Snowrunner (PS5) – Review

When I first booted up SnowRunner, I was afraid it would be a clone of Farming Simulator 22. Even though I understand why some people prefer to spend their free time tending to virtual farms rather than playing other games, this is not my cup of tea. This is the first time I’ve ever played a SnowRunner video game. The initial launch took place in 2020, and at the time, I was completely uninterested. Given the current gaming drought, I was eager to try something new at this time of year and found SnowRunner to be an enjoyable surprise.

SnowRunner’s one-of-a-kind nature helps. Rather than running around on foot completing tasks for every random NPC, you’re driving around in a truck and battling your way through some challenging environments in this open-world game. SnowRunner’s primary focus is on your vehicle and your journey through the world.

This may sound tedious, but it’s actually quite enjoyable. There are only a handful of games out there that have taken this approach to gameplay. SnowRunner, on the other hand, is a refreshing change of pace. Perhaps this game will feel familiar to those who have played MudRunner, but if you’re a newbie to the series this is a great place to begin.

SnowRunner is primarily a mode of transportation. To test the wit and knowledge of your truck driving, each map and every road on each map has been meticulously crafted. While some tracks aren’t capable of traversing steep water, others aren’t able to handle off-road mud. In the mountains, some prefer to get stuck while others prefer to get stuck again and again in the mud. You spend a lot of time in the mud, I’m serious.

Many hours in SnowRunner were devoted to watching my truck’s back wheels turn slowly as I yanked it to a nearby tree in the vain hope that my front wheels would be pulled forward to help me out of the ditch. That time when I held my breath while watching the truck wheel slam into the barricade, only to injure it, will never be forgotten. Slower driving and the sound of a skew tyre spinning on concrete were the result of this.

When I completed each challenge, however difficult, I felt a huge sense of relief. SnowRunner may look like it was designed to make you lose your mind, but the difficulties are manageable, and getting the vehicle out of the swamp was a worthwhile use of your time. The game, of course, has your back. Because that’s how these simulators work, but it was wonderful when I managed to do the nearly impossible.

SnowRunner is also a very complex game. Don’t think you can just hop in a car and drive off into the woods. You must know how the game’s gear system works and when to use all-wheel drive or give up. It’s a sandbox game with large maps, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll get nowhere fast.

There are a few objectives on each map. Depending on where you live, these can differ greatly. The winch can be used for a variety of purposes, from rescuing a vehicle stuck in the mud to delivering building materials. During some of these objectives, I was also required to conduct extensive research. Exploration in this game, as in most others with a large open world, has its rewards. I discovered a variety of new vehicles and even a few side collectibles.

No particular order was required for completion, which was perfect for someone with a short attention span like myself. Having more time to learn about the stage and become familiar with its terrain was also a benefit of my newfound freedom. As the sun sets, the weather changes, and so does the stage’s terrain. Just when I thought I had a handle on a truck’s steering, it began to rain, which completely upended everything.

Alaska, on the other hand, is a tense place. A thick layer of snow blanketed the surface of this level. From the high peaks to the ice-covered lakes, the landscape is diverse. Everything around me had to be taken into consideration during the arduous drive.

Great job on SnowRunner as well. I mostly used the PS4 version, but on May 31st, I tried out the PS5 version as well. A significant improvement is provided by the new-generation model’s 4K 60FPS resolution and enhanced visuals. Improved textures, particularly on the ground, are also present. The fact that you spend a lot of time staring at the screen while playing definitely helps.

Some areas of the game could use a little extra TLC. The DualSense doesn’t support haptic feedback. Neither does it elicit a response. Drawing distance hasn’t improved much either; distant buildings still appear to be made of low polygons and have poor texture quality.

However, these issues aren’t game-changing. A console version of the game is best played on a PS5 or PS4. SnowRunner, on the other hand, has a plethora of DLC to choose from. Of which the base version does not include. More than 25 DLC packs are included in the two yearly subscriptions. New areas to explore are also included in a few of these. If you decide to buy this, you can expect to see only half of the game.

SnowRunner, despite a few minor annoyances, was an enjoyable experience. In the last few weeks, it has been one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played, and I highly recommend it. That’s coming from a non-simulator, by the way.

It was provided to us by Saber Interactive for the purpose of this review. The Xbox Series X/S and PS5 versions of the Xbox One and PS4 can be upgraded automatically and for free.