SnowRunner

About

SnowRunner is a single player and multiplayer arcade racing game with a business theme. It was developed by Saber Interactive and was released on April 28, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"SnowRunner" is the ultimate next-generation off-road experience, taking players on an epic journey across rugged landscapes in severe, unpredictable weather. Overcome challenging terrain, repair and upgrade your vehicles, and collaborate with friends to complete missions and explore the vast open world. Immerse in realistic graphics and physics, pushing your driving skills to the limit in this immersive and thrilling simulation game.

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 20,508 reviews

story197 positive mentions

grinding292 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and realistic terrain, creating an immersive off-road experience that many players appreciate.
The gameplay offers a unique blend of challenge and relaxation, with methodical driving mechanics that require strategic planning and resource management.
The humor and fun moments in multiplayer mode enhance the overall experience, making it enjoyable to play with friends.

The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that hinder gameplay.
Many players find the grinding aspect tedious and slow-paced, leading to frustration with repetitive tasks and high upgrade costs.
The monetization model has been criticized as exploitative, with frequent DLCs and microtransactions overshadowing the game's potential.

story
1,535 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
80%
7%
The game's story aspect is largely non-existent, with players describing it as a series of fetch quests and missions that lack a cohesive narrative. While the missions provide a sense of progression and challenge, they often feel repetitive and grindy, focusing primarily on transporting cargo and completing tasks without any significant plot development. Overall, the game emphasizes gameplay mechanics and exploration over storytelling, leaving many players craving a more engaging narrative experience.
- “The realistic physics, stunning graphics, and incredible attention to detail in vehicles and terrain make every mission a true adventure.”
- “Every mission feels rewarding because it’s not just about speed, but about planning your route, managing fuel, and picking the right vehicle and upgrades.”
- “The variety of trucks, terrain, and missions makes exploration engaging, and the feeling of finally getting a stuck truck out of a swamp is oddly satisfying.”
- “There's not really any story, no surprises, barely any progression (truck upgrades, new vehicles and some change to environment to make some routes easier, like clearing obstructions or rebuilding bridges) - it is exactly what you think it is from videos and screenshots.”
- “The only drawback to this game is the lack of a solid story.”
- “The missions are the same.”
gameplay
1,051 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The gameplay in Snowrunner is characterized by its methodical and immersive off-road driving mechanics, requiring players to navigate challenging terrains while managing resources and vehicle upgrades. While many players appreciate the depth and strategic planning involved, some find the gameplay can become tedious and frustrating due to its slow pace and occasional bugs. Overall, it offers a unique blend of relaxation and challenge, making it appealing for fans of simulation games, though it may not suit everyone’s taste.
- “If you enjoy methodical gameplay, problem-solving, and games that respect your time and effort, Snowrunner is a must-play.”
- “It takes the core mechanics of Mudrunner and just elevates it perfectly.”
- “The gameplay is challenging and rewarding, the visuals are stunning, and the sound design is solid.”
- “The steering wheel controls are kind of difficult to set up and will randomly stop working in the middle of gameplay.”
- “But the game does not sufficiently explain its mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is terrible.”
graphics
1,012 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
32%
2%
The graphics in Snowrunner have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, realistic terrain, and detailed vehicle models, often described as among the best in the genre. Many players appreciate the game's optimization, allowing it to run smoothly even on lower-end hardware, while others note minor graphical glitches. Overall, the combination of beautiful environments, dynamic weather effects, and impressive physics contributes to an immersive gaming experience, making it a standout title for off-road simulation enthusiasts.
- “The graphics are stunning—everything from the way mud clings to your tires to the reflections in the water is insanely detailed.”
- “The visuals are impressive, with detailed environments and weather effects.”
- “The graphics and vehicle physics are great, and the game's map and amount of content is massive.”
- “I can't exactly put my finger on it, but the graphics make the game look five years older than its actual release date.”
- “Graphics are pretty, but sunsets in Michigan make me think the blood moon is coming or something.”
- “The graphics are a lot worse than I expected; even with everything maxed out, the effects are pretty poor, and everything looks very 'last gen'.”
grinding
336 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
12%
87%
The grinding aspect of the game is a major point of contention among players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and slow-paced. While some enjoy the challenge and find satisfaction in overcoming obstacles, others feel that the repetitive tasks and high costs of upgrades make the experience frustrating and unenjoyable. Overall, the game caters to those who appreciate grind-heavy gameplay, but it may not appeal to players seeking a more dynamic or fast-paced experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Lots of things to unlock but no microeconomy, so no grinding.”
- “It's slow, it's tedious, it's far too long, and it's ridiculously frustrating when you're forced to watch the massive load of cargo you painstakingly yanked across the map go tumbling into a lake because you tried to take a shortcut with a 5° grade.”
- “This game is a tedious chore and the sense of accomplishment you gain from actually completing a task is minimal.”
- “The game starts way too slow and it just won't accept my superdrive gs-850-x steering wheel while the steering wheel works on games like farming simulator just fine.”
stability
261 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
1%
90%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users have spent extensive time troubleshooting issues, often finding little to no improvement, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players note that it runs well on specific platforms like the Steam Deck, the overall consensus is that the game remains a buggy experience, detracting from its potential enjoyment.
- “Overall, the game is beautiful, runs great, has decent physics, and I definitely recommend it to others.”
- “My entire playthrough has been 90% bug-free.”
- “It runs great, plays great, and is a lot of fun.”
- “I really want to rate this positively, but at 6 hours I've spent 5.5 of them troubleshooting and 0.5 of them actually playing.”
- “Was a fun game but it's broken for me. No matter what I do, every time I reinstall it, I try opening it and it freezes my PC to the point I have to hard shut it down.”
- “Despite this game being out for 4 years, it's still a buggy mess.”
music
206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it relaxing and fitting for the gameplay, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking variety. Some players prefer to turn off the in-game music and listen to their own playlists, podcasts, or audiobooks, as the game is often described as a chill experience best enjoyed with background audio. Overall, while the soundtrack enhances the atmosphere, it may not be sufficient for those seeking a more engaging musical experience.
- “The soundtrack is amazing and the game is beautiful; I often find myself stopping my engine to listen to the soundtrack or stopping to take in the scenery.”
- “From the very beginning, I was drawn in by its zen-like atmosphere—an ambiance punctuated by chill, ambient music that set the perfect tone for both intense challenges and relaxed exploration.”
- “The music is beautiful; I enjoyed listening to the game OST so much even outside the game itself.”
- “I usually turn the game sound off and put music instead because after a while it drives me crazy.”
- “Each map has its own theme; unfortunately, the small selection of songs makes monotony seep in rather quickly.”
- “The music is repetitive and leaves the game as a good opportunity to catch up on podcasts and Spotify.”
optimization
141 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
52%
23%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to run smoothly even on low-end hardware, while others report significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly on higher-end systems. Many users noted that despite good graphics and a wealth of content, the game suffers from inconsistent performance and bugs that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while some players find it well-optimized, others express frustration with its technical shortcomings, suggesting that further improvements are needed.
- “Hundreds of game mods and trucks, co-op multiplayer, lots of maps, runs smoothly on ultra graphics, even when your PC is run by a potato.”
- “Great physics, graphics, and optimization!”
- “It's insanely fun, with the best optimization I've ever seen in a game, the graphics are stunning and for a non-simulator it's greatly realistic.”
- “Even on the latest hardware, it's still stuttering like crazy with v-sync.”
- “Horribly optimized.”
- “The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful with all settings on high, but there are more game stuttering lag spikes as the map loads than I can really swallow, despite running on a game dedicated PCIe 4.0x4 NVMe, so optimization is rather poor.”
humor
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the hilarious moments that arise from both gameplay mechanics and interactions with friends. Many reviews mention the comedic potential of mishaps, such as vehicles flipping over or getting stuck, which often lead to laughter rather than frustration. Overall, the game is described as a fun and entertaining experience, especially in multiplayer mode, where the absurdities of off-road challenges create memorable and amusing situations.
- “Coordinating recovery missions, convoy deliveries, or just messing around with friends makes for a genuinely fun and often hilarious experience.”
- “The vehicles are diverse and customizable, which leads to some hilarious moments.”
- “You'll find yourself really enjoying the scouting portions: opening up watchtowers and finding upgrades, rolling your truck over hilariously down a hill and recovering it with the auto winch.”
- “Not SnowRunner. Sometimes you get yeeted into the sky, and although that's funny sometimes, it's not funny when you're playing a task and it's important, then you winch to a glitchy tree and go flying.”
atmosphere
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
36%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating environments, enhanced by stunning graphics and realistic sound design. Players appreciate the unique ambiance of each map, which features dynamic weather and ambient sounds that create a sense of isolation and tranquility. While some note issues with optimization and sound design, the overall experience is described as relaxing and engaging, making it a standout for those seeking a chill, off-road adventure.
- “The ambient sounds of engines, crunching snow, and flowing rivers deepen the atmosphere, making you feel truly isolated in nature.”
- “The game’s detailed environments and dynamic weather create an immersive, authentic atmosphere.”
- “The serene and tranquil atmosphere makes it a truly relaxing experience, especially when you're tasked with rescuing a vehicle stuck in the swamps or delivering heavy cargo to a remote rural area.”
- “Where Mudrunner had art direction and atmosphere, Snowrunner has graphics, mediocre sound design, a plethora of bugs, and a core gameplay mechanic that aims to waste your time as much as possible.”
- “The atmosphere is relaxing and tense at the same moment.”
- “Looks and feels like a real wilderness, but feels too frozen in time; it could be much better if there were some life around—deer, boars, bears, mosquitoes, and some occasional people at work places.”
replayability
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
51%
7%
The game boasts high replayability, with players praising its vast open-world environments, numerous vehicles, and customizable scenarios, making it enjoyable both solo and in co-op. While some users note that mod support enhances replay value significantly, others caution that mods can simplify the experience too much. Overall, the game is considered nearly infinitely replayable, offering a wealth of content and challenges that keep players engaged.
- “With the knowledge I have gained from all those hours playing, I can confidently say this is a game with so much replayability in the sense that you can create your own scenarios and shenanigans on your own or with great friends who just want to have a good time with you.”
- “Snowrunner offers a high level of replayability with its vast open-world environments and multiple objectives to complete.”
- “The modding community and seasonal content add insane replay value.”
- “If you want a tough offroad experience, this is for you, but the replayability is dog water and as soon as you get a mod it makes you never want to play it again, not out of anything bad, but because of how easy it becomes, so for a first playthrough, do not use mods, and just take the game slow.”
- “The game has been trending in the new DLCs being more annoying than fun and this is by far the worst so far, which is really saying something because some of the maps are so frustrating that they have very little to no replayability with me only playing them enough to unlock upgrades in some cases in playthroughs where I will try to complete pretty much everything.”
- “But the progression is mind numbing, the missions boring, and the replay value very 'meh'.”
monetization
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
13%
77%
The monetization model of the game has been widely criticized as a cash grab, with players expressing frustration over frequent DLC releases, season passes, and microtransactions that detract from the overall experience. Many reviewers feel that the focus on monetization overshadows the game's potential, leading to a perception of greed rather than genuine content improvement. Overall, the monetization practices are seen as exploitative, with calls for more substantial updates and fixes instead of constant paid content.
- “The monetization model is pretty much just collectibles (i.e. shiny new trucks), and those DLC trucks are always better than any non-DLC truck.”
- “The monetization is a bit much, especially since there are DLCs that aren't part of the yearly passes.”
- “Game itself is good, but the monetization here is super shady.”
- “I despise the DLC cash grab... seasons should be free updates.”
- “The season passes and DLCs make it hard for me to view it as anything other than a cash grab.”
- “It is a cash grab cloaked in a relaxing truck driving sim.”
emotional
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players describe the emotional aspect of the game as a profound journey filled with both frustration and satisfaction, often leading to moments of introspection and nostalgia. The challenging gameplay fosters a deep investment, making players feel a range of emotions from joy to despair as they navigate through difficult terrains and complete tasks. Overall, it is characterized as an emotionally charged experience that resonates with players, making it a memorable and sometimes cathartic adventure.
- “A must-play for anyone who enjoys a long, muddy, and emotionally challenging journey.”
- “Its attention to detail, realistic physics, and emotionally charged gameplay combine to create an addictive concoction.”
- “As someone who loves off-roading, I can say that Snowrunner has provided me with one of the most immersive and emotional gaming experiences I've ever had.”