if you've drowned your monster truck and your spare is your 126.... I wish you ample of luck

Mudrunner's water physics almost match that of Grand Theft Auto Five.

If you are bored of pondering around alone, why not invite a steam friend/s to your multiplayer lobby and discover the world with them....

Or just start an impromptu wrestling match......

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