Monster Jam Showdown’s career will let you choose your own path

It’s nearly time for racing game industry veterans Milestone to tackle a brand new sub-genre – monster trucks.

Unveiled earlier this year, Monster Jam Showdown will use the Italian studio’s Unreal Engine technology expertise – used for titles such as Ride 5 and Hot Wheels Unleashed – to form a new official game of the series.

It aims to not necessarily replicate the real-world events – although there are set to be stadium-based stunt challenges – but invoke a childish exhilaration that we imagine comes from driving such crazy machines. Races are set in Alaska, Colorado and Death Valley, for instance.

As we approach its release in a matter of weeks, the main career mode (called the ‘Showdown Tour’) has been detailed.

According to the creators, there will be ‘over’ 130 events spread across three categories. These will be structured in a ‘non-linear’ fashion. Each category is set to feature ‘several’ game modes in an attempt at keeping variety levels up.

The tests will be punctuated with ‘Showdown Events’, or in other words boss battles, which require a set number of tokens to unlock. These are reminiscent of Forza Horizon’s signature 1v1 single-player events, ‘Showcases’. Complete them to earn your rival’s truck.

Other event types will include off-road races, freestyle tricks, treasure hunting and figure eight. 

It sounds as if reaching the main end goal is possible by focussing on one of the three categories, however, to unlock every one of the 66 vehicles and 140 paint schemes, completion of every single event is required.

Monster Jam Showdown will be available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on 29th August 2024, with early access available from the 26th.

Monster Jam Showdown at a glance

• Official game of Monster Jam, including real-world monster trucks and liveries
• Developed by Milestone, of Ride, MotoGP and Hot Wheels Unleashed fame, using Unreal Engine
• Over 60 licenced vehicles, single-player career, local split-screen and online multiplayer
• 10 different game modes
• Three environments: Alaska, Colorado and Death Valley
• Extensive post-release DLC support