Monster Trux Extreme: Offroad Edition (PlayStation 2)

Monster Trux Extreme: Offroad Edition, as the name implies, is a Monster Truck arcade racing game. There are 3 engine classes to choose from: V6, V8 or V12. There are also 8 different trucks to choose from, and a total of 12 different courses (some of which consist in a previous course mirrored or in a different daytime condition). At first, only one engine class, two trucks and one courses will be available, the others having to be unlocked while playing the game.

Each race is played against 3 computer opponents (or 2 in split-screen mode). During the races, 2 types of power ups can be collected: wrenches and nitros. Wrenches recover the trucks’ damage gauge, and come in two types, one that repairs one unity of the damage gauge and one which fully repairs the truck. Nitros can be used to boost the truck speed for a while, each one filling 1/3 of the trucks’ nitro gauge. If the player runs over yellow speed stripes on the courses, a little speed boost will be gained. Dollar symbols can also be collected, adding money to the player’s profile. Money can be used to unlock new trucks, but it isn’t spent: to unlock a new truck, the player only has to have the required amount of money. Money can be lost if the player depletes the whole damage gauge by bumping into obstacles or other vehicles: the truck explodes and respawns at the cost of 10 money units.

The game offers three game modes:

• Single Race: in this mode players select one engine class, one monster trucks and one course for a single race of four laps. All money collected in this mode adds to the amount available for the player.
• Time Trials: in this mode players select one engine class, one monster truck and one course for a time trial. After completing a lap, the time will be registered and the ghost of the best lap will be displayed during the following laps.
• Challenge: in this mode, after selecting one engine class and one truck, players select one out of three cups: bronze, silver or gold. At first, only the bronze cup will be available, the others having to be unlocked by winning the previous ones. The winner is the racer with most points earned after 4 races in different courses.

Single Race and Challenge modes can be played in three difficulty settings, which affect the AI of the opponents: Junior, Beginner or Experienced.