Hard Truck 2

"The most unique racing game of the year"

One of the first turnoffs for me when I'm looking for a video game is a label like ''valusoft'' and a $20 price tag on a new game. I know that's not a good sign. Still, there aren't many truck driving games on the market, and Hard Truck 2 looked pretty interesting for $20, so I picked it up...and after an hour of playing, I couldn't believe the game isn't better known.
The first thing anyone notices in a game is always the graphics, and Hard Truck 2 doesn't exactly stand out here. The graphics on the trucks themselves are decent, but the landscapes are generally flat and pixelated. The game also has a problem with the frame rate, running very slowly even on top-of-the-line computers. After a little while, the graphics start to look better as you notice the little details...the way the raindrops slide down your windshield, the lights reflecting off the wet roadway during a storm, and how day gradually slips to night. The trees blowing in the wind during a heavy storm is an impressive effect, too. The only thing that significantly hurts the graphics is their slow speed on most computers.
As with most racing games, the controls are easy to pick up on, but it'll take a while to get them perfect. Driving a truck is definitely nothing like racing a sports car, but it's handled very well in the game. Another nice touch are the ''extra controls'', like windshield wipers, and the ability to switch between high and low beams. It's just one of those nice little touches that many games forget. Force feedback is also done very well, if you have a high-end wheel like the Microsoft Sidewinder FF Pro.
The game's sound is also well above average. Each truck and vehicle has it's own sound, and with a good subwoofer on your computer, it'll let you know you're driving a truck. The soundtrack is great, combining 80's techno rock with a little bit or hair metal. Not everyone will like it, but it at least shows that some effort went into putting it together.
The gameplay itself is where Hard Truck 2 shines. With over 70 miles of roads and 12 or so cities to make runs between, there's plenty to do. One thing that I found interesting is that the box boats 12 trucks. Actually, there are more than 20, plus a variety of secret vehicles. It's much more of a challenge to get new trucks than in the last game, since you have to find one for sale somewhere before you can buy it. There are plenty of upgrades to buy once you have the truck of your dreams, too. Apart from the deliveries, you can also race or participate in trials or a bizarre vehicular football game. The game world is creative enough to keep you interested, with roads traveling through canyons, mountains, coastal areas, and forests, making sure you won't get bored with the game for quite a while. The game scores bonus points in this area with it's innovative concept, and loses only to mediocre AI.

Graphics 6/10
Sound 8/10
Control 8/10
Gameplay 9/10
Overall score 8/10

Bottom Line : The best budget game of the year, and possibly to the best to date. Hard Truck 2 fares well even compared to high-budget games. Do yourself a favor and buy it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/24/00, Updated 08/24/00