Review: Overpass 2

For all the different ways that motorsport fans and casual gamers alike can get their race on, whether on PC or console, UTVs are somewhat lightly represented. Sure, there are a few more arcade-type games where they’ve popped in, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that Overpass dropped to give the world a true UTV-focused game. A few years later, Overpass 2 is out now to expand on the foundations laid before with a vastly expanded game for PC and next-gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles.

Publisher Nacon is no stranger to the unexpected with racing games. They held the rights to the World Rally Championship for many years, but have also published everything from the TT Isle of Man motorcycle games, to the FIA European Truck Championship, to Monster Truck Championship. Overpass 2 fits their niche of serving markets for games that other developers might pass on.

If you didn’t play Overpass, you might not know what to expect with Overpass 2. It’s a very different game than most other racing games, in that being precise with obstacle courses and hill climbs is just as important as knowing how to hit apexes and slide through corners in desert-style races. That alone makes it a worthy addition to a lot of libraries. There aren’t a lot of trial games out there, much less ones on four wheels instead of two.

Once you get that Overpass 2 is more about precision than it is speed, the controls and physics should click pretty quickly. As tempting as it may be, you can’t throw things around carelessly and expect them to work out like they would in a more arcade-type game. But if you’re willing to treat it like a sim coming in, it’s very pick-up-and-playable, without a steep learning curve. That means hitting your marks, making smart choices in the rocks, and being deliberate when you switch from RWD to 4WD to a locked differential.

Overpass 2 has a deep roster of licensed vehicles, parts, and gear, including multiple versions of the Kawasaki Teryx. Most of your favorite brands are here, including JB15 and Vision Wheel, who can be seen on various banners throughout the game. The only thing that’s missing is a custom paint scheme editor to be able to put your favorite brands’ stickers on your rides, though you can still change colors on most cars and equipment. The environments are well chosen, headlined by Johnson Valley, but supplemented by deserts, forests, and much more.

The meat of Overpass 2 is a Career Mode that balances both ease of play and depth very well. Like any other game, you’ll have to manage your team, sign sponsors, develop your crew, and repair your vehicles. Every week has a new challenge, and every month has a new Triple Crown-type event that mixes UTVs, ATVs, and new for this edition of the game, rock bouncers.

What’s nice about Career Mode is that you can be competitive in it from the start. You get two starter machines per class, but they run well enough as is that you can focus your attention on other upgrades. Simming through events you don’t want to play doesn’t automatically make you fail them or finish last. Some of the weekly challenges are very easy to score gold times on, especially the damaged vehicle challenges, but they’ll also help you get comfortable with the feel of the game.

If you wished that the original Overpass had closed circuit racing, Overpass 2 adds it. There’s a mix of short course, rallycross, and even a dirt oval. It’s groundbreaking in that it’s some of the first racing of its kind for UTVs on any game platform. But if you’re used to playing a lot of traditional racing games, you might soon find the AI a little on the slow side, even on harder difficulty modes.

Overall, Overpass 2 is a clear step forward from the original Overpass. For returning players, it’s got more licensed vehicles and more types of racing, and for new ones, it’s approachable enough to draw you in but still challenging enough to hold your attention. At $39.99 for the base game and $49.99 for the Deluxe Edition (featuring extra vehicles and a Career Mode booster) on Steam, it’s plenty of fun—and well worth working your way through.

Images via Nacon