Maximum Overdrive Review

We are all different people. We like different things, enjoy different types of music. We eat different things, like different hows, and thrive in different types of weather.

We are children of diversity.

One thing that unequivocally true is that everyone – all people – are intrigued by the alien beings known as monster trucks, and Maximum Overdrive gives players charge of an armed version – plus the responsibility of battling through death matches.

The graphics are pleasantly glitzy; the several environments showcase the developer’s penchant for being able to highlight artistic perspective and use of lighting and corresponding virtual colors. The animations are cool, and one can almost taste the kicked-up dirt. When the optional sound effects are tossed in, it’s hard not to appreciate the complete package of sights and sounds.

When it comes to gameplay, off the bat I liked that I could get into the nitty-gritty with a minimum of interactions. As noted, this is mostly about destroying other combatants without being destroyed, and the tool at hand is a heavily weaponized truck on big wheels. The controls are virtual in nature, with buttons for shooting, accelerating, braking/reversing, and steering – the last of which can be switched to tilt or arrow control. With this, and after one picks the format (multiplayer vs single player), it’s off to the races.

Maximum Overdrive incorporates an adjusted first-person view through the windscreen and success is based somewhat on the reflexes that are needed to navigate the environments, take out fast-driving opponents, and to avoid their lethal fire. The concept is good, though one does get the feeling that an enemy location map overlay could be a good addition as sometimes it can be disconcerting to be fired on continually by unseen attackers.

Playing yields cash and experience; cash can be used to improve one’s truck, and early on it feels like such improvements are necessary. Although patient players can probably avoid the in-app purchases, which are available to expedite improvements.

The simple gameplay and online options are definitely positive. I think the control set could be refined somewhat, but is somewhat ameliorated by the options provided. All in all, Maximum Overdrive is a game worth checking out.