"Snowrunner": Huge trucks, lots of mud and only the winch can save us
6.5.2020
Translation: machine translated
Support: Philipp Rüegg
The wheels are spinning, I can't go forwards or backwards and I've run out of petrol. Getting stuck is the order of the day in the off-road simulator "Snowrunner". Watch the livestream from 2 p.m. to see if we can get out of our misery.
"Snowrunner" is actually the complete antithesis to other car simulations. If the aim of "Forza" and "Gran Turismo" is to reach the finish line as quickly as possible, the biggest obstacle in "Snowrunner" is the road. We first explore the map with a small, manoeuvrable vehicle before dragging half-rigs across the map with large lorries. Exploration is the key to success, because if we get stuck with the lorry, the exercise becomes really tedious. Thanks to a cable winch, the lorry can attach itself to trees and electricity pylons so that we can get out of the mess. If that doesn't work either, we have to use another vehicle to free ourselves. This costs time, nerves and petrol.
Mud fight or snow flurry?
The open world is divided into three areas. The starting area in Michigan is mainly swampy, while deep snow and ice give us a hard time in Alaska. Softened permafrost in the eternal expanses of Russia is the last map where we put our skills to the test.
Numerous vehicles of various categories are at our disposal for our off-road adventures. Thanks to various upgrades, we can turn an old truck into an off-road monster. Four-wheel drive, differential lock, a higher chassis and mud tyres are the minimum, otherwise the vehicle will get stuck the first time it turns into the forest. An engine snorkel, a battery-powered winch, spare tanks and spare parts are essential for longer trips. However, we first need to find these updates on the map. Similar to Ubisoft games, we can unlock observation towers, which in turn show us tasks, updates and trucks buried in the mud on the map. And there are a hell of a lot of them.
Bridge builder and oil pioneer
After the virtual exploration tour, you have to accept orders from companies, deliver materials for bridges or clear paths of rubble and stones. We need heavy artillery for this. Various articulated lorries with countless trailers and superstructures are at our disposal. Now that we know the map a little better, we plot a route that is longer but also passable. The risk of tipping over, getting stuck or being washed away by the river is still gigantic. When we finally reach our destination, we get XP, cash and a sense of achievement. The missions can take half an hour and any inattention is penalised with failure.
The snail's pace of the lorries makes you think you're on a relaxed coffee run. The opposite is the case. The danger of getting stuck or tumbling down the slope lurks in every dip, behind every hill and at every turn-off. Only with complete concentration and perfect planning will you succeed in the truck rides in the pampas. If you get distracted, you can start all over again. Failure is of course more fun together. Thanks to the co-op mode for up to four people, Phil and I take each other out instead of through the mud for once.
We'll at least give it a go in the livestream from 2 p.m.
Simon Balissat
Teamleader Editorial
Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.
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