Where we are going, we don’t need roads. At least not in Mud Runners, A Spin Tires game. Developed by Saber Interactive, Published by Focus Home Interactive, Mud Runners is a hardcore off-road driving simulator. Which can be played single player or coop up to 4 players online. Choose your truck army and hit the trails. The maps are massive with 6 sandbox style maps for casual or hardcore modes for both sp and mp. Completing 1 map can take at least an hour on single player. Your objectives usually require multiple truck loads so there’s lots of commuting. You’ll have to manage your fuel and plan your route for fueling stations as well as your objectives. Luckily you can jump in any truck you’ve unlocked on the map. When you need a break and log off, game play is suspended wherever you park your truck on the map so you can pick up right where you left off. Or you can just bring some friends to drive some extra trucks for you.

Besides those 6 maps, there are 9 separate challenge maps you can tackle. As you complete each map you’ll unlock the next. You could try towing multiple trucks with the Winch ability but that requires very good driving skill. Multiple trucks are a must especially if you flip over or get stuck in the mud and water. There’s no shortage of trucks either with 19 total. Each truck has its own characteristics. Different sizes, horse power, capacity sizes and trailer options. Rear Wheel and All-wheel drive with differential lock, making some trucks easier to handle than others. There is even options for trailers and accessories like extra gas tanks, to tool boxes for repairs on the road.

Visually this game really stands out in the game play itself. watching your trucks sling mud is a rednecks dream. Driving through the country is a treat. with full day and night cycles lighting changes as you play. If driving at night gets too difficult, you can skip the night cycle in the pause menu at the cost of vehicle damage. The terrain its self feels alive. your truck will pick up what ever you drive through. Mud, water, grass, bushes, and even tree branches. Your truck will show the environment stick to your vehicles and even mud will wash off when you plow into a river or lake. Trucks will also take damage if you drive like an animal. Rocks will damage your exterior. Water can immobilize your truck until you eventually tow it out which can set you back a lot of time. Towing vehicles and trailers can flip and drag you down a steep slope so strategic driving and taking risks is a fine line. The Camera system is like a tank turret. u can look in any direction while driving forward or reverse. Which is helpful when planning your attack up or down specific terrain. It takes a while to get use too.

The sound in this game is not good at all. I mean its only a driving sim I know, but there is no menu music or game play music. the truck engines aren’t that different from each other. Besides the actual driving all you hear are birds chirping and water in the back round. Helps me fall asleep at the wheel if anything. These trucks should be revving louder than Tim Allen on Home Improvement. Spewing out smoke from exhaust. Red lining engines when trucks struggle to go up hills or get through water, the engine sounds like it’s idling even in 1st gear hammering down the gas.

Mud Runners is a one of a kind game. With not that many off-road games on the market I could see this game style evolve into something great. If VR was an idea, this game would be that much better. I recommend this game to any gear head, red neck, or ice road truckers fans. Or anyone who just likes trail blazing in big ass vehicles.

Spintires:Mudrunner is available today for $49.99 on Xbox One. PS4 and PC at $39.99.