What this means, essentially, is that, as in the previous title, you drive your big rig from town to town, buying and selling goods at the best prices. Along the way you’ll have to contend with the police, bikers, hobos, and the occasional UFO attack. As you drive, you can also pick up specific shipping missions, as well as side quests (like picking up hobos and dropping ‘em off, like a weird 18-wheeled taxi) all in your effort to raise money to clear your momma’s not-so-good name.

As trucking games go, this is about a simplistic as they get. Buy wares at point A, drive to point B, sell wares at point B, and repeat. If the cops or renegade bikers get in your way and try to take you down, you can just swing the cab of your truck around and knock ‘em back. Don’t let them steal your cargo or bust you, that’s less money you’ll have to bribe folk with.

Just about every redneck stereotype you can think of is here (including ones from the first game) from slack-jawed yokels to big breasted cousins, to inbreeding and the awe of “big city life”, its here. The comedy is loose and fun, though the voice acting is a bit weird in places. They don’t quite flow the way a conversation would, with a slight pause as the next character reacts. Still, the dialogue is funny, and you’re sure to get a chuckle out of a few things here.

The only drawback to the title is that it’s not really all that difficult. Sure, it takes a bit of figuring to see which goods should be bought and sold where, but beyond that, the driving isn’t very fast, and the action is minimal. Still, it is in the niche market of 18-Wheeler games, and as such, fills the void in that market nicely. The only real challenge is keeping your rig on the road at a tight turn at high speeds. This is no BURNOUT.

At $20, it’s a fun diversion from the normal racing games, as this is more a race for cash than against the clock (though one is ticking for your dear sweet momma). Colorful graphics, fun characters, and silly storylines will have you trucking along for a good bit, until you get bored with the simple cash fetch quests. Still, just like momma, you get what you pay for.

One Gamer’s Opinion:

WWE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

Firstly, the one weird thing about this game is that you cannot transfer your old wrestler from the previous title to the new game, despite it picking up that character’s storyline. Still, the Create-A-Superstar mode here is fantastic, and every level of customization imaginable will have you looking like…well, you. The graphics are the best in a wrestling series yet, and I know I say that with every new WWE game, but THQ really does improve with each title’s graphics. Realistic facial animations and physiques, and no more of that “glistening with sweat” sheen that the character’s had last time (or in WRESTLEMANIA XXI) all highlight this title’s looks.

The play control is also somewhat improved, with character response increased for better reaction time. There’s an all new tutorial mode, which explains the move set better than any I’ve ever seen in a wrestling game (have I ever seen a tutorial in a wrestling game?). It’s a big help if you’re unfamiliar with the light and heavy strikes, as well as the ins and outs of specific matches such as Ladder Matches or Hell in a Cell. It’d be nice if the instruction manual had all this info too, but the tutorials are a big advantage. They will certainly help you become acclimated with the game’s more strategic fight system, as usage of its light and heavy grapples and strikes will definitely change the outcome of each match.

The story mode is once again the biggest appeal of the game, however, offering up a storyline befitting the WWE. However, as I said, the inability to import you character from the previous game is a bit of a letdown. Still, the robust Create-A-Superstar mode will have your character ready for the big time in no time. When it gets down to the action, the story mode divides up the different gameplay modes well, and offers many unlockable arenas and characters throughout gameplay.

The Exhibition mode is also well done, with the usual array of match types. Up to four players can lock arms and grapple their way through bouts, and it all flows quite well from each match. There’s a new submission system implemented here where, though the c-stick, you choose which type of submission hold you’ll use. As you choose, your opponent has to choose as well. If they guess what you’ll use, they’ll break the hold. It’s an interesting way of evening the odds.

Throughout the matches, you’ll have two factors weighing in on your performance. There’s you stamina, and your heart-rate. Execute good hits and grapples, and your heart-rate rises, giving you an edge over your opponent. Likewise, if you get the stuffing knocked out of you, your hear-rate will drop, allowing you to be pinned easier. However, don’t go in just wildly beating your opponent, as that will decrease your stamina and tie you out. It’s the careful balance of these two elements that can really influence the outcome of each match-up.

While it’s not the most perfect game (there could be some voice work, the roster is only 45 characters compared to the upcoming SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2006’s 50+, and the menu screens load times are a bit to contend with) it’s certainly the best wrestling game on the Gamecube, and one of the most well polished ones for any console. Definitely one fans on the ‘cube will want to pick up.

One Gamer’s Opinion:

QUICKSHOT OF THE WEEK

One Gamer’s Opinion:

I would be remiss if I closed out this week’s column if I didn’t weigh in with my opinion on the new controller for Nintendo’s upcoming console, the Revolution. For those of you who haven’t seen it:

Yes, that’s right. THAT’s the new controller. Yes, I realize it looks like a DVD remote. The thing is, apparently, it works on movement of the controller itself, with gyros and such. It’s basically like using a mouse in 3D space. If you want to turn your character left, for example, you would just turn your wrist (holding the controller, obviously) to the left. There’s also a plug in for the bottom of this “controller” that allows an analog stick attachment, reportedly for FPS’. You move the character with the analog stick, and you aim with the remo…erm, controller.

This brings one of two things to mind. Either Nintendo is fascinatingly brilliant and will attract a whole new breed of niche gaming, or they’ve completely lost their fucking minds. Sadly, it’s too soon to say which, as we don’t have any software to see how this thing truly performs. One thing is certain, however. For first party development, no one has been able to touch Nintendo. Granted, they aren’t the 800 lb. Gorilla they used to be, but their own titles still out shine the competitions as far as quality and playability. That said, I’m sure Nintendo will come up with some amazing games that will utilize this new peripheral. However, with the wacky control scheme comes a future problem: development and support from third party publishers. Somehow, I don’t think you’ll be able to play MADDEN with this thing, nor do I think EA will develop a new control scheme version of MADDEN for use on the Revolution, when they can just mass market one for the other consoles. So, in that respect, Nintendo may have eliminated a good deal of third party support.

However, there are also those adventurous developers that may still want to jump on board with this. Capcom has been delving into the niche gaming area, and a sequel to their upcoming calligraphy game OKAMI is a shoe-in for use with this. I’m sure FINAL FANTASY developer Square-Enix will come up with some new game to specifically utilize this and bring over the rabid RPG-ers who want to swing swords in real time. There are always new gaming peripherals, from drums, to dance pads, to light guns, so why not moving a stick in the air? I just hope the selection of games isn’t as limited as it is for those other “controllers”.

That, and I really hope it doesn’t turn into another Power Glove.

With that, we close another column. My MORTAL KOMBAT Video Games 101 feature has been postponed until next week, as I’m still awaiting the newest title, SHAOLIN MONKS. Until then, friends, Game on!

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