DESCRIPTION

For anyone who has ever considered driving a big rig, Hard Truck offers the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of eight different trucks. The simulation allows the player to participate on five varying tracks including a practice layout, a racing circuit and three diverse cross-country venues.

The trucks can be operated with either manual or automatic gears. Other working features include windshield wipers for rainy weather, a horn for blasting your way past road hogs and the ability to effect on-road repairs. Hard Truck supports multi-player action with up to eight players over the Internet or two players by modem with DirectPlay. In all cases, multi- or single-player, you choose the number of opponents, whether human or computer controlled.

The game is played in one of two modes — arcade or simulation. In arcade mode, damaging physical effects caused by mishandling your truck are minimal while simulation mode requires expert handling with a minimum of contact. In the three cross-country racing routes (Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest and Urban Metropolis), the added dimension of delivering cargo safely becomes a consideration.

As successes build up, money is earned and can then be spent on upgrades to the trucks. These include items such as super tires, a GPS Navigation System, adjustable driver seats, better air suspension, a non-skid system and more. Truck models consist of the Mack MC100, IVECO IV90J, ZIL ZL300, Kamaz KA20H, Scandia SC15Q, Volvo VL150, Kenworth KN200 and Freightliner FL20H. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide