Monster Jam Showdown delivers an off-road experience focused on competition and trick execution. Players can pilot officially licensed monster trucks, customize their own, and compete across ten distinct game modes. The title boasts over 140 unlockable customization options. Employ boost mechanics to gain a competitive edge, and strategically utilize environmental destruction to augment your power.
As I mentioned in my May 2021 review of Monster Jam Steel Titans 2, I have fond memories of attending a Monster Jam event at Globen with my brother and father approximately 20 years ago. Having already been captivated by monster trucks, witnessing them firsthand, hearing their roar, and feeling the stadium shake was a memorable experience. I appreciated Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 for its inclusion of licensed vehicles, allowing players to control their favorites. However, I found the game to be overly unrealistic, failing to capitalize on the potential inherent in the subject matter.
Upon the release of Monster Jam Showdown, I hoped the developers had innovated within the genre. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be the case. While Monster Jam Showdown offers a wealth of unlockables and game modes, it ultimately fails to realize its potential for delivering a truly unique experience.
Monster Jam Showdown exhibits a pronounced lack of realism; the vehicles feel weightless. The experience of competing in a monster truck in this title is not significantly different from driving a conventional vehicle in another racing game. A more compelling title would leverage the unique characteristics of these vehicles, allowing players to demonstrably crush and destroy objects. Witnessing cars realistically deform under the immense wheels and experiencing the tangible strength and power of the trucks, rather than simply gliding across the tracks, would greatly enhance the immersion. The demolition racing game Wreckfest, with its detailed damage modeling and dynamic environmental destruction, provides a more satisfying experience. In Monster Jam Showdown, static car wrecks remain unaffected when driven over, acting as fixed obstacles impervious to the impact of a five-ton truck.
The game mechanics and overall design lack the depth necessary to create a truly engaging and enjoyable experience. This was also a shortcoming of Monster Jam Steel Titans 2, and Monster Jam Showdown appears to be a continuation of this trend.
In conclusion, Monster Jam Showdown is a competent racing game, offering online competition across various tracks. The abundance of unlockables adds to the experience. However, the title would significantly benefit from a greater emphasis on realism and the incorporation of the vehicles’ unique capabilities for destruction.
Plaion provided a review code for this assessment. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial process.
