Monster Jam Showdown by Milestone S.r.l. is the developer’s latest racing title, one that attempts to bring the exhilarating world of monster truck racing and freestyle to today’s systems including the PlayStation 5. It combines a mix of off-road racing, stunts, and chaotic destruction, and while fans of the franchise will immediately recognize the iconic trucks like Grave Digger and Megalodon, the game also aims to appeal to a broader audience with its arcade-style gameplay and variety of game modes. Here’s our take on the game.
The premise of Monster Jam Showdown is straightforward: players can jump into the cockpit of some of the most famous monster trucks (as well as plenty we had never heard of) and race through a variety of tracks and environments, from stadiums to open landscapes. The game’s Showdown Tour acts as the primary mode, where players advance through different events, unlocking new trucks, liveries, and perks as they go. The non-linear progression allows for some freedom in choosing your path, which adds a nice touch of variety and player choice to the experience.
Gameplay is where Monster Jam Showdown both shines and falters. The arcade-style driving mechanics are easy to pick up, making the game accessible for newcomers and younger players. The dual-steering setup, while unconventional, offers a unique challenge that captures the difficulty of maneuvering these massive trucks – which is going to feel different than your typical racing game. Performing stunts like wheelies and flips is satisfying, especially in Freestyle mode, where you’re encouraged to push the limits of what’s possible. However, the controls can sometimes feel imprecise, particularly during tight turns or when trying to recover from a stunt gone wrong, which can lead to frustration during more challenging races when the pressure’s on.
One of the game’s strongest aspects is its variety of modes. Beyond traditional races, Monster Jam Showdown offers Horde races, Figure 8 tracks, and trick-based modes like Extreme Freestyle. This diversity helps keep the gameplay fresh, and the inclusion of split-screen multiplayer is a welcome feature that adds to the game’s replayability, especially for those looking to compete with friends locally. However, despite the variety, the events can start to feel repetitive after a while, particularly due to the limited number of tracks and the lack of deeper customization options for the trucks.
Visually, Monster Jam Showdown is a mixed bag. The trucks themselves are well-rendered and look true to their real-life counterparts, with detailed liveries and impressive destruction effects that capture the raw power of these machines. On the other hand, the environments – while diverse and ranging from dusty deserts to icy landscapes – lack the polish and detail seen in other racing games on the PlayStation 5. The stadiums, in particular, feel somewhat lifeless and ‘samey’, with crowds that lack the energy and excitement you’d expect from a monster truck event. The weather effects, like sandstorms and blizzards, do add some visual flair, but they’re not enough to elevate the overall graphical presentation beyond something you could associate with the last console generation.
The audio experience in Monster Jam Showdown is similarly hit or miss. The roar of the engines and the crunch of metal as trucks collide are satisfying, but the soundtrack leaves much to be desired. The music, while fitting for the arcade vibe of the game, quickly becomes repetitive, and the lack of variety in the audio cues can make longer play sessions feel monotonous – we ended up lowering the volume on the music.
Overall, Monster Jam Showdown delivers on its promise of bringing the excitement of monster truck racing and stunts to the PlayStation 5, but it falls short of becoming a must-play title. The game’s accessible controls and variety of modes make it an enjoyable experience, especially for younger players and fans of the Monster Jam franchise. However, the repetitive gameplay, lackluster visuals, and inconsistent controls prevent it from standing out in the crowded racing genre. For die-hard Monster Jam fans, Showdown is good fun – but it won’t be for everyone.
Score: 7.0/10
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