Message Opinions January 9, 2024, 6:01 pm
The MudRunner game series has been offering predictable yet extremely addictive off-road driving fun for several years now. The subtitled Expeditions develops the ideas of the previous entries in the series and focuses on exploration, which it does surprisingly well.
I’ve been working with MudRunner since the beginning, since the “grandfather” of this series, Spintires. The first installment of the series felt revolutionary to me, although I know it looks pretty fun when it comes to driving trucks in the mud and off-roading. However, it must be said clearly that there was nothing similar on the market. Advanced simulation of terrain deformations, great driving physics and focus on an unpopular direction – a transport game, not a racing game – all this was a breath of fresh air. I fell in love with the raw Spintires and enjoyed the more refined MudRunner and the interesting SnowRunner. After Expeditions was announced, I didn’t really know what to expect, because it felt like the same thing for the fourth time. However, I recently had the opportunity to test a first version of the game (for about 6 hours) and I can tell you that I was very pleased. Not only did the creators not “reheat the cutlet”, but they also added salad and potatoes to it – in other words: it promises to be a lot of fun.
Drones, depth sounders and anchors come in handy in the mud
Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, Focus Home, 2024.
Let’s start with these last two elements, because they are the backbone of the “plot” of Expeditions. Our tasks in previous productions were quite utilitarian: delivery of lumber, fuel, spare parts, etc. The expeditions put us in the shoes of researchers, exploring previously unknown areas and treasure hunters. It’s the various finds, discoveries and other similar activities that encourage further play and I have to admit that it’s a nice update on the classic formula. We are supposedly driving off-road, supposedly carrying a load, and yet we feel like it’s something different, something new.
The trial version of Expeditions includes a total of 88 missions in 3 different biomes: Little Colorado (a tutorial area with 6 expeditions), Arizona and Carpathians.
What immediately caught my attention were the new vehicle functions that we can use during educational trips. So far we have chosen the type of tires depending on the area we intended to cross, and now we also have the possibility of modifying the air pressure that reaches them. Maximum hardness allows for faster driving and lower fuel consumption, while reducing it improves traction at the expense of greater fuel consumption. I have to admit that this is very useful during the game, because I often managed to get out of a really difficult situation this way. Furthermore, each subsequent modifier makes it more and more dependent on us and less on chance. A big plus.
Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, Focus Home, 2024.
Many people were probably waiting for the introduction of the so-called “anchors” in English), which finally allow the use of the winch regardless of the surrounding environment. We no longer have to rely on there being a tree or other anchor point near where we are buried. All we have to do is drop anchor on stable ground and we will be able to get out of even the heaviest mud. It is worth remembering that each of these anchors costs money, so when going on an expedition, you need to calculate how many of them are worth buying in order to profit from such an expedition.
The drones prove to be an interesting addition that strongly underlines the emphasis the creators place on exploration. During the game, we have the opportunity to release such a device into the air and explore a certain area, determine the optimal route and search for chests with equipment. The latter are a sort of reward for having explored the area in Expeditions and allow, for example, to stock up on fuel or spare parts. Another “technological” addition are depth sounders that measure the depth of water tanks, thanks to which we know if we will cross them safely or if we risk damaging or drowning the car.
The tuning and crew members are waiting
If you haven’t had enough news so far, I have more for you, this time with a slightly less direct impact on gameplay. In Expeditions you will be able to hire team members who will help you on your next expeditions. However, they will not do this “live”, but only through special modifiers, for example -30% fuel consumption or +15% damage resistance. Hiring them individually may incur additional costs, but it can pay off because they often help you get to your destination more quickly and efficiently. The garage staff is quite large, because in Expeditions you can employ mechanics, logisticians, hydrologists, field explorers, operators and managers.
I also really liked the “tuning” option, which allows you to modify the car and change its aesthetics. You can upgrade engine components, suspension, tires and even the winch. Furthermore, there is the possibility of purchasing accessories, such as roofs, bumpers or special rims, as well as the possibility of painting the car or adding stickers to it. In short: the complete package.
Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, Focus Home, 2024.
Nice graphics and good optimization are already here
Even though I played the first test version of Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, I also want to mention the graphics and optimization. It often happens that before the premiere, the game’s performance leaves much to be desired, and adequate optimization occurs shortly after, right before the debut of a particular title. In the case of Expeditions, however, it is very good and I think it can only improve. I tested the game on a powerful computer with an RTX 4080 and it ran smoothly at over 120 frames per second on ultra settings, but this is nothing particularly strange. What seems much more interesting to me is that on Steam Deck the game ran at a stable 40 frames on medium graphics settings! I also tried increasing them to the maximum and after locking the FPS at 30, I also played very comfortably, without resolution scalers in the form of DLSS or FSR.
Expeditions’ graphic design is also a step up from previous entries in the series. The lighting, texture resolution, detailed terrain coverage and basically all other visual elements look better than in SnowRunner, which is visible to the naked eye, you don’t have to look for small details pixel by pixel.
Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, Focus Home, 2024.
A step in the right direction
My initial caution (not to say skepticism) towards the new version of MudRunner quickly turned into great sympathy, and to tell the truth, after these few hours of play, I’m finding it difficult to find any major flaws or warning signs. My positive feelings indicate that there is something to look forward to and Expeditions: A MudRunner Game will be a must for fans of the series, but not only for them. I have the impression that this part wants to attract new players more than the previous ones. It is not a question of lowering the level of difficulty or the quality of the simulations (which are still excellent and balanced), but of a greater refinement of basic elements such as an interface more adapted to consoles and pads, clearer panels in the menu, better described options and more detailed tutorials. If I had to bet on the success or failure of Expeditions today, I would bet on the former. I can’t wait for the full version to arrive.
2024-01-09 17:01:00
#Snowrunner #fantastic #game #playing #Expeditions #incarnation