Junkyard Truck

Get ready to drive in a relaxing – yet quite muddy – open world with Junkyard Truck, the perfect driving simulator for fans of off-road racing (without much of the racing.) In this cozy gaming experience, your objective will be to drive around in a car that you'll have to upgrade and maintain, all while keeping an eye out for loot and muddy terrain.

Once you look past a few pesky bugs with the game's physics, what you'll get is a uniquely free driving experience that, despite its indie origins, can compete with some of the best titles in the genre.

Muddy Mechanics

If you've ever played a game like Mudrunner or Snowrunner before, then you pretty much know what to expect from Junkyard Truck. Instead of the usual racing and championships found in typical racing games, Junkyard Truck will have you exploring an open world in search of better parts and high-paying gigs.

While exploration is a crucial part of the game's progression, I think we should focus more on how in-depth the mechanical customization is in Junkyard Truck. Think of the levels of My Summer Car – without the ungodly levels of intentional jank of that game, though.

From swappable parts to customizable V8 engines, every part of your truck feels truly unique. Surely, this will appeal to the more mechanical-focused players out there but might be a red flag for those who just want a leisure drive.

Compete and Improve

Of course, this wouldn't be a driving game without some form of racing involved, and Junkyard Truck doesn't disappoint there. Races appear as one of the many challenges you can tackle to gather more cash for your truck. However, like any other trial in this game, you must make sure your vehicle is in tip-top mechanical condition if you hope to win any races.

However, it's worth noting that Junkyard Truck wasn't designed as a racing game, and it shows. The races feel floaty, with cars veering in all sorts of unintended directions once they gain some speed. These bugs turn challenges that were already difficult into borderline impossible affairs.

Drive for Miles

The open-world nature of Junkyard Truck allows for a great degree of freedom in how the player tackles progression. From rescue missions to mining for resources, there are multiple ways to make money in this game, and all of them are surprisingly addictive.

Your car isn't the only thing you have to keep healthy in Junkyard Truck, however. Your character has basic needs you have to fulfill to keep driving. Look for food, drinks, and booze as you explore the country, lest you run out of gas. Vital gas, I mean.

Pros

• A big open world to explore
• Entertaining character and vehicle progression
• Some of the physics look and feel great

Cons

• Mechanics and maintenance are a bit too complicated for their own good
• Buggy physics
• The visuals could use an upgrade