Big Mutha Truckers 2 - Truck Me Harder

Keep on trucking...

Filth censored? See the next screenshot then...
If there's something that I have realised as a sometime purveyor of 18th century literature, it's that a funny (as in funny "ha-ha") title doesn't always mean a great book. And the same goes for video games.
Big Mutha Truckers 2 (BMT2) delivers pretty much on what it proposes; that is an entertaining game that doesn't involve much thinking.
The basic outline of the story is that Ma Jackson was locked up by the trustworthy cops of Hick State County (all of occurred at the end of the first game) for tax fraud.
In this instalment her 4 children - Rawkus "dark horse" Jackson (known for his popularity with the ladies and his extreme coolness), Cletus "nature boy" Jackson (struggles intellectually but his enthusiasm pulls him through), Earl "the patriot" Jackson (obese, lazy, beer drinking red neck who does as little as possible) and finally the lady of the group, Bobbie Sue "Sweet Cheeks" Jackson (sexy, strong and independent) - must make money through trading goods, which involves buying stock for cheap and selling it for lots more, hopefully.
On top of the freeform trading game, there are also missions to complete that allow you to bribe the six jurors of Ma Jackson's case, in order to set her free post-haste.
The meat of the game is the trading. You've got a big truck, you fill it up with milk, or lumber, or CPUs, cheese, or prunes, maybe potatoes, but also chainsaws and illegal merchandise like horse tranquillisers and borrowed car parts, or narcotics (the list is huge). Once you've paid for your cargo, you can then drive from one city to another in order to sell it for more cash, avoiding bikers, UFOs and other hindrances that may impinge on your profit taking along the way.
Though driving the trucks across the countryside is fun to begin with (controls for both rig and trailer make powersliding possible) the game itself has a pretty weak, straightforward storyline, therefore making it hard for the rest of the game to appeal.
The physics engine isn't terribly realistic either, and while it is fun to smash traffic out of the way and try to out run other road users, the arcade physics really started to grate after a time. It left a sour taste in my mouth after a few days of play time.
Have at you, filth filtration unit!
Along the way you will venture to bars to talk to the jurors and discover their bribery fees, whilst also going to the stores to buy and then trade items. When delivering the merchandise, players must be wary of UFOs, bikers and the police and, to make further money, players can pass bonuses like helping a hobo on the side of the road, causing a pile-up or breaking the speed record on speed cameras.
The positives that come from this game are the comedic attributes of the characters that you meet throughout the game, each with their own unique quotes. The radio talkback is also quite entertaining, albeit in a condescending way to Americans. The menu options are clear and easy to navigate and the soundtrack throughout the game is top notch.
Another attribute to the game is the opportunity to take a break from riding around the country, delivering loads, and to sit back in the casino to play a game of blackjack (and at times, this is the most entertaining part of the game). And if you thought the title implied you only drive trucks, you would be mistaken, as cars are also used, and the cars look far smoother than their bigger road companions.
Graphics-wise, the game doesn't really push any boundaries. The short movie clips are staggered and rough, and for the graphics during gameplay the surroundings and the cars are all not up to the standard of most other driving games. The inability to go beyond the mission/road boundaries and to just roam around the lands is missing, with a strict path that must be followed.
BMT2 is a game for die-hard fans of the first game in the series. This is better than its predecessor, so if you did like the original, you'll find good levels of joy here.
Compared to modern game franchises like Grand Theft Auto and True Crime, it's fairly limp. If you can accept the rough edged graphics, the basic gameplay and the frail storyline, the game can still be enjoyed for a time. If anything, play it for some quotes from all the characters that you meet - some are very good. But hey, it's not the worst game on the market and could be handy for some entertainment on a rainy day.
Game: Big Mutha Truckers 2: Truck Me HarderSystem: PS2Players: 1Online: NoDeveloper: EutechnyxDistributor: Red Ant Games
Rating: 60%