| Monster Trucks Nitro | |
|---|---|
 Series logo | |
| Developer(s) | Ubisoft RedLynx |
| Publisher(s) | Miniclip, Ubisoft RedLynx |
| Engine | Unity used for Windows & Mac OS version |
| Platform(s) | Monster Trucks Nitro Flash,Windows,Mac OS X,iOS Monster Trucks Nitro 2 iOS |
| Release | Monster Trucks Nitro December 19, 2008 (Flash, Windows, Mac OS X) March 27, 2009 (iOS) Monster Trucks Nitro 2 April 5, 2010 (iOS) |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Monster Trucks Nitro is a series ofplatformracing video games developed byUbisoft RedLynx. The first game in the series,Monster Trucks Nitro was released on December 19, 2008 for theFlash,Windows andMac OS X platforms and on March 27, 2009 for theiOS platform. A sequel, entitledMonster Trucks Nitro 2, was released on April 5, 2010 exclusively for the iOS platform.
The game is played by controlling the throttle, brake and pitch of amonster truck as they proceed through a level. The originalNitro received mixed reviews from critics. The PC version holds a 54% score at aggregate websiteGameRankings.Monster Trucks Nitro 2 received higher scores in general, and currently has an aggregate score of 80/100 atMetacritic.
TheMonster Trucks Nitro series is played as a sidescrolling racing game. Players have control over themonster truck's acceleration and brakes and have can also control the vehicle's pitch while in the air. A limited amount of pitch control is given to the player while on a surface, augmented by accelerating or braking.[1] TheNitro part of the series' title comes from the game's focus on earningnitrous by either collecting bottles or performing flips while in the air. Depending on the game version the nitrous either fires immediately or charges, waiting for the player to press the nitrous button. In either case it provides a speed boost for the truck.[1]
Gameplay varies slightly depending on the platform and game played. On iOS devices bothMonster Trucks Nitro and its sequel are played using on-screen touch controls in combination with tilting the device. The originalMonster Trucks Nitro is played using the keyboard on the Flash, Windows and Mac OS X platforms. The Flash version is also unique in that it does not use a 3D engine, but rather a 2D version similar to RedLynx's originalTrials game.[1]
The originalMonster Trucks Nitro game was released on December 19, 2008 for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.[2] It was released for iOS devices on March 23, 2009.[3] On July 5, 2010 an update was released which added additional content. A new monster truck with a paint scheme resembling theAmerican flag was added, along with additional races.[4][5] In the press release that announced the update Ubisoft RedLynx stated that the game had received over 1.5 million downloads.[4]Monster Trucks Nitro 2 was announced on March 26, 2010.[6] It was released for the iOS platform on April 5, 2010.[7] On July 5, 2010 a new Adventure League mode and four additional levels were added toNitro 2, bringing the total number of levels to 24.[5]
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRankings | 54%Nitro (PC)[8] |
| Metacritic | 80/100Nitro 2[9] |
The originalMonster Trucks Nitro received mixed reviews from critics. Aggregate websiteGameRankings reports a score of 54% for the Windows version with only one review.[8] In the April 2009 issue ofPC Format the Windows version of the game received a score of 54/100.[10] Absolute Game's Michael Kalinchenko gave the Windows version a 69%.[11] Kalinchenko explained that while the game can be enticing initially it lacks the rating system that its sister game,Trials 2 has. He felt that the price was high when compared to the amount of content given.[11]Macworld's Chris Holt rated the Mac OS version a 3/5. He praised the simplicity and challenge of the game, yet felt it was too short and had too little gameplay options.[12]Pocket Gamer's Tracy Erickson gave the iOS version a 5/10. Erickson explained that the detailed 3D graphics were not enough to overcome the "lack of satisfying gameplay".[13] AppSpy's Damian Chiappara gave the iOS version of game a 3/5. Chiappara noted thatNitro had satisfyingTrials-styled gameplay, and also explained the players can use iTunes during gameplay. He gave poor marks for the lack of selectable trucks.[14] Ben Griffin of Know Your Mobile gave the same version a 4/5. He called the game "hugely rewarding" and further stated that it "easily delivers compelling and instant thrills."[15]
Monster Trucks Nitro 2 received higher scoring reviews. It holds an aggregate score of 80/100 atMetacritic.[9] It received two perfect scores: from AppSmile's reviewer,[16] Slide to Play's Andrew Podolsky,[17] and Andrew Nesvadba of AppSpy.[18] The lowest score of a 60% approval rating came from the March 2011 issue ofGamePro.[19] andPocket Gamer's Damien McFerren.[13] The majority of reviews had a 70% or higher approval rating.[9]GamePro's reviewer stated that though the levels felt short they were "well-suited to the design of [the] game."[19] Rip Empson ofPC World calledMonster Trucks Nitro 2 "a welcome improvement from its predecessor".[20] Touch Arcade reviewer Jared Nelson gave the game a 3.5/5. Nelson stated that the game "has impressive graphics, loads of content to play through, and an over the top fun factor".[7]
