Excite Truck review: Arcade racing mayhem

I got Exite Truck during the week. As usual I get very exited when I purchase new software and belive every new game is amazing! So I dont know how I will feel about this game in a couple weeks. The overall feel is not that of an unfinished game, just one with out many bells and whistles on its front end. This game is a pure, unashamed arcade racer.

Tracks are lumped together to make a series of 4 or 5 races, starting with the bronze series up to platinum, unlocking them as you go. I think the tracks have great variety, the beaches in Fiji, castles in Scotland, whatever Canada's known for?? Like the tracks the trucks also make a difference to how you play. I think there's about 20-30 different trucks to unlock and then differing paint jobs awarded for success in that vechicle. The trucks give you 5 stats to check:speed, turbo, air, grip and also tells of the handelling type, slow, medium or quick.

I think the size, scale and quality of graphics in this game are as good as anything i've seen on the wii, and the speed and smoothness at which it runs bodes well for the future. At first you have to play through the first basic tutorials before it will let you race. Once done I expect most gamers to cane it through the game in no more than 2-3 days. Luckily upon completion, another option appears on the menu for 'Super Exite Truck'. This is much more competitive racing and although many races were played over and over to achieve the result needed to move on its definatly more fun than a chore. In Super mode, platinum is no longer the highest achievment/toughest tracks, it is the crystal medal that i'm stuck at. The last track came as shock, players of Mario Kart may well think it reminds them of somewhere.

The reason I played this game so hard this week is because I wanted a game of multiplayer. I know multiplayer wont be as fun with only 2 trucks on track, the usual is 6-8 in one player. What I didn't know is that i had complete everything just to unluck multi player.

The controls work a treat, taking no more than about 30mins to feel comfortable holding the wiimote horizontaly. Button2=gas, button1=brake/reverse(not used this one yet) D-pad=turbo, +button=pause menu, with quit, restart and the play your own mp3 sound menu. The only out right trink in the game is a 360spin in the air. This trick looks lame and its not easy to pull off. It should be by holding 1 and D-pad while airbourne and rocking the wiimote left to right. If your lucky your truck might 360 or might end up looking silly for no reward.

Points are quickly racked up during a race for much the same reasons as in the Burnout games, air, drifting, bashing opponents etc etc. Bonus points are awarded after a race for your position, then your race rank is calculated. D,C,B,A and S for true champs. B or higher is needed to open the next track. This can mean coming first but not doing enough or coming fourth with enough points to move on. To open Super exite mode all your orinal tracks must be improved on to an S rating.

I love it and i'm far from dissapointed, will update this if and when I get the multipayer open!