RoadCraft is a MudRunner offshoot that focuses on building, exploring, and an impressive arsenal of vehicles. Moreover, there are plenty of incredible worlds to explore as you piece together bridges, roads, and a host of other broken structures. If you love MudRunner or SnowRunner, this should be on your radar. There are plenty of familiar mechanics, but the dev has done a great job of simplifying the core elements. Consequently, there is no fall damage, and a stalling engine is the worst that can happen.
This open-world sandbox experience was developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment. It is a single-player and online cooperative title. Cross-play makes the latter option more enjoyable and open. However, I struggled to find suitable lobbies to join, and this was a little frustrating. I’m hoping that the fanbase expands, as online gameplay is where this will excel.
RoadCraft deals with mountains of destruction.
The single-player mode is split across 8 campaigns. Some share the same map, whereas others move to a unique location. This blend of arenas was fantastic, but learning new routes and beginning again was a little trying. RoadCraft demands you help the locals as they rebuild their lives. Their houses, businesses, and infrastructure are ruined. Hurricanes, flooding, landslides, and more test your patience and resolve.
As you venture to a new location, you must gather your thoughts and bearings. I was instantly struck by a sense of disorientation and confusion. Roads are non-existent, and traversing the countryside is challenging to say the least. Consequently, you require a calm mindset if you wish to complete every mission.
Repair, collect, and deliver.
RoadCraft wants you to master a host of giant vehicles as you piece together every town. Diggers, trucks, mulchers, Land Rovers, flatbeds, and more are at your disposal. As you progress, you’ll unlock new bases, factories, and areas that need your help. Bridges must be constructed and roads relaid. Additionally, you can tackle side quests if you wish to earn more cash and reputation points.
Cash is used to buy resources and new vehicles. Though key items are unlocked, you can purchase shiny new ones to improve your fleet and make exploring the world much easier. Every path requires you to create a plan. Racing ahead is not advised, as your truck or flatbed will become trapped. If you are lucky, you can winch yourself out of trouble. However, things are rarely this simple, and you’ll end up on your side requiring a recovery truck.
RoadCraft looks great.
Visually, the developer has done an incredible job. Consequently, RoadCraft is a joy to look at. Whether it is a cold industrial area, a grim swamp, or a lush woodland, it is fascinating to explore. Moreover, the paths move and slide as each vehicle passes over them. These ruts become a permanent feature and make crossing the path that little bit harder. Lighting, harsh weather, and internal and external cameras create a sense of depth while bringing the game to life.
The audio is a fine blend of calm music and shrill engines. Furthermore, the sound effects are great! The squelch of mud, cracking of wood, and stunning ambient sounds create a brilliant atmosphere. Every vehicle has a distinct noise, keeping things fresh.
Complex controls but easy to master.
Unsurprisingly, RoadCraft has a complex set of controls. Every crane and vehicle requires a deft touch. Moreover, there are plenty of routes to plan as you move goods from A to B. Theoretically, this should have been messy and uncomfortable to play, but it wasn’t. The easy-to-navigate UI keeps you on top of every task. Furthermore, the button layout is intuitive, and this makes it great to play on console.
Every stage has plenty of things to discover. This assists the sandbox mindset and keeps you exploring. If you are only interested in the core story, there are plenty of objectives to keep you busy. What’s more, there are side quests to entertain you. If this doesn’t float your boat, you can collect scrap and turn it into resources. Subsequently, there is plenty of replay value and longevity.
RoadCraft is a great game.
Though RoadCraft is time-consuming and often overwhelming, I loved every minute. One disaster rolls into another, and you must think on your feet. Planning routes, moving enormous vehicles, and gathering resources are the least of your concerns. This incredible sandbox game will test your patience in more ways than one. Failure, mountains of mud, and tough decisions face you at every corner. However, careful planning and playing with friends help to overcome every obstacle. I think it’s great and I recommend buying it here! Can you help rebuild society? Scout each area, rebuild the infrastructure, and overcome every disaster.
