Monster Jam

By Jess Nickelsen

Activision and Torus Games are bringing the fun of Monster Truck racing back from the 80s, with their new title, Monster Jam.

If you never experienced it, Monster Truck racing was equal parts racing and demolition derby, with huge, jacked up trucks (with unbelievably high centres of gravity) that smashed and ploughed through the opposition, while trying to stay upright and win the race.

In this new title, you’re let loose on some pretty open tracks with loads of shortcuts. Perched high, high, high up in your monster track, the idea is to crash through cars, light posts, and other things on the track, in order to get speed boosts and other bonuses – and of course, win the race. Crushing things also earns you Monster Points, which you use to unlock anything from new trucks to additional tracks – but you can earn MPs by pulling off cool moves too.

There are heaps of game modes, including Championship, Circuit Race, Eliminator, Stadium Racing, Stadium Circuit, Freestyle, and Multiplayer.

From all accounts the music is solid, but a lack of good carnage and disappointing textures on some platforms means the game’s not as strong visually as it could be. Still, if you enjoy a high-energy game with heaps of unlockables and a multiplayer component, you’ll definitely want to check out Monster Jam.

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