SnowRunner
- April 28, 2020
- Saber Interactive
- 84h median play time
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Get on PS Store"SnowRunner" is an off-road driving game that features a highly advanced terrain simulation, allowing you to conquer extreme open environments in powerful vehicles from brands like Ford, Chevrolet, and Freightliner. Overcome mud, water, snow, and ice while completing contracts and missions, and customize your fleet with upgrades and accessories. Play solo or in 4-player co-op, and expand your experience with community-created mods.
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Playstation 5
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Reviews
- story981 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely absent, with players noting that it primarily consists of a series of missions and tasks rather than a cohesive narrative. While there are various missions to complete, including cargo deliveries and infrastructure repairs, many players feel that the lack of a compelling storyline makes the gameplay feel repetitive and grindy. Overall, the focus is on the challenge of completing missions in a sandbox environment, with little emphasis on character development or plot progression.
“The variety of contracts, missions, and cargo types keep the gameplay fresh, and there's always a new challenge to conquer.”
“Each mission demands planning and adaptability, creating an addictive cycle of problem-solving and achievement.”
“The game features a more detailed environment, more vehicles, and a wider range of missions.”
“The missions are boring and bugged, the game punishes you for the sake of making things hard and frustrating on the player, but with no real reason and does not make the game fun, it burns into players' time but there are no skills required, just patience to go over the frustration.”
“The mission system is pretty bad. But what really let me down is the missions are mostly guess work, the task and objectives are not made clear so a lot of head scratching is done.”
“The mission outline system and the truck information do not inform you of what you need for a mission, so often you will spend an hour of gameplay travelling across several regions to get somewhere, only to find that the truck or trailer you took can't take the cargo, and your time was completely wasted.”
- graphics678 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and attention to detail, with many players praising the beautiful landscapes, vehicle models, and environmental effects such as mud and snow physics. While the visuals are often described as top-notch, some users have noted performance issues on lower-end hardware and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the game's graphics significantly enhance the immersive experience, making it a standout title in the off-road simulation genre.
“The graphics are breathtakingly realistic, and the terrain is vast, challenging, and unforgiving.”
“The visuals in Snowrunner are truly impressive, and as someone who loves games that take place in natural environments, I was blown away by the detail and beauty of the scenery.”
“With its stunning graphics, exceptional attention to detail, and challenging gameplay, this game is a must-play for anyone who loves offroading.”
“The graphics are okay but the world is just completely dead.”
“Aside from the occasional physics glitch, the indestructible trees, flickering tire treads, and several road textures which overlap and cause damage if hit, you have the fact that any AMD graphics card has the chance of rendering the terrain as large spikes and pits, which is very immersion breaking and just plain ugly.”
“Graphics could be optimized better, has terribly dark nights (hard to see), but a very well made game.”
- gameplay656 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Snowrunner is characterized by its challenging and realistic off-road driving mechanics, requiring players to navigate through diverse terrains while managing vehicle upgrades and cargo deliveries. While many players appreciate the depth and strategic planning involved, some criticize the steep learning curve, occasional bugs, and the slow progression, which can lead to frustration. Overall, the game offers a rewarding experience with hundreds of hours of content, especially for those who enjoy methodical and immersive gameplay.
“You will be well rewarded with many hours of great quality gameplay.”
“The game is known for its challenging gameplay, requiring players to navigate through muddy, snowy, and rough terrains while completing various missions and tasks.”
“The variety of missions and the need for strategic planning in vehicle upgrades keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
“The gameplay could be a lot more streamlined and varied, but it's not quite there yet for me.”
“After 12 hours of gameplay, all vehicles and items I had accumulated were suddenly wiped upon rejoining the game.”
“The mechanics around multiplayer are really lacking as only the host benefits from completing certain in-game tasks.”
- grinding224 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to repeat the same tasks and routes multiple times. Many reviewers note that while the game can be enjoyable and rewarding, it demands a significant time investment, leading to frustration, especially when playing solo. Overall, players recommend it for those who appreciate slow-paced, grind-heavy gameplay, but caution that it may not be suitable for everyone due to its repetitive nature.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“This is just another tedious task grinder now.”
“The vehicles you start off with are verifiably awful and go against the core gameplay loop, so trying to play the game with these stock vehicles is tedious and painful, on purpose.”
“Driving anywhere is tedious as f***.”
- stability171 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players experience smooth gameplay on certain hardware, others face persistent glitches that hinder their enjoyment, leading to frustration and a lack of recommendation. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with calls for developers to prioritize fixing these issues over releasing additional content.
“My entire playthrough has been 90% bug-free.”
“Runs great on Linux and on not-so-good laptops and Steam Deck.”
“It runs great, plays great, and is a lot of fun.”
“Buggy and unplayable four years later.”
“No game in 2023 should require 10+ hours of troubleshooting to crash 90% of the time on a modern machine with updated drivers.”
“This game is so full of glitches and bugs it is almost unplayable.”
- music121 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as chill and atmospheric, enhancing the relaxing experience of gameplay without being intrusive. While some players appreciate the subtlety and variety of soundtracks across different regions, others find the music repetitive and prefer to listen to their own playlists or podcasts while playing. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a fitting complement to the game's beautiful visuals and slow-paced mechanics, making it ideal for casual, laid-back gaming sessions.
“The soundtrack is memorable and something I enjoy listening to outside of the game as well.”
“Each region has its own soundtrack that changes depending on the time of day.”
“The music is very chill and fitting.”
“The music is a bit lackluster and repetitive, but the best thing about this game is it is perfect to put on a podcast, watch a game, etc., and play while you do so.”
“The sound is a bit dodgy on some stages and the soundtrack is extremely southern; all I hear right now is a twangy guitar when it's quiet.”
“Music: almost non-existent.”
- optimization84 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on higher-end systems while others report significant issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and bugs that detract from the experience. Many users noted that performance can vary widely based on hardware and settings, and while some found it playable, others deemed it poorly optimized, especially on lower-end PCs and consoles. Overall, the game shows potential but requires further optimization to address the prevalent performance issues.
“The game's graphics are impressive, and in my opinion, the performance has been excellent so far.”
“It must be optimized well too because even on my basic PC build I never felt like I had to reduce particles, etc. to maintain frames and smoothness.”
“Great physics, graphics, and optimization!”
“Utter horsewaste performance.”
“Optimization is horrible on current gen consoles with no graphics options available other than basics.”
“The stuttering may very well be a me thing, but with the amount of newly created and bumped threads on stuttering help on many forums every time I search for it, it's clear I'm not the only one dealing with it and it's clearly not being addressed by the devs.”
- humor73 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -3 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its absurd situations and the unpredictable physics, leading to many hilarious moments, especially when playing with friends. Players often find themselves laughing at both their own mistakes and the game's quirks, such as glitches and exaggerated vehicle behavior, which enhance the overall enjoyment. While the game can be challenging and occasionally frustrating, the comedic elements make it a memorable and entertaining experience.
“The dark humor comes from the absurdity of the situations you find yourself in.”
“You'll be steering like a madman, fighting the elements, and laughing all the way!”
“The kind of challenge that will have you and your friends laughing your asses off because of one silly mistake that just cost you a half hour or more worth of work.”
“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.”
“The humor in this game feels forced and often falls flat, making moments that should be funny just awkward instead.”
“I expected some lighthearted moments, but the jokes are stale and the comedic timing is off, leaving me more confused than amused.”
- replayability33 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game boasts impressive replayability, driven by a vast selection of vehicles, numerous contracts, and a thriving mod community that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the open-world environments and diverse objectives, which contribute to an almost infinite replay value, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy immersive driving experiences. Overall, the combination of content and customization options ensures that players can invest significant time into the game.
“With a vast array of vehicles to unlock and customize, and numerous contracts and side missions, the game has significant replay value.”
“One of Snowrunner's standout features is its impressive replayability.”
“Snowrunner offers a high level of replayability with its vast open-world environments and multiple objectives to complete.”
“At this point, I am starting to think that even the Cities: Skylines multiplayer mod is more playable than this game, which is a pretty bold claim.”
“The mod community is what makes this game alive and more playable than the base game cars, trucks, and maps.”
“Very slow burn... difficult at the beginning but somehow grows more playable over time.”
- atmosphere28 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and serene qualities, enhanced by beautiful graphics and sound design that create a cozy, winter wonderland experience. Players appreciate the unique ambiance of each map, which combines a sense of bleak endurance with relaxing gameplay, making it enjoyable despite some repetitive elements. However, some reviewers noted that the environment could benefit from more dynamic life to enhance the realism.
“The sound design complements the visuals perfectly; the roar of engines, the crunch of snow under tires, and ambient sounds create an immersive 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.”
“The chill, take-your-time atmosphere this game fosters makes it really enjoyable, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a vehicle experience beyond the standard racing fare.”
“The atmosphere is one of bleak endurance.”
“The atmosphere 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.”
“The game has weather systems, but for atmosphere only; it doesn't affect the gameplay.”
- monetization16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as exploitative, with many reviewers labeling the numerous DLCs and yearly season passes as cash grabs that detract from the overall experience. Players express frustration over the focus on monetization rather than addressing existing gameplay issues, leading to a perception of the game as unpolished and lacking in value. Despite some appreciation for the base game, the overwhelming sentiment is that the monetization practices overshadow its potential.
“The monetization is a bit much, especially since there are DLCs that aren't part of the yearly passes.”
“The monetization scheme for this stain on this franchise is taken straight from the Paradox Interactive playbook.”
“Game itself is good, but the monetization here is super shady.”
“I understand having a DLC map or something like that, but every year a cash grab season pass?”
“Do not buy, great base game and kind of relaxing, but all DLCs are a cash grab.”
“It is a cash grab cloaked in a relaxing truck driving sim.”
- emotional15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, with many describing it as a wholesome and immersive experience that evokes feelings of happiness and calm. The combination of realistic physics and challenging gameplay creates a unique emotional connection, particularly for those who enjoy offroading and navigating tough terrains. However, some technical issues, such as vehicle physics inconsistencies, can detract from the overall emotional experience.
“Its attention to detail, realistic physics, and emotionally charged gameplay combine to create an addictive concoction.”
“Made me feel happy and calm.”
“As someone who loves offroading, I can say that SnowRunner has provided me with one of the most immersive and emotional gaming experiences I've ever had.”
