MONSTER JAM: STEEL TITANS

Keep on trucking or one to Dodge?

Waaaaaay back when, ex-PlayStation boss Phil Harrison described rumble as a “last-gen” feature while trying to big up PS3’s SixAxis pad. Phil, we’ve got a game that would like a word with you. Though Rainbow Studios’ racer is somewhat cheap and erratic, there’s no question it gives your DualShock 4 the sweatiest, most finger-shaking workout it’s ever had.

Aside from rather exquisite rumble feedback, Monster Jam: Steel Titans revels in chaos. This is a monster truck game where the headline vehicles often cartwheel through the air as if they were entirely composed of styrofoam and helium. Despite its arcadey appearance, this is a punishing title – make one false move, tip your truck, and there’s a good chance you won’t see an opposing driver for the rest of the race.

While the smudgy, often ugly action won’t arouse your peepers, Monster Jam’s handling is surprisingly satisfying. As you bully your way through an awkwardly fussy campaign (you have to achieve at least third place in each series before unlocking the next set of events) you gradually get to know its particular driving model. Twitchy, yet also deliberate, this is a game where both caution and a sense of the cavalier1 are rewarded.

There’s also a pleasing absurdity at play in Steel Titans. As arcadey as its races often are, there’s enough realism here to ground proceedings in a strangely compelling manner. Example? How about blowing out a tyre2 and the game forcing you to complete the race as you hobble along in eighth place like a six-tonne knackered shopping trolley. Fugly and frantic, this is a unique racer.

FOOTNOTES1 Later arena events challenge you to pull off a variety of two-wheeled stunts to earn medals. 2 After you blow a tyre, you can fix your vehicle via a randomly timed, q- hammering QTE.