Monster Jam Showdown Review: Fun but Repetitive

Three years ago, the monster truck gaming scene experienced a surprising rivalry, with two major titles launching within six months. Despite the hype surrounding a game featuring real-world, iconic vehicles, it was the less anticipated entry that won fans’ hearts. Initially, Monster Truck Championship, an unlicensed racing game from Nacon, stood out as a pleasant surprise in 2020. However, Monster Jam Steel Titans 2, which followed in early 2021, fell short with its cartoonish aesthetics, poor AI, lackluster progression, and fleeting events, failing to leverage its famous brands effectively.

Now, Monster Jam Showdown, released on August 29, attempts to correct these shortcomings. By moving away from the quirky, childlike open world of Steel Titans 2, it embraces a traditional event-driven format set in the rugged landscapes of Death Valley, Colorado, and Alaska. This change has improved the game’s appeal, making it arguably better than its predecessor, Monster Truck Championship, though not without its own issues.

Upon starting Monster Jam Showdown, players might be reminded of Dirt 5 with its neon paint and brash style. However, the excitement quickly gives way to a challenging tutorial that doesn’t fully prepare players for the gameplay ahead. The game’s trucks handle identically, making the choice of vehicle more about personal preference than performance. Initial controls are harsh, with independent axle steering and a need for frequent braking complicating the driving experience. Success depends on mastering understeering and oversteering while managing an overpowered engine and dual wheel sets.

Once players become accustomed to the controls, especially on the more expansive circuits, the experience can be exhilarating, striking a balance between arcade and simulation. The campaign mode offers numerous challenges and events, allowing players to collect their favorite trucks and compete in a variety of races.

The career mode, known as the Showdown Tour, begins in Death Valley and spans three regions divided into four zones each. Although the map suggests a diverse range of circuits and stadiums, the game’s pacing falters due to excessive freedom and a lack of structured guidance. As a result, players may find themselves repeating similar races and facing a repetitive gameplay loop. The campaign lacks effective event structuring and fails to highlight new events or prevent repetitive track usage, except for minor weather and item placement changes.

Despite offering eight single-player modes on paper, the reality is that only three modes exist with slight rule variations. Completing these events—categorized into red (racing), blue (stadium), and green (head-to-head)—earns tickets to unlock showdown races featuring famous trucks. Mini-challenges across the campaign offer additional bonuses and XP, but the overall variety feels limited.

The core race modes are where Monster Jam Showdown shines. Classic circuit racing is complemented by a figure-8 mode, adding some excitement and tactical dodging. The game’s AI, however, is unimpressive, with opponents driving in a predictable and non-aggressive manner. While the initial stages of races can be tough due to starting positions and clustered trucks, the challenge diminishes as players progress. Difficulty adjustments and well-designed circuits become more engaging, with point-scoring encouraging fluid, skillful driving.

A peculiar horde mode places players in the role of the hunter, capturing other drivers by overtaking them. Designed with multiplayer in mind, it feels underwhelming in the campaign due to its quick and straightforward nature. Head-to-head modes are simple point-to-point races, either in stadiums or outdoor environments. Though initially challenging, they become monotonous once players grasp the mechanics.

Freestyle trick events, comprising standard stadium, “best trick,” and extreme freestyle formats, offer limited variety. While the basics of jumping, sliding, and performing tricks are straightforward, the controls can be unpredictable, often resulting in accidental tricks. Frequent restarts due to control issues and obstructive pop-ups detract from the experience. The game’s tutorial prompts and constant reminders about tricks can become intrusive.

Atmosphere is another area where Monster Jam Showdown falls short. Despite the excitement associated with monster trucks, the game fails to capture the energy of a live audience. Crowd animations are static, and their reactions are drowned out by other sounds. The game’s narrator, with repetitive and lackluster commentary, further undermines the immersion. Additionally, the soundtrack is generic, lacking the impactful music found in earlier games like Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now.

In summary, Monster Jam Showdown offers a solid racing experience with rewarding progression and a decent customization suite. It performs well on the Xbox Series X, with good graphics and minimal glitches. However, the repetitive gameplay, lack of variety, and issues with atmosphere may deter players over time. For those seeking a monster truck game, it’s a competent choice, but casual fans or those intrigued by the format might find better value in Monster Truck Championship if they’re looking for a more engaging experience.