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MONSTER

Monster Jam Showdown

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Monster Jam Showdown
Item: Monster Jam Showdown
Author: MonsterCritic Editorial Team

2024

GenresSingle Player, Racing

AvailableAug 29, 2024

PlatformXbox Series X, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch

DeveloperMilestone S.r.l

Overview

To deliver the feeling and excitement of mastering 1,500 horsepower mechanical machines, Monster Jam Showdown will feature arcade gameplay endowed with comprehensive and customisable driving aids.

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Game analysis

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Story and Narrative

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story and narrative

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Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

67%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

33%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Monster Jam Showdown receives widespread praise for its engaging mechanics, variety, and accessibility. IGN highlights the "drift-heavy driving feel," "wild range of stunts," and "great damage effects," while also noting the unique independent rear-wheel steering and stunt controls that allow for creative trick combinations. XboxEra and Checkpoint Gaming both commend the game’s tight, accessible design, with the latter praising its diverse environments like Death Valley and Alaskan fjords. GamersRD and GameSpew emphasize intuitive controls and a mix of modes—races, freestyle, head-to-head, and challenges—that keep the experience dynamic. GamingBolt and GINX TV applaud the realistic driving physics, arcade-like accessibility, and innovative dual-steering system, which adds depth for seasoned players. Additionally, Push Square praises the use of DualSense features and weather effects, while Impulsegamer notes the game’s ease of entry with simple controls and varied tricks. However, several critics point to notable flaws that detract from the experience. IGN criticizes the "harsh interaction with crush cars," which discourages players from using them, while Checkpoint Gaming finds parts of the campaign "aimless" and content unlocking overly time-consuming. Meristation mentions repetitive gameplay due to physics issues, and Vooks highlights frustrating AI behavior and collision mechanics in racing modes. Impulsegamer also notes that outdoor courses can become chaotic with crowded tracks, and the lack of course diversity limits long-term appeal. These critiques suggest that while the game’s core systems are strong, its structure and technical polish fall short in certain areas, particularly in balancing challenge and enjoyment. Overall, critics agree that Monster Jam Showdown delivers a fun, accessible, and technically impressive gameplay experience with a focus on stunt-driven action and variety. The dual-steering mechanics, physics, and customization options are frequently praised as standout features, while the game’s arcade-style accessibility ensures it appeals to a broad audience. However, issues like repetitive elements, uneven campaign design, and occasional technical hiccups—such as physics inconsistencies or AI flaws—prevent it from being a flawless experience. Despite these drawbacks, the consensus leans heavily toward positive, with many reviewers highlighting its potential as a thrilling, if imperfect, entry in the monster truck genre.

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gameplay mechanics

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Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

67%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

33%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The graphics and visual design of Monster Jam Showdown receive widespread praise for their technical execution and attention to detail. Critics highlight the game’s use of Unreal Engine 5, which delivers stunning environments, realistic lighting, and dynamic weather effects. IGN commends the "impressive detail in truck designs," including scuffed paint and damage effects that add authenticity, while Checkpoint Gaming notes the "stunning environments" and improved truck handling. GamersRD applauds the "detailed truck models" and "dynamic elements like dirt accumulation," and GameSpew praises the unique locations in Death Valley, Colorado, and Alaska. XboxEra emphasizes the game’s "crisp, shiny" visuals and strong particle effects on Xbox Series X, while GINX TV and Push Square highlight the "superb lighting, reflections, and weather effects" alongside stylish menus and camera angles. These elements collectively create a visually immersive experience that aligns with modern gaming standards. However, several critics point to notable shortcomings in visual variety and technical polish. IGN and GamingBolt both criticize the lack of diversity in stadium and arena designs, noting that tracks feel repetitive. Meristation mentions "some visual artifacts," while Vooks highlights the "blurry and jaggy visuals" on Nintendo Switch due to low resolution. Additionally, GamersRD notes "occasional visual glitches in puddles," and GamingBolt points to a general lack of track variety. These issues suggest that while the game’s technical foundation is strong, its creative direction in environmental design and platform-specific optimization could be improved. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive, with most praising Monster Jam Showdown for its impressive use of Unreal Engine 5, detailed vehicle models, and dynamic visual effects. The game’s ability to balance realism with stylized presentation—such as God is a Geek’s observation of "bright and brash" aesthetics reminiscent of early 2000s extreme sports games—resonates well. While critiques about limited track variety and technical glitches persist, these are seen as minor drawbacks against the backdrop of a visually robust and engaging experience. The game succeeds in delivering a compelling visual package that appeals to fans of the genre, even if it doesn’t fully capitalize on its technical potential across all platforms.

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graphics and visual design

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Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

14%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

57%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

29%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The sound design and music of Monster Jam Showdown receive mixed but generally positive feedback from critics, with several reviewers highlighting its energetic and immersive audio elements. GamersRD praises the game’s heavy rock and metal soundtrack, noting its Latin Spanish dubbing and the presence of a narrator for guidance, which adds a unique cultural flavor. Impulsegamer commends the "strong audio" and "authentic monster truck sounds," while God is a Geek acknowledges the effective portrayal of crashes, engine roars, and environmental details like mud churning. Additionally, GINX TV appreciates the lively commentator who reacts dynamically to player actions, enhancing the game’s atmosphere. These positives suggest that the game successfully captures the high-octane energy of monster truck competitions through its audio design. However, several critics point to significant shortcomings in the music and sound design. GamingBolt criticizes the "generic and repetitive music," noting that all trucks sound identical, which undermines variety and engagement. Vooks describes the music as "irritating" and highlights how engine noises become monotonous when the soundtrack is disabled. God is a Geek also finds the soundtrack "lacking and not memorable," expressing a desire for a fully licensed soundtrack instead of original tracks. Meristation mentions the lack of musical variety, while GINX TV notes that repetitive dialogue can detract from the experience. These critiques collectively suggest that while the game’s audio elements are functional, they fail to deliver a cohesive or distinctive auditory identity. Overall, the consensus leans toward a balanced but somewhat underwhelming assessment of Monster Jam Showdown’s sound design and music. While critics like Impulsegamer and GamersRD appreciate specific aspects such as authentic truck sounds and cultural localization, the majority express frustration with repetition, lack of variety, and an unmemorable soundtrack. GamingBolt’s and Vooks’ critiques underscore a disconnect between the game’s ambition and its execution in audio design, particularly in comparison to other racing or action titles. Despite these issues, the game’s energetic commentary and immersive sound effects provide enough merit to keep the experience engaging for fans of the genre, even if it falls short of excellence in musical innovation.

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Voice Acting

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Technical Performance

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Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

83%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The reviewers generally acknowledge that Monster Jam Showdown offers a commendable amount of content and variety, which contributes positively to its replay value. IGN highlights the game’s diverse truck selection, unlockable liveries, and adjustable difficulty levels, making it accessible to a broad audience. GINX TV emphasizes the extensive campaign with 130 events, multiple game modes, and a lengthy career mode, while Checkpoint Gaming notes that the variety of races and challenges provides sustained engagement. Push Square also praises the numerous objectives and online multiplayer as key factors in keeping players invested. These elements suggest that the game’s depth and breadth of content cater to both casual and dedicated fans, offering enough diversity to justify repeated playthroughs for those who enjoy its core mechanics. However, several critics point to significant drawbacks that diminish long-term replayability. XboxEra and Meristation criticize the repetitive nature of gameplay due to limited biomes and track configurations, while GamingBolt and Impulsegamer highlight a lackluster Showdown mode, generic truck handling, and insufficient differentiation between vehicles. Vooks mentions that unlocking trucks requires tedious grinding, and the story mode’s repetitive events further erode enjoyment. Additionally, GameSpew notes convoluted progression systems and limited single-player content, while GINX TV acknowledges that the limited locations may lead to monotony despite planned DLC. These critiques collectively suggest that the game’s reliance on repetition and lack of innovation in core mechanics could frustrate players seeking deeper or more varied experiences. The overall consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward a balanced assessment: Monster Jam Showdown has enough content and variety to appeal to fans of the genre, particularly those who enjoy its accessible gameplay and multiplayer features. However, its repetitive structure, lack of meaningful progression, and generic design elements may limit its longevity for broader audiences. While IGN, GINX TV, and Push Square highlight the game’s potential for replayability through its extensive content and modes, others like GamingBolt and Impulsegamer caution that these positives are offset by a lack of innovation and engagement. Ultimately, the game seems to cater best to dedicated Monster Jam enthusiasts who prioritize variety over depth, but it may struggle to retain players beyond initial playthroughs due to its repetitive core loop.

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Overall Verdict

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OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive Reviews (80-100)

29%

Mixed Reviews (50-79)

67%

Negative Reviews (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The overall verdicts for Monster Jam Showdown highlight its strengths as a fun, accessible arcade racer that effectively captures the essence of monster truck racing. Critics like IGN praise its enjoyable drift-heavy gameplay, stunts, and attention to detail in truck designs, while GameSpew hails it as the best monster truck-based game available, citing great visuals, varied events, and accessible mechanics. Checkpoint Gaming and GamersRD commend the game’s visual appeal, diverse biomes, and wide selection of trucks, with GINX TV noting its engaging gameplay and multiplayer options. The title is also lauded for its nostalgic charm by God is a Geek, who describes it as an “absolute joy” for fans and a “muddy good fun” experience for others. These positives underscore the game’s appeal as a polished, budget-friendly entry that leverages the Monster Jam license effectively. However, several critics point to notable shortcomings that temper its overall impact. IGN and XboxEra both note a lack of depth in immersion and event variety, with XboxEra specifically criticizing the single-player campaign’s limited scope. GamingBolt highlights issues with gameplay repetition and audio design, while Meristation mentions physics problems that can frustrate players. Impulsegamer and Vooks point to vehicle handling flaws and a repetitive story mode, respectively, with Vooks emphasizing the grind-heavy nature of the campaign. Additionally, GamingBolt and GINX TV note the limited number of locations at launch, which some feel restricts replayability. These critiques suggest that while the game is enjoyable, it struggles to maintain long-term engagement for all players. Despite these criticisms, there is a broad consensus among reviewers that Monster Jam Showdown succeeds as a solid arcade racer tailored to fans of the genre. Push Square acknowledges its variety and improvements over previous entries, while GameSpew and IGN affirm its value despite imperfections. The game’s strengths—accessible controls, vibrant visuals, and nostalgic appeal—are frequently cited as redeeming qualities, even as reviewers like Checkpoint Gaming and Impulsegamer acknowledge room for growth in areas like content variety and replayability. Ultimately, the critical reception leans positive, with most agreeing that Monster Jam Showdown delivers a satisfying experience for its target audience, even if it falls short of being a groundbreaking title.

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Reviews

45 reviews found

GINX TV

PlayStation 5

Aug 25, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Monster Jam Showdown successfully captures the thrill and spectacle of Monster Jam, offering a fun and challenging experience for players of all ages. While lacking in locations at launch, the game's variety of game modes and engaging gameplay make it worth playing. The impressive visuals and multiplayer options enhance the overall experience.

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GameSpew

PlayStation 5

Aug 26, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Monster Jam Showdown is considered the best monster truck-based game currently available, offering great visuals, varied events, and accessible gameplay.

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XboxEra

Xbox Series X

Aug 26, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Monster Jam Showdown is a fun and polished game with great potential, but lacks variety and depth in its single player campaign. The base gameplay is strong and enjoyable, leaving room for expansion in future DLC or sequels.

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GamersRD

PlayStation 5

Aug 26, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Monster Jam Showdown showcases the arcade side of monster truck racing well, with distinct biomes, accessible controls, and a wide selection of trucks. However, the game's limited modes may make it feel repetitive quickly for some players. Visually, the game performs well with impressive effects.

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Impulsegamer

PlayStation 5

Aug 28, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A solid, budget arcade title that excels in utilizing the Monster Jam license and Unreal 5 engine, accessible for all players but falls short in some aspects like vehicle handling and replay value

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Push Square

PlayStation 5

Aug 26, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Monster Jam Showdown is praised as a solid racer with a variety of content and improvements over previous entries in the series.

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IGN

Xbox Series X

Aug 27, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Monster Jam Showdown delivers an enjoyable monster truck racing experience with a focus on drift-heavy driving, stunts, and damage effects. While it may lack depth in certain aspects like immersion and event variety, it offers a good mix of content for players of different skill levels. The game's visuals and attention to detail in truck designs contribute to its appeal, despite some shortcomings in stadium and arena variety.

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Checkpoint Gaming

PlayStation 5

Aug 26, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Monster Jam Showdown impresses with its visuals and gameplay variety, but the unlocking system and campaign could be improved. Despite some drawbacks, the game is recommended for fans of Monster Jam and offers a solid experience overall.

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Meristation

PlayStation 5

Oct 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Monster Jam Showdown is a fun and effective racing game with a lot of content, but it suffers from a lack of variety and some physics issues that can lead to frustration.

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God is a Geek

PlayStation 5

Aug 26, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Monster Jam Showdown is described as an absolute joy for Monster Truck fans and a fun arcade racer for others. It combines nostalgic gaming vibes with modern spectacle, offering muddy good fun.

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