Overpass 2 is a challenging title that isn’t for the faint of heart. This racing game pushes boundaries and is sometimes unfairly cruel as a result. However, it is this tough gameplay that makes it oddly moreish and somewhat rewarding. Furthermore, it doesn’t follow the classic genre tropes and this makes it refreshing if not a little bizarre.
This racing title was developed by Neopica and published by Nacon. Moreover, it has a distinct business management element and there are plenty of game modes to get your teeth into. Additionally, there are customisation options to appease any petrolheads. As such, this will appeal to a wide range of gamers.
Overpass 2 lacks an original story.
Much of the action focuses on career mode. Yet, there is an unfortunate lack of originality and this was disappointing. Yet, if you can put this to one side, you’ll enjoy the depth and difficulty of what is to come. What’s more, the range of vehicles and the interesting track designs offer enough to keep you coming back for more.
During the career mode, you are asked to run a team and achieve a range of goals. Additionally, you’ll have sponsors to appease and a range of staff to hire. Accordingly, there is a fine balance between running your team and being successful behind the wheel. This layer of difficulty will not appease everyone. The challenging environment and brutal AI ensure that nothing is straightforward. Moreover, the sense of failure at every turn can be stomach-churning. As such, you need a strong resolve if you wish to make it to the top.
3 vehicles and plenty of races.
I adore the nuances of each vehicle you select. Furthermore, when you combine this with the interesting and often harsh driving conditions, you are often pushed out of your comfort zone. ATVs, UTVs, or Rock Bouncers must be used to traverse some truly epic courses. Alongside this, there are off-road sprints, hill climbs, obstacle courses, and more to tackle as you appease your sponsors.
Talking of sponsors, they must be kept happy if you are to be a success. With race and season goals to aim towards, it isn’t easy hitting every task. Yet, this additional focus adds another challenging element to a high-energy title.
Once you complete each task, you can use your hard-earned cash to improve your vehicles or hire new staff. This is essential if you wish to push up through the ranks and challenge tougher opponents. Subsequently, there is a balanced gameplay approach that doesn’t allow you to rush to the end game.
Skill trees and big-named manufacturers.
Overpass 2 ups the ante further as you unlock skills across a vast range of categories. As you level up, you’ll be able to upgrade your character to improve a swathe of skills and abilities. Whether you wish to earn more money, speed up your R&D, or improve your driving technique, they all give you that race-winning edge.
On top of this, there is an impressive selection of big-name manufacturers. Suzuki, Arctic Cat, Yamaha, and more are available across the 3 vehicle categories. Accordingly, you’ll select the ATV, UTV, or Rock Bouncer of your dreams.
Overpass 2 looks great.
The racing genre is going from strength to strength. As such, the levels of realism are scary! Thankfully, Overpass 2 doesn’t buck this trend as it looks great. No matter which track you traversed, the visuals were impressive. Moreover, the animation of each moving vehicle part was incredible. What’s more, the attention to detail and the lighting impressed me. As such, I loved each trouble-free and smooth racing experience.
The audio was unfortunately obnoxious. The loud and often overbearing engine noises were off-putting and annoying. Consequently, the game lacked oomph as I had to crank the sound down to a minimum. Had the developers taken a different approach, the end product would have been more pleasant and more realistic.
Fantastic controls.
With so many obstacles to avoid, the control system had to be accurate and responsive. Thankfully, Overpass 2 didn’t disappoint. Whether you were tackling tight corners or changing your drive system, you knew that the controls wouldn’t let you down. Additionally, I loved how each vehicle was unique to drive and that every race type was unusual and tough to master. Yet, if you can stomach the harsh learning curve, you’ll enjoy a rewarding racing experience.
This genre is renowned for its replay value and longevity. Subsequently, if you fall for its tough charms, you’ll adore the depth and the vehicles on offer. On top of this, depending on which sponsor you select, you’ll endure different goals and an array of unique results. As such, each playthrough is different and this will keep you coming back for more.
Overpass 2 is perfect if you want something different.
If you love the genre but are bored with the usual tropes, then Overpass 2 could reignite your spark. This breaks the mould thanks to the unusual gameplay and the interesting level designs. However, its challenging gameplay and the tough learning curve will put off potential gamers. Accordingly, this won’t be for everyone. Yet, I liked it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you master this tough racing title? Select your manufacturer, hire your team, and overcome every obstacle.
