Most kids are familiar with the game the floor is lava, Clustertruck is just that. If the furniture was a convoy of speeding trucks with terrible driving skills and questionable physics. Everything takes place in a first-person view, where the only skill at hand is jumping and mostly precise timing. One thing is for certain, the title is very accurate. There is indeed a cluster of trucks within the game. But you’ve probably figured that one out by now. It is a fast, fun, and challenging game, with a level editor made for really sadistic people. After all nothing screams pain and suffering like custom-made tracks that bends the physics to the max. Which can lead to some unfortunate glitches and terrible stuttering.
Incidentally, the very specific way the physics works and the slightly randomized chaos that occurs. That is what makes it so fun and over the top. Though, lasers and that damn log across the road is a real killers. I can’t count the number of times I died on those. The drivers in Clustertruck are the most single-minded and task-oriented bunch I’ve ever seen. Totally relentless and shows a basic disregard for anything in their way. Including incoming traffic and the resulting explosions are delicious.
The score at the end of a level is dictated by how fast it was completed and the points gained. Actions such as having air time, or leaping over exploding trucks give points as rewards. When one stage is done, a new one is unlocked. It’s simple, slightly addictive and it works.
The music in Clustertruck helps the atmosphere and is surprisingly catchy. Though it started to creep up on me like a bad hangover, after failing a jump for the twentieth time. However, the music is good on its own and can be bought separately.
Graphically the game is a love polygon, with a touch of cartoon simplicity. Which makes it very easy to notice dangers and act accordingly, despite all the chaos going on. There are also several themes, as the stages progress, such as a desert and green plains,
There are steam achievements as well, plus a multitude of levels. Which is where the re-playability comes from. However since it is a first-person game, it is not one for everyone. Some people can’t handle jumping from that angle at all. Luckily I’m not one of those. Aside from that, the game is a decent time sink and a fun challenge. At least for some hours every now and then. Also, there is a surprise at the end of the campaign.
Njål Sand is a Norwegian Cosplayer with opinions on video games, and a passionate for creating content on YouTube about living in Norway, and gaming!