Before we get to Monster Jam Showdown, the game, we first need to see Disney’s live-action Monster Jam movie starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, which was revealed at Disney’s D23 event. While there’s no trailer for the upcoming live-action film just yet, we did at least get glimpses of the actor taking the stage to reveal that he’ll be starring in it. That can only mean two things!
First, the budget is probably insane, given that they cast a WWE superstar in a starring role. Second, spoiler alert! The Rock will ultimately win at the end of the movie no matter what, due to the supposed “no-loss clause” in his contracts. However, until the movie comes out, we have the Monster Jam Showdown video game to look forward to, coming out in less than two weeks.
If you've never tried the series before, as the name suggests, Monster Jam Showdown is an interactive off-road monster truck experience. The team behind it is Milestone Srl, who are mostly known for their other racing titles, including MotoGP 24, Ride 4 & 5, Hot Wheels Unleashed, and Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged. Not unlike the 2006 PS3 exclusive, Motorstorm, which also featured monster trucks, in MJ Showdown, coming in first place isn't your only goal.
You have to collect as many points as possible through various methods such as jumping off ramps, drifting, overtaking other vehicles, destroying objects, driving cleanly and more. You will also intentionally crash into your opponents, but sadly you won't be going all out like Motorstorm did in its heyday. This means you won't be wildly crashing into other players only to watch them drive off cliffs into oblivion in a ball of fire and explosive gasoline for your sick satisfaction. Ah, those were the days…
Photo: Milestone Srl
MJ Showdown has 10 game modes, some of which you can play online, offline and in split-screen mode. Head-to-Head, Circuit Racing, Freestyle, Best Trick and Figure & Racing modes can be played in all three variants. The others do not have split-screen, such as Horde, which is available online and offline. Extreme Freestyle and Extreme Head-to-Head can only be played offline, while the remaining Treasure Hunting and Survivor modes are strictly online.
The off-road racing game has a catalog of 66 official trucks, 40 of which are in the base game, but the remaining 26 will arrive via free or premium (paid) DLC. These include real vehicles from the present day of the sport, as well as historical trucks and some toy models. Customization enthusiasts can decorate their favorite monster trucks with over 140 liveries. The Zombie skin seems the funniest.
The single-player campaign, the Showdown Tour, is the main pillar of the experience. It features over 130 events that involve speed and skill, but more importantly, it was designed with a sandbox approach in mind, meaning you can tackle the events in any order you like. It’s sure to divide a lot of fans because it lacks the classic linearity. Some players appreciate a more personalized experience, while others enjoy the chaos of personal choice. Regardless, it features eight game modes with three unique environments.
Events are divided into Stunt, Short and Racing categories. When you play one type of event, you will unlock more events of the same type. However, these events have multiple game modes where you will visit all three environments that include maps such as stadiums, outdoor arenas or circuits.
Photo: Milestone Srl
This should keep you from getting bored of the same old routine, as the gameplay and challenges evolve along with everything around you. The landscapes look enchanting. You will be racing on the glaciers of Alaska, in the desert of Death Valley or in the forests of Colorado. Be careful of sandstorms, thunderstorms and blizzards, though.
After winning one event after another, you will be rewarded with medals, which grant you access to Showdown Events, which unlock harder events of the same type. Here, you can unlock new vehicles by fighting Monster Jam racers in boss battles. Remember that, just like Maximus Decimus Meridius from Gladiator, you need to entertain the crowd, not just cross the finish line first. Get more air by using the ramps and destroy everything in your path.
While consoles have an open hardware configuration, PCs vary, so here's what your computer needs to play properly, according to Steam:
Minimum
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- Operating System: Windows 10 x64
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or equivalent / AMD FX-9590 or equivalent
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4096 MB) / Radeon RX 570 (8192 MB)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 16 GB available space
Recommended
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- Operating System: Windows 10 x64
- Processor: Intel Core i7-12700K or equivalent / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D or equivalent
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (12288 MB) / Radeon RX 6950 XT (16384 MB)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 16 GB available space
Photo: Milestone Srl
Starting in August, expect a series of new post-launch content every month until March 2025. More DLC may arrive after March, but as of this writing, there’s no official word on that. Here’s what you should expect:
- August – Experience Multiplier
- September – Soldiers and Pirates
- October – Free Package 01
- November – Grave Digger Legacy
- December – Aloha Expansion
- January – Off leash, free pack 03
- February – Always on duty, free package 04
- March – Free Package 05
Monster Jam Showdown costs $50 and, aside from mobile, will be coming to every major gaming platform imaginable, including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. There’s good news and bad news about the online component; it actually has crossplay, with the exception of Switch. The official release date is August 29, but Early Access owners can play it three days early on August 26 via the $70 Big Air Edition, which includes the Season Pass.
While it’s no Wreckfest 2 in terms of vehicle physics simulation and ultra-realistic body deformation, Monster Jam Showdown doesn’t need to be. It’s its own thing, filling a much-needed spot in the market. The game’s relaxing nature makes it fun for the whole family, so kids and adults alike can enjoy it.