Welcome to truck hell
Spintires is a game where you get to operate off-road trucks. These large, heavy trucks are difficult to maneuver and designed to move large cargo through muddy woodland areas that are difficult to access. It's a tremendously fun game if you have enough patience to control these mechanical giants.
Trucks that use 30 liters of fuel per minute
The aim of Spintires is deceptively simple: move a load of wood from one point to another. Where's the challenge? Well, the paths are full of mud, rivers, vegetation, and "roads" that are covered with dirt. Throw in trucks that are extremely large, heavy, and difficult to maneuver, and you get something that puts your patience to the test.
These trucks, however, require control so close to that of a real truck, that Spintires is one of the best simulators I've tried in a while. You have to drive very carefully not to get stuck, using four-wheel drive and the differential lock properly. Over time, you'll learn how to use the tow cable when you need it, and you can attach the cable to trees to help get you out of any nasty ditches you might get stuck in.
If things get too difficult, you can always change vehicles and rescue the one that's stuck in the mud (you'll have to do this many times). You may even end up getting both trucks stuck and having to use a third truck to pull them both out. It's a lot of fun, especially when it takes over half an hour for the second truck to arrive.
You also have to control the damage to the vehicle and the amount of gas you use. Some of these monsters use up to 30 liters of fuel per minute! If you run out, you know what to do: call the fuel truck, of course.
Spintires has five different terrains to play through, all around the same level of difficulty, but very different. Although you have a map to consult, it's not actually all that useful seeing as the game conceals parts of the terrain so that you don't know where to go. It's very important to explore and see what's out there.
You also have different types of truck at your disposal, which you can customize as you gain experience points with extras such as trailers, cranes, larger loads, and fuel tanks.
Driving the trotter truck
Like the trucks in the game, the controls are rugged and difficult. You'll need some time to get used to using the keyboard and mouse to control everything. It does, however, make it possible to accelerate, change direction, and use the crane, all at the same time.
The hardest part is getting used to the strange camera (which you can move using the mouse).
Very realistic in terms of physics
One area where Spintires has surprised everyone is its graphics. You have incredibly realistic trucks which move, sway, and chug in a believable way that sometimes make you forget you're playing a video game. The same goes for effects like smoke and the movement of the mud (heavy and sticky).
The physics are completely realistic and should be taken into consideration at all times. For example, the weight of the load can sink the truck in the mud if you stop for too long. When you bump into trees and branches, they behave as they would in real life. Overall, Spintires is a very realistic game.
Get ready for the long haul
Spintires is not only very original, but is also very well done at a technical level. The game is quite rugged as far as menus, interface, and controls go, but then again, so are the trucks you are operating. Nevertheless, Spintires is overall a lot of fun, but you do need patience and nerves of steel.
Note: Please be aware that during the installation process of Spintires additional software will be offered to you. If you don’t wish to install any additional software, we recommend you to opt out by unticking the corresponding boxes.
