Big Mutha Truckers 2 Preview

Momma is in jail, so her truckin’ kinfolk are out to do what they can to see that the jurors do not vote to send her to prison. Being folk that seemingly couldn’t find a dozen active brain cells between them, but still manage to be smart enough to maneuver big rigs, that means out-driving the police, bikers, destroying whatever you want to for bonus damage scores, and making sure that UFOs don’t steal your load.

Big Mutha Trucker 2: Truck Harder is a PlayStation 2 release slated to ship later in August. This title from THQ and Eutechnyx is not the most involved game ever created. Rather it pins its hopes on stereotypes, and bumpkin mayhem with a splash or more of Hee-Haw honeys sexiness tossed in. Sure, there are thinly veiled innuendos scattered in there, as well as some blatant statements – particularly in the areas of the game where you are trying to find and talk to the jurors.

Bobbie-Sue's rig goes nose-to-nose with a police cruiser. The police will lose this one.

Before getting to the sausage and grits (meat and potatoes, but in keeping with the theme) of this title, a few things should be noted: there are four playable characters – Bobbie Sue, Cletus, Earl and Rawkus within this arcade-style driving game. The CB system has been upgraded from Big Mutha Truckers (the original) to allow players to receive warnings and updates along the road. Players can haul a variety of items on three difficulty settings that determine the time you have for the treks, and you can smash buildings, cars and battle bikers, while avoiding falling rocks and other obstacles that pop up on the mapboard (which also contains a highlighted route for you to use during your races to get your cargo delivered).

This is a single-player game, and players will be able to customize their rigs as they go as well as tune into a nice selection of music – which must be counted as one of the highlights of the game.

To the game's credit, driving dynamics do change a tiny bit in icy conditions like this

The game itself is fairly straightforward: you find a juror, find out how much it will take to bribe them, and then run missions for cash or gamble in simplistic games at the casino to earn what you need to pay them off. Trading posts offer you the opportunity to buy loads to transport. You are given a choice of difficulty levels tied to the time you are given to deliver the load (make it on time and you get a bonus). Then you are counted down, and once given the go sign, it’s off to the destination as fast as you can drive. You can swing the back end of your rig around to take out buildings, cars and bikers, and you will need to outrun the UFOs that will come along and try to steal your cargo. Damage, time and cargo all figure in to the cash you receive at the end of the run.

If you are good, and smash the right obstacles, you might even fight shortcuts along the way.

The game’s challenge lies in controlling your rig. This beast is cumbersome, and backing up – if you overshoot an exit or trade station – can be a challenge.

Graphically this game is nothing exceptional. The screen has all the info you will want, presented in a manner that is quickly referenced and easy to digest. This is, to some extent, a very directed experience. The musical score does shine, but the voice acting is indicative of the whole tone of the game. Many of the jokes fall a little short of the chuckle mark.

Big Mutha Truckers 2 is not a revolutionary game, but actually it is a simple exercise that will provide some minor thrills and challenges in small sessions. GameZone received a preview version of this game, and with the release date fast approaching, little may change by the time the game ships. If you are looking for a serious racing challenge, you may wish to skip this title. But if you are looking for country bumpkin stereotypes, a simple tale and some driving challenges, this might be a title you will want to peruse in the stores.