4x4 Evolution 2 Review

So, what makes a better sequel to a racing game? Basically, not much in this case. Apart from the necessary visual enhancements, gamers will unquestionably expect new tracks and vehicles, and 4x4 Evolution 2 has just that, along with some additional features.

Players who haven't enjoyed the rides and thrills of the first game will especially be delighted to explore all of the features the second installment has to offer. At the very beginning of the game, you will notice that Terminal Reality has refreshed the game with various new options (both in single-player and multi-player mode). Thankfully, the restrictions of single-player gameplay, which I recall being quite a pain in the neck, have now been dealt with. Once you commence a career in off-road racing, a variety of challenges, races, and adventures will await you. The "Series" and "Qualifying Events" are back from the original. However, the main problem in the first game was that it was pretty hard to earn some money for basic car parts. Now, there's an additional opportunity of participating in several mission assignments. On the whole, you'll be able to earn money throughout exploring and performing certain tasks, therefore earning more greens, as well as working on your driving aptitudes.

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Watch those babies fly...

The title 'Evolution' truly agrees with general concept of gameplay. It signifies the concept from the original game that requires the player to go through a series of racing events (in "Career" mode) and receive cash for his effort; after that, he "evolves" by installing new equipment and thereby creating a more powerful SUV. The great thing about the career mode is that it can last as long as the player wants. Furthermore, the crew at Terminal Reality had decided to incorporate quite a lot of new tracks and vehicles. Gamers will be happy to know they can explore 32 tracks, which spread across various locations all over the globe - the old tracks were enriched with plenty of visual details and some were spiced-up with alternative side roads and shortcuts. Also, a few roadways were livened up with extra background animations. For example, the track called "Restricted Area," which takes place on a forbidden air-field, now has numerous additions to the environment: ammo crates lying around, F-16's and F-117's landing and taking-off, etc, etc. Understandably, a sequel means new SUV's, trucks, and jeeps. This game has over 120 models of the latest vehicles equipped to deal with the intricacies of off-road racing. To make things more exciting, the developers have decided to include even a few monster-trucks (which are really fun to drive).

Essentially, the purpose throughout the game remained the same: to show your racing skills and win cash prizes that will allow you to upgrade your base truck into a more efficient off-road vehicle. Relying on your choice of equipment and your driving abilities, you'll get to taste the delights of rushing through huge desert canyons, vast fields, swamps, high-ways, and so on. Depending on the track's features, you'll have to adjust your truck/SUV so that it can resist the oncoming dangers - like spilt oil on the road, stony paths, bushes, huge, and tree-trunks. This is where the authenticity of car parts comes in. There are somewhere around 90 pieces of vehicle gear, which can give your truck the proper boost up. So, like in the previous game you have to employ these components in such an order that applies to the features of your vehicle. Therefore, you will give your truck stability, speed, manoeuvrability, and endurance.

After playing for several hours, I noticed that the game doesn't have the strong tendency of becoming dreary; as was the case with the first title. This tediousness occurred due to a lack of more options, racing modes, and similar features. However, that boredom has been avoided in the second instalment thanks to the implementation of diverse competition modes and mission assignments. Competition races like the "Series" are tough, so you'll have to be prepared. Luckily, the best possible training comes with the missions, which mostly involve exploration, fixing the supply routes, and, of course, free-style driving.

Bumps, rocks and visuals...

The sense you get from driving these trucks and SUV's surpasses the one I got from the first game. Initially, I couldn't figure out what was the main attraction. But, after trying out all of the tracks and vehicles, I noticed a lot of innovations.