4x4 Evo

4x4 Evo (also re-released as 4x4 Evolution) is a video game developed by Terminal Reality for the Windows, Macintosh, Sega Dreamcast, and PlayStation 2 platforms. It is one of the first console games to have cross-platform online play where Dreamcast, Macintosh, and Windows versions of the game appear online at the same time. The game can use maps created by users to download onto a hard drive as well as a Dreamcast VMU. All versions of the game are similar in quality and gameplay although the online systems feature a mode to customize the players' own truck and use it online. The game is still online-capable on all systems except for PlayStation 2. This was Terminal Reality's only video game to be released for the Dreamcast.

4x4 Evo
North American Dreamcast cover art
Developer(s)Terminal Reality
Publisher(s)Gathering of Developers
Platform(s)Dreamcast, Macintosh, Windows, PlayStation 2
ReleaseWindows, Macintosh, Dreamcast
  • NA: October 26, 2000[1]
  • EU: Canceled (planned for 2001)
PlayStation 2
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Gameplay
The player driving a Toyota Tacoma Xtracab V6 during a race at Black Gold.

Gameplay features off-road racing of over 70 licensed truck manufacturers. Modes featured in the game were Career Mode, Online Mode, Map editor, and versus mode. The career mode is the most important part of the game to feature a way to buy better trucks similar to the Gran Turismo series. The Career mode also gives the player six purpose-built race vehicles: Chevrolet TrailBlazer Race SUV 2WD, Dodge Dakota Race Truck 4WD, Ford F-150 Race Truck 2WD, Mitsubishi Pajero Rally 4WD, Nissan Xterra Race SUV 4WD, and the Toyota Tundra Race Truck 2WD. They cost anywhere from $350,000 up to $850,000. These are the fastest vehicles in the game. Recently, KC Vale acquired permission from Terminal Reality, Incorporated to upload the game to his Web server, but the original vehicles have been removed due to an expired license.

Multiplayer

Although this game was released many years ago, the online community still exists with a fair number of players and some moderators who manage chat rooms. Dedicated servers are long gone, but it is possible to host games over the Internet and join other player-hosted games. The game has been brought back online thanks to the Dreamcast community[4] as one of the more than 20 games so far to be brought back online for the Dreamcast.[5]

Reception

The game received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6][7][8] Rob Smolka of NextGen said of the Dreamcast version in its February 2001 issue, "Other than the online play, this arcade racer doesn't do anything special we haven't seen (and complained about) before."[27] Four issues later, however, David Chen called the PS2 version "A competent racer with lots of options but a few too many significant flaws."[28]

GameZone gave the PC version 8.5 out of 10, calling it "a solid racing program. Great attention has been paid to the details of off-road racing, and you can enjoy every jolt and bump from a driver's perspective. This program breaks new ground in multi-platform gaming, and supports that with a game that is easy to jump right into the driver's seat and play."[32] However, Computer Games Strategy Plus gave the same PC version three out of five, saying, "4X4 Evolution has its place in history as the first truly multi-platform multiplayer game, and will be remembered for that impressive technical accomplishment alone. It's too bad the game itself isn't nearly as memorable."[33] AllGame gave the PlayStation 2 version two stars out of five, saying, "Overall, the publishers made darned sure that 4x4 EVO would cover its bases by hitting every one of the marketing bullet points on the back of the box, but the game itself doesn't deliver enough visceral excitement to justify the fairly steep price tag. Unless you're absolutely itching to tear up somebody's junkyard in your Lexus SUV, you're better served putting the money into a weekend getaway to the desert or the mountains with the real truck that's sitting right now in your garage."[34]

Jake The Snake of GamePro said that the Dreamcast version "has plenty of cool features—beautiful tracks that let you roam freely, nearly every pickup and SUV on the market, adjustable steering—yet the racing is straightforward and, because of wimpy sound effects and a limited number of opponents, sometimes even dull."[35][lower-alpha 1] Dan Elektro said of the PlayStation 2 version, "It might not strike anyone as exceptional, but with real-world car details, challenging A.I., and a nice upgrade system, 4x4 Evolution is worth checking out, especially if you're an SUV fanatic in real life."[36][lower-alpha 2] However, Brian Wright said of the PC version, "If you absolutely have to experience driving off-road in your Lexus RX300, 4x4 Evolution is your game. The tracks are fun and the Career mode will keep you busy, but if you want to experience the thrill of pure speed, you'd best look elsewhere."[37][lower-alpha 3]

The PC version sold 41,500 units in the U.S. by October 2001.[38]

The same PC version was nominated for the Racing Game of the Year award at the CNET Gamecenter Computer Game Awards for 2000, whose winner was unfortunately lost to time.[39] The game itself won the award for Cross-Platform at GameSpy's Best of 2000 Awards.[40]

Sequel

4x4 Evo 2 was later released on Windows, Macintosh, Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation 2. It features larger maps, denser terrain, and free-roaming environments. The game introduces Adventure Mission mode, where the player performs treasure hunts and rescue operations to obtain additional money.[41]

Notes
  1. GamePro gave the Dreamcast version two 4/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 3.5/5 for sound, and 4.5/5 for control.
  2. GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version 4/5 for graphics, sound, control, and fun factor.
  3. GamePro gave the PC version 4.5/5 for graphics, two 3.5/5 scores for sound and control, and 3/5 for fun factor.

References
  1. Fudge, James (October 26, 2000). "4X4 EVO Released". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on May 25, 2003. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  2. IGN staff (April 3, 2000). "Take-Two Ships 4X4 Evo". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  3. "4x4 EVO for PS2". GameZone. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  4. "Game Night Highlights: 4x4 Evolution 11/3/2021". 4 November 2021.
  5. "Games".
  6. "4x4 Evolution for Dreamcast Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  7. "4x4 Evolution for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  8. "4x4 Evolution for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  9. Linn, Demian (December 7, 2000). "4x4 Evolution - Dreamcast Review". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on January 28, 2001. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  10. Goble, Gordon (October 19, 2000). "4x4 Evolution - PC Review". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on December 5, 2000. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  11. Todd, Brett (February 2001). "Off the Beaten Path (4x4 Evolution Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 199. Ziff Davis. p. 110. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  12. Mielke, James "Milkman" (February 2001). "4x4 EVO (DC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 139. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 11, 2001. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  13. EGM staff (June 2001). "4x4 Evolution (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 143. Ziff Davis.
  14. Bramwell, Tom (November 15, 2000). "4x4 Evolution (PC)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  15. Brogger, Kristian (December 2000). "4x4 Evolution (DC)". Game Informer. No. 92. FuncoLand. p. 126.
  16. Fitzloff, Jay (May 2001). "4x4 Evolution (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 97. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on May 28, 2007. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  17. "REVIEW for 4x4 Evolution (DC)". GameFan. BPA International. November 3, 2000.
  18. Satterfield, Shane (November 8, 2000). "4x4 Evolution Review (DC)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  19. Poole, Stephen (October 26, 2000). "4x4 Evolution Review (PC)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  20. Satterfield, Shane (March 9, 2001). "4x4 Evolution Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  21. Data, Julian (November 15, 2000). "4x4 Evolution (PC)". SportPlanet. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 5, 2004. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  22. Chau, Anthony (October 31, 2000). "4x4 Evolution (DC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  23. Adams, Dan (November 13, 2000). "4x4 Evolution (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  24. Perry, Douglass C. (March 20, 2001). "4x4 Evolution (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  25. Reynolds, David (March 2001). "4x4 Evolution". MacADDICT. No. 55. Imagine Media. pp. 54–55. Archived from the original on March 12, 2001. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  26. Tessler, Franklin N. (May 31, 2001). "4×4 Evo 1.0 [sic]". Macworld. IDG Entertainment. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  27. Smolka, Rob (February 2001). "4X4 Evolution (DC)". NextGen. No. 74. Imagine Media. p. 74. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  28. Chen, David (June 2001). "4x4 Evolution (PS2)". NextGen. No. 78. Imagine Media. p. 81. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  29. "4x4 Evolution". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 45. Ziff Davis. June 2001.
  30. "4x4 Evolution". PC Gamer. Vol. 8, no. 1. Imagine Media. January 2001. p. 126.
  31. Boyce, Ryan (March 29, 2001). "4 X 4 Evolution (PS2)". Maxim. MaximNet, Inc. Archived from the original on April 17, 2001. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  32. Lafferty, Michael (October 26, 2000). "4x4 EVO Review - PC". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  33. Bauman, Steve (November 28, 2000). "4X4 Evolution". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on July 1, 2003. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  34. Carroll, Tom. "4x4 EVO (PS2) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  35. Jake The Snake (January 8, 2001). "4x4 Evolution Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 6, 2004. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  36. Dan Elektro (April 5, 2001). "4x4 Evolution Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  37. Wight, Brian (November 6, 2000). "4x4 Evolution Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  38. "GOD's Games" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 207. Ziff Davis. October 2001. p. 31. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  39. Gamecenter staff (January 25, 2001). "The Gamecenter Computer Game Awards for 2000! (Racing Game of the Year Nominees)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on February 3, 2001. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  40. GameSpy staff (December 2000). "2000 Game of the Year: Cross-Platform". GameSpy. GameSpy Industries. Archived from the original on February 10, 2001. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  41. Mahood, Andy (March 2002). "4x4 Evo 2". PC Gamer. Vol. 9, no. 3. Imagine Media. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
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