Spintires
- July 12, 2014
- Oovee Game Studios
- 21h median play time
Spintires is a simulation game that can be played solo or with up to 2 players in co-op mode. Gameplay involves collecting lumber and delivering it to objectives, using crane attachments, and winching yourself free from tough spots. The game boasts sensational graphics, atmospheric setting, and phenomenal replayability, but be prepared for bugs and grinding. The real-time deformable terrain provides a challenging experience for even the most seasoned off-roaders. Are you up for the task?
Reviews
- graphics619 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many users praising their impressive quality, especially considering the game's age. The visuals, including detailed terrain deformation and realistic water effects, contribute significantly to the immersive experience, making it a standout in the off-road simulation genre. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to run smoothly on lower-end hardware while still delivering stunning graphics.
“The graphics are stunning, the physics amazing and the gameplay challenging.”
“The graphics are beautiful, the way the terrain deforms and the mud and earth pile up when your truck's tires displace it is a wonder to behold!”
“The graphics, lighting and physics are really neat.”
“Personally, I don't think it's worth buying the game for the new DLCs, since the original graphics and physics haven't changed.”
“Very bad, thought it would be better; the graphics suck, they are terrible even.”
“The game forgets my graphic settings every time it starts, and the camera has a learning curve all its own.”
- gameplay373 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Spintires is characterized by its addictive off-road simulation mechanics, realistic physics, and beautiful environments, providing a unique and meditative experience for players. While many appreciate the depth and challenge of navigating difficult terrains and managing vehicle mechanics, some users express frustration with bugs, camera controls, and a lack of variety in objectives, which can lead to repetitive gameplay. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging core mechanics and modding community, though recent updates have raised concerns about stability and gameplay quality.
“The gameplay is pure and consistent, the landscapes are beautiful and the graphics are excellent, especially given the time of release. It's rather an old game, but a very good one that still gives me so many moments of relaxation and meditation while driving through a difficult road, calmed by the roaring of the motor of the coarse and simple but solid truck, admiring the beautiful nature...”
“Highlights: innovative gameplay, impressive physics, beautiful scenery and machinery – great game with lots of replay potential.”
“The gameplay is very rewarding as there are many ways to finish a map and you will be able to improve your skills by learning from past mistakes of getting stuck, rolling over, and running out of fuel, for example.”
“This game has many bugs which ruin the gameplay experience.”
“The last update (released on the 2nd August) completely broke the physics (as well as many mechanical systems) of the game; it is now wholly unplayable in its vanilla form.”
“Unfortunately, it's marred by clunky controls, little to no guidance as far as completing objectives (really just one objective - deliver some wood) or gameplay mechanics, and by far the worst camera angles you will ever encounter in a video game.”
- story179 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and variety, with many players noting that it primarily revolves around repetitive missions focused on transporting logs. While some enjoy the sandbox nature and the thrill of off-roading, they express a desire for more diverse missions, a coherent storyline, and improved gameplay mechanics. Overall, the consensus is that the game offers fun gameplay but falls short in delivering a compelling narrative or engaging mission structure.
“The intrigue of exploring the blank parts of the map, the thrill of pulling off a rescue mission to save one of your stuck vehicles, the pure joy of making it to the top of the steepest hill in the whole map – those are definitely worth it!”
“This game is packed with adventures that could take hours of time just to do a mission, but you have a lot of fun doing it.”
“You ford rivers and climb over mountains in your Soviet-era monster truck as you try to piece together the story.”
“The missions, whether it's the lumber delivery I talked about earlier, unlocking new vehicles hidden around the world, or revealing the map by driving near 'cloaking' points, are uninspiring.”
“It's as if they created a game and completely forgot to put any kind of story in it whatsoever.”
“If you're looking for a game with an in-depth storyline, this is not for you.”
- stability100 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. While some players note improvements in stability compared to previous versions, many still experience frustrating issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the consensus is that the game remains quite buggy and unpolished, leading to a mixed reception regarding its stability.
“Its a good game, runs great even on low-end PCs like mine.”
“This game, for the best, is 'complete' - it is bug free.”
“Wonderful graphics and runs great on anything other than a toaster.”
“I just picked it up and it is so buggy that I can't play it.”
“Amazing game but currently extremely buggy.”
“The game is full of glitches right off the bat.”
- humor54 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its physics and multiplayer interactions, leading to hilarious moments as players navigate challenging terrain and encounter amusing bugs. Many users highlight the fun of playing with friends, where shared struggles and mishaps—like getting stuck in mud or rolling trucks—create a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Overall, the game is described as a blend of frustration and laughter, making it a delightful time-killer, especially in cooperative play.
“It's quite challenging with all the dirt and muddy terrain changing beneath your tires as you drive over it, or having to make your truck a yellow submarine and try to ford across a deep river whilst delivering goods to a garage or finding other trucks, but it's also hilarious, if somewhat charming, to watch as your vehicle gets stuck in a certain muddy patch and you're struggling to get out.”
“Brings totally hilarious experiences in multiplayer, can't count the moments when I went short on breath from laughing.”
“The game is just hilarious as you go from blunder to blunder, stalling engines in every possible way for the first few hours.”
- grinding47 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely described as tedious and frustrating, often requiring significant time investment for tasks that can feel monotonous. While some players appreciate the slow-paced, simulation-style gameplay reminiscent of farming and trucking simulators, others find it excessively grindy and unenjoyable, leading to a polarized reception. Overall, the experience can be rewarding for those who embrace the challenge, but it may deter players seeking more dynamic or engaging gameplay.
“It's a bit grindy at times, but it adds to the overall experience.”
“Grinding can feel like one long, tedious process, yet it offers a sense of accomplishment.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding, but the rewards make it worthwhile.”
“I can see how some people would like this, but honestly for me it's just the most tedious and boring experience.”
“It is tedious, long, and downright frustrating at times.”
“This game is a brutal, frustrating, tedious experience.”
- replayability39 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag. While many players appreciate the variety offered by modding, different vehicles, and multiplayer options, some feel that the limited number of maps and objectives can diminish replay value. However, the engaging physics and dynamic terrain contribute to a satisfying experience that encourages players to return.
“Despite this game's age, it still has the charm and replayability. The recent DLC brought me back, as modding is abundant for this game, with maps, vehicles, etc.”
“The game has some replay value even if there aren't that many maps, because we can redo the same maps with different trucks, making it a totally different experience each time.”
“The game 'feels' very good, with tons of variety and limitless routes that keep the replayability high. Playing online with others only adds to the experience.”
“Spintires has no workshop for maps, only vehicles, so you won't have as much replayability as Mudrunner has, which is a real bummer.”
“A great game, however it requires a lot more as its replayability is kind of low, except for multiplayer when you can help each other get out of the mud and so on.”
“The camera is awkward and can be frustrating, and there is only one real objective; delivering lumber, and beyond that the game does little to keep you entertained, and has very little replay value.”
- optimization37 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game receives mixed reviews. While many players report smooth performance and good frame rates, particularly on lower-end systems, others experience significant frame drops and performance issues, indicating that the game may not be consistently optimized across all setups. Some users highlight the impressive graphics and physics, but frustrations with bugs and lack of support detract from the overall experience.
“The game itself is well optimized and has good graphics.”
“It is an amazingly well optimized piece of code, that makes this game unique in its clash with the environment.”
“The set pieces are elegantly laid out, and wrapped up into a finely optimized game engine that can produce breathtaking visuals without ever dropping below 60 frames per second.”
“I do have a powerhouse of a machine to run this game, and still, I get low FPS due to poor optimization from time to time.”
“Game is poorly finished, poorly optimized; development became a joke, most of the trucks are garbage, no support, and no player base to justify trying it.”
“It's clunky, looks terrible, poorly optimized, so while I'll get a smooth 60 FPS in Spintires, in this I am lucky to get 30 and luckier to get a stable 3.”
- music18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's music aspect is largely absent, with many players opting to play their own playlists or podcasts in the background, as the game features minimal in-game music. While some appreciate the natural sounds and engine roars, others express a desire for a more engaging soundtrack, noting that the only notable audio is a jarring guitar riff during achievements. Overall, the lack of music is seen as a missed opportunity, with players often filling the silence with their own choices.
“A nice little offroading sim that I can use to unwind while listening to music or podcasts in the background.”
“We all designated our roles and whacked some trucking music on, filled with joy for our journey.”
“The soundtrack from Spintires made me want the game as well, you know the one from the release trailer... really really really cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“No music for long distances.”
“There's no music and it doesn't need any.”
“However, you're going to want to play some kind of music to fill in the empty audio spaces this game can have.”
- atmosphere17 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and detailed environments, effectively capturing the essence of wild nature and the nostalgic feel of vintage Russian trucks. Players appreciate the realistic handling, atmospheric sounds, and engaging graphics that enhance the overall experience, making it a relaxing and addictive gameplay choice. Despite some criticisms related to updates, the continuous addition of content helps maintain a captivating atmosphere.
“It has a nice atmosphere and a detailed environment.”
“Great atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere of this game will make you feel the actual pure wild nature.”
“There are also atmospheric sounds, like woodpeckers as the sun rises early in the morning and crickets and owls in the evening and overnight.”
“If your computer can handle it, this game has some very appealing graphics and a charming natural atmosphere juxtaposing your roaring truck.”
- monetization9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of Mudrunner has been widely criticized as a cash grab, with many reviewers noting its lack of originality and the presence of unresolved bugs from its predecessor, Spintires. Players feel that the game was rushed to market primarily for profit, with minimal new content and poor ongoing support, leading to disappointment over its pricing and overall value. However, a minority of users defend the game's quality, arguing that it should not be labeled a cash grab.
“Mudrunner is a cash grab; they were so in a hurry to make a few bucks that the developers signed up with a new publisher and released an almost identical product. Mudrunner is basically copy and paste of all the assets from Spintires.”
“Development is stopped on PC, and the only thing in the works is a poor console port cash grab.”
“This game is just a cash grab mockery; charging $30 for this is a joke. The free demo of Fuel has more content!”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional connection to the game, expressing feelings of empathy for characters and a sense of nostalgia. The impactful trailer evokes deep emotions, with some players feeling heartbroken yet fulfilled, highlighting a blend of sadness and joy throughout their experience. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotions, leaving players feeling both exhausted and accomplished.
“I want to know who made that trailer for the game, it almost made me cry.”
“That is really heartbreaking :(”
“I felt emotionally exhausted at the end of it, and felt a real sense of achievement.”