Whenever you get stuck (which will be often) you can engage an “advanced” mode which allows for the use of winch nodes. Get your mouse pointer at the ready, as you’ll need it a lot. You could add point-and-click off-road adventure into the descriptive mix. This would be fine to use, except for the camera movement constraints which make it a little fiddly to click on anchor points that are just out of view in some situations.
Once you’ve selected which winch node on the vehicle to use (they are different for each truck and jeep) you better hope there’s a nearby tree you can attach the other end to. Unless you happen to be playing in the multiplayer mode.
This game rocks in multiplayer.
Spintires is a great team game, with two or more players taking different trucks, joint operations are possible. With player support you have more options to repair, refuel and pull each out of traps while moving from objective to objective. Having the option to call in help from other players removes the pain of having to abandon a vehicle. Conversely, being the rescuer gives one a warm fuzzy feeling.
It’s worth saying up front, all the vehicles this game are played entirely from a third person viewpoint. In-cockpit views were one of the Kickstarter stretch goals which it didn’t achieve. However, the lack of a cabin or dash viewpoint doesn’t detract from the sim aspect in any way.
Joystick support seems currently limited to XINPUT devices on the PC, which essentially means the Microsoft XBOX controller or compatible. This reviewer didn’t get on well with the joypad and found mouse/keyboard control more than adequate to enjoy the game.
Controls allow switching of differential lock and all-wheel drive modes. Differential lock is good for grinding through deep mud and not so good for firm terrain. An on-screen hud provides data on current gear, speed, truck damage, fuel, mechanical states such as brakes. Damage is measured in “points” and this is where the game can get a little tense. Too much damage and you’ll be grinding that gear box, slowing you down, engine spewing black smoke and flame. Every big knock you take eats into that precious damage bar. Damage can be repaired at garage stations and in the field by some truck add-ons or trailers.
All the vehicles presented in
Spintires look fantastic, being of Russian design they have a hardy appearance. There are seven vehicles on offer, each with their capabilities, so choose wisely. The 26 ton MAZ 7310 8x8 truck is the biggest truck in
Spintires, often seen pulling SCUD missiles around Red Square in military parades, here its proving it’s worth pulling other trucks out of trouble. A real heavy duty workhorse that seems to have the pulling power to go anywhere. It does lack the ability to take many of the utility attachments in the game, although user mods exist to make it more flexible. Yes, this game has an active mod community.
Often overlooked is the audio. These trucks sounds like they are grunting and complaining with every shift and plunge. Well worth turning up the bass driver and annoying the neighbours for.
On Steam the price is currently £19.99, it does feel a little on the expensive side when the gameplay feels like an early release game. The multiplayer mode more than makes up for this, though.
Pros:
+ Amazing physics
+ Deformable mud
+ Co-operative multi-player
+ Active mod community
Cons:
- Controls and Camera control can be awkward.
- Little pricey.
- Simple objective based missions.
SPOnG Score: 4/5 - Naked trucks wrestling in mud.
