4x4 Evo 2 XBOX Review

Scrapping the dust and dirt off of this one. I never played the original 4x4 Evo but i have played the 2nd one. This is a review about such game.

Gameplay: 4x4 Evo 2 is a racing game using licensed vehicles from auto manufacturers Chevorlet, Dodge, GMC, Infinite, Jeep, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota. And there are a truck (pun intended) load of upgrades for them as well.

Game modes: Quick Race: Take any truck from from the game (or one of your own from the career mode) and choose from 3 different upgrade levels. Class 1 is stock or barely upgraded, Class 2 is with low too mid-tier modifications made and Class 3 is fully upgraded race ready trucks.

Career: The goal here is too make the fastest truck possible. This isn't hard too do. You begin the mode with 30,000$ and must purchase a stock truck. You can enter races with it in is stock form but it will not perform very well. the more money you earn the better your vehicle will get. Races vary from qualifier races too unlock other longer race series too series themselves. Some are very long and take a while too complete. The money won here can be used too upgrade your truck or buy another one. You can also drive for teams but you must have a truck that they race themselves. You do not have too join a team but you'll lose out on team parts that an drastically upgrade performance and can give you access too team race ready trucks that are VERY expensive. The only tip i can give is budget your money at first. Buy the cheapest 4WD truck you can and go from there. Once you get enough money then go on a spending spree. However your money will disappear rather quickly if you aren't careful. You also can not stick with one truck for all of Career mode. You must buy many too fully complete the mode. There are over 112 of them, so you have choices. If want a challenge, buy a 2WD truck.

Missions: Here you take tasks of finding things are a variety of locations. This section is unrelated too racing. Here you an also earn money and quite a lot of it. Most of the missions aren't that hard. However some are very hard. Each mission gives you a map of the area you are too explore and find things. The areas are rather big and you can get lost or find it hard too your objective but the scenery isn't that bad too look at. The first series of missions you should do the "Obstacle Park" Missions. These help you understand your truck better and how too drive it in certain situations as well as give you money too help upgrade your truck further.

Free Roam: This game isn't linear. Meaning there are many ways too complete races. Though there are checkpoints you must go through but the ways too get too them are vast. Even on Missions, there is no set path. Go exploring!

Upgrades: There are a lot of ways too upgrade your truck.
Appearance: Lets you make your truck look the part while racing or on missions. But may effect weight and aerodynamics.
Brakes: Helps slow your truck down. 
Chassis: Helps your truck handle better and also can make it lighter.
Drivetrain: Upgrade your transmission too a race one for the ability too set gear ratios. Also can help improve traction, top speed and acceleration.
Electronics: Helps increase HP.
Engine: Helps increase HP and torque.
Lights: Come here for upgraded lighting too increase visibility.
Suspension: Buy lift kits for increased suspension travel and ground clearance.
Tires: Buy bigger tires for increased ground clearance and traction.

Some of the upgrades are from real life parts makers like Safari Snorkel and ARB.

Time Attack: Set a time yourself or go against a ghost.

Physics and graphics: The game is very arcade-ish. Trucks take no damage and can drive up hills that would otherwise be impossible in a more realistic game. You can also get stuck on rocks like in real life without proper upgrades too your truck. However the suspension movement is very nice and well done. The game hasn't aged well at all. It was one of the early releases on the PS2, Gamecube and XBOX. But the levels look like they had some thought put into them.

Difficulty: The game match upgrades you put on your truck on the trucks you are racing. However the AI racers can be ruthless and ram you for no reason what so ever. They also show short cuts if you follow them. The AI also can get stuck on some track areas, making it easy too beat them.

Sound: All the Trucks sound the same. There is no difference what so ever. The music is nice though. The terrain gives different sounds like when on roads, snow or dirt. There are 14 different song that play when you race.

Overall Opinion: If your a casual racer you'll enjoy this game for what it is. If hardcore then i'd avoid it because of the graphics haven't aged well, the AI and sound. Give the game a solid B grade. Could it use a remake? Well if someone who could pay for the license for the auto manus, work on the AI problems, update the graphics then yeah. You could also remake the 1st one as well and put them together in a bundle.

My other video game reviews:
Arcana Heart 3 PS3 Review
Burnout 3 Takedown Review
Ring of Red PS2 Review
Hot Shots Golf World Inventational Review