Act: Truck Dismount [by tAAt]

As the follow-up to Stair Dismount, Truck Dismount presents a game that is actually quite a bit better than the original while building on the same solid physics engine that made the first game so enjoyable.  In fact, while playing both dismount games, I couldn't help but think of Pontifex II, and other great Chronic Logic physics based games.  Perhaps these groups should get together?

Truck Dismount presents many more options than Stair Dismount.  In this game you again are trying to cause as much damage to your character, a crash-test-dummy looking chap.  You cause damage by creating an accident.  Your tools include a truck, a wall, and two jumps.  The trick is to make the truck hit the ramps and wall in such a way that you cause the most damage possible to the character.  You have a very large amount of direct control over the positioning of the objects that you are using.  You can move the jumps so that the truck only hits the jump with one half of its wheels, causing it to careen into the wall at an angle.  Even the character has multiple positions that can be used.  You may set the character as the driver of the truck, someone sitting on the truck, or place them standing on the road in front of the truck. 

The game is a lot of fun, though even with fairly simple graphics the crashing and sight of the character flying out the window crushing into a wall and then having the truck fall on top of him is probably a little too intense for young ones.  The graphics are a little bit better than you find in Stair Dismount, with transparent glass on the truck.  However, the graphics are still primitive based, using mostly boxes and cylinders to depict things.  This actually isn't an issue in the game as it helps present more of a "crash-test" lab feel to the game.

The sound I think is actually quite a bit better than in Stair Dismount.  Both games really only feature one sound track, but this one is noticeably more energetic. 

Truck Dismount much like the first game Stair Dismount include a high-score list.  However, the response time of the list after you are done with your crash run isn't nearly as fast as Stair Dismount.  Also of note is that the high scores on the list are CONSIDERABLY higher than you will find yourself scoring leading us here at Game Tunnel to believe that there is either a bug in the game, or one specific set-up you have to use in order to score a very high score.  If either is the case it certainly is a big blow to an otherwise very well-constructed game.

Truck Dismount is donationware, meaning that you download and play the full-version of the game, and if you enjoy it, then you are encouraged to donate.  It is a bit of a one-trick pony like its predecessor, but I think this game has enough enjoyment value that you should certainly give it some guilty pleasure playing time and probably consider donating.

Added: January 7th 2004
Reviewer: Russell Carroll
Score:
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