This is the closest we'll ever get to a video game based on William Friedkin’s classic thriller Sorcerer. If you are a fan of non-conventional PC games, I cannot recommend Spintires:Mudrunner enough.

What S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is to Fallout, Spintires: MudRunner is to Euro Truck Simulator. They share the same DNA, but a gorgeously grim environment and ruthless challenge push the former into its own level of greatness, despite a few technical hiccoughs here and there. MudRunner’s sandbox mode, simplified controls and engaging tutorial mode make it an accessible game for newcomers, but for driving aficionados, there is so, so much more on offer here. As far as sims go, this one’s essential.

Spintires: Mudrunner is a soviet saga regarding man’s struggle to tame and traverse the wild nature. Hubris and failure to read the muddy roads result in disaster, only to overcome it as well, as the very essence of the game is to enjoy those failures, gameplay-wise.

When all is said and done, the strong gameplay overcomes the flaws in the game. While the graphics are hit and miss, the modding community has already started making improvements. If you are tired of the typical racing sim, or are looking for a more realistic off-road experience, Spintires: MudRunner may be the game for you. And you won’t have to stop by the carwash when you get done.

The return of the driving ability field test has succeeded, although with some exceptions. It is great with all its muddy exercises and great atmosphere, but the witnesses of the original would feel that there is not enough changes and the newcomers will be terrified of the unfriendly user interface. Either way, you will not find a more original game involving cars.

Spintires: MudRunner is a well-thought out and obvious improvement over the original in a number of ways. The physics feel tight and loose where they need to be, the new vehicles are genuinely fun to explore and drive, and the overall look of the game gets down and dirty in the best of ways for an off-road delivery simulator. It can get tedious at times and we wish the game took a few more chances, context, and variety in challenging our driving skills, but exploring and making our own battles through the tough journey from place to place is still a highlight, especially with friends along for the ride. A sketchy damage system and a few less than stellar textures make this game feel less polished than it ought to be at times, but with a healthy mod community and a ton of support and depth behind it, Spintires: MudRunner feels like an off-road trek that will keep on giving.

As a messy muck around, MudRunner has enough to offer to warrant a few hours of experimentation. Beyond that, for me, the limitations of its controls, camera, and missing mirrors put a cap on the off-road giggles.