4×4 Evo

Step into the driver’s seat of 4×4 Evo – the ultimate off-road racing experience that pits you behind the wheels of fully licensed pickups and SUVs from Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Toyota and more. Drawing inspiration from Terminal Reality’s Monster Truck Madness series, Evo swaps massive monster rigs for rugged, high-performance 4x4s and delivers heart-pounding action across muddy tracks, rocky trails and custom stunt arenas. With authentic vehicle physics, eye-popping visuals and a thunderous soundtrack, every race feels like a pulse-racing battle for off-road supremacy.

Take the mud-splattered action online with cross-platform multiplayer for Dreamcast, PC and Mac—go head-to-head with up to three friends in four-player showdowns—or blaze your own trail in career mode. Start with a modest budget, choose your first truck and earn cash by dominating events, then customize performance parts or invest in new rides to stay ahead of the pack. From precision tuning of suspension and tires to strategic upgrades like nitrous boosts, every decision shapes your journey to become the world’s premier 4×4 champion.

Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

4×4 Evo delivers a robust off-road racing experience by placing you behind the wheels of licensed pickup trucks and SUVs from Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Toyota, and more. The handling model captures the weight and momentum of heavy vehicles, forcing you to master throttle control and braking when tackling mud pits, rocky trails, and jumps. Whether you’re blasting down a straightaway or navigating a tight hairpin turn, every race demands a blend of patience and aggression.

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At its core, the single-player career mode introduces a compelling progression loop. You start with a modest budget, choose a starter truck, and begin to earn prize money by competing in a variety of events. Earnings can be reinvested into either new vehicles or performance parts—such as upgraded suspensions, tires, and engine components—allowing you to fine-tune your ride to your driving style. This sense of tangible growth keeps you engaged as you unlock tougher competitions and more challenging terrain.

Where 4×4 Evo truly shines is its online multiplayer. Dreamcast, PC, and Macintosh users can all join four-player lobbies, pitting different platforms against each other in real time. Races feel unpredictable and intense, especially when lag and latency factors into off-road conditions. This cross-platform functionality was groundbreaking at the time and still adds replay value, as you never know who you’ll face online or how they’ll tackle the next obstacle.

The game also offers a range of race types—circuit laps, point-to-point rally stages, and obstacle-course challenges—that keep the gameplay varied. Side missions like time trials and special stunt arenas break up the main events, offering bonus cash and unique trophies. Combined with a reasonable learning curve, these modes ensure that both casual players and hardcore off-road enthusiasts can find events that cater to their skill level.

Graphics

Visually, 4×4 Evo sticks closely to the aesthetic pioneered by Terminal Reality’s Monster Truck Madness series. Vehicle models are impressively detailed for their era, with accurate manufacturer badges, suspension components, and realistic color schemes. Close-up camera angles let you inspect the tread patterns on your tires and the textures on your grille, lending authenticity to the driving experience.

The off-road environments strike a good balance between diversity and performance. From muddy swamp tracks to sun-baked desert dunes, each location features its own color palette and terrain physics. The engine’s ability to render dynamic mud splashes, dust clouds, and uneven ground surfaces enhances immersion—though you may notice pop-in textures and lower polygon counts when events grow busy or multiple vehicles converge on the same tight corner.

Lighting and weather effects, while not cutting-edge by modern standards, still contribute to the atmosphere. Overcast skies will mute the landscape, while bright sunshine casts long shadows and highlights vehicle dust trails. Rain effects, though fairly basic, can drastically alter traction and visibility, forcing you to adapt your driving approach on the fly.

Cross-platform graphical performance is generally consistent, but be prepared for minor differences. The Dreamcast version may run at a slightly lower resolution, whereas PC and Macintosh editions can leverage higher frame rates on more powerful hardware. Regardless of platform, the overall presentation remains cohesive and true to the off-road racing spirit.

Story

Unlike narrative-driven titles, 4×4 Evo approaches its “story” through the lens of motorsport progression rather than scripted cutscenes or character arcs. Your journey begins as an underdog rookie with a budget truck and a dream of off-road glory. Each race victory or podium finish not only brings you closer to unlocking premium vehicles but also builds your reputation within the game’s loosely sketched racing community.

The career mode subtly crafts drama through event unlocks and championship stakes. As you climb the ranks from local club events to national off-road championships, the sense of accomplishment grows. Rivals make occasional appearances in pre-race menus, adding a hint of competition narrative. While there’s no voiced dialogue or cinematic storytelling, the progression system itself provides enough of a backdrop to keep you invested in each new challenge.

Secondary objectives, such as winning under a time limit or completing special stunts, introduce mini-stories of triumph. Meeting those goals can unlock bonus parts and exclusive vehicle liveries, rewarding players who are willing to push the envelope. These optional missions add depth to what might otherwise be a straightforward racing sim, creating small narrative beats along the way.

In essence, the “story” of 4×4 Evo is driven by your personal accomplishments. Every grind for cash, every finely tuned upgrade, and every blown hairpin become chapters in your own off-road racing saga—one defined by horsepower, tire smoke, and the pursuit of muddy glory.

Overall Experience

4×4 Evo stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of off-road racing simulations. Its blend of licensed vehicles, realistic physics, and varied event types delivers hours of engaging gameplay. Whether you prefer solo career progression or the unpredictable excitement of cross-platform multiplayer, the game offers a satisfying balance of challenge and reward.

Though its graphics and physics engine may show their age compared to modern titles, the core driving mechanics remain enjoyable. The tactile feel of handling a heavy truck across uneven terrain is still remarkably convincing, and the ability to fine-tune your rig encourages experimentation. For fans of authentic vehicle lineups and genuine off-road action, 4×4 Evo holds up surprisingly well.

The limited narrative framework doesn’t detract from the experience; in fact, it allows the gameplay loop to take center stage. You become the story, charting your own rise from novice to champion. Combined with community-driven online races, the title offers significant replay value and a strong incentive to keep returning for more dirt-slinging fun.

Ultimately, 4×4 Evo is a must-try for racing enthusiasts who crave a realistic yet accessible off-road simulator. Its multiplayer legacy and career depth make it a standout among vintage racing games, and its authentic truck roster adds a layer of credibility rarely matched by contemporaries. If you’re looking for a solid dose of four-by-four action, this game still holds its own in the muck and mire.

Retro Replay Score

7/10

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Retro Replay Score

7

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