4x4 Jam

4x4 Jam relays what it’s like to drive through uneven and muddy terrain in a car with suspension springier than Marge Simpson’s perm, and it's probably as close as many of us will get to the act of racing off the beaten track.

Slick graphics and a nice set of options keep you coming back for off-road action, even if the game itself doesn't do enough to veer from the road well travelled by other dirt racers.

It's not for a lack of trying, as 4x4 Jam boasts impressive physics and fine controls. Cars react realistically to bumps, dips and hills as you tilt your handset to steer. Alternatively, a touchscreen scheme is offered that overlays two arrows on the left- and right-hand side of the display.

Both schemes offer an excellent degree of control, so it’s really a question of personal taste when it comes to deciding which one is most suitable for you.

In terms of gameplay, 4x4 Jam is a success. Unfortunately, outside of the three main modes - Jam, Off-Road Race, and Free Roam - there’s precious little else to occupy hardcore racing addicts.

Jam involves competing against rival cars in an attempt to pass through as many checkpoint gates as possible. The first driver to pass through the required total of gates is the winner.

In Off-Road Race the objective is pass through gates arranged in a course. It's all about getting to the finish line first. Free Roam, on the other hand, allows you to explore the vast, undulating levels at will.

You can tinker with the settings of each mode, bumping up the difficulty and number of number of laps (or gates, depending on which mode you happen to be participating in). However, the allure of repeatedly beating the CPU drivers or bettering your overall score is not very strong.

This lack of challenge isn’t helped by the fact that 4x4 Jam only features two vehicles and two tracks. Admittedly, they are far bigger than expected.

More unlockable features, a career mode which laid out tangible objectives, some form of multiplayer (an inexcusable omission for any racing game) - all muck up 4x4 Jam and prevent it from being more than just another off-road racer. It's a highly proficient racer that is likely to leave you yearning for more sooner rather than later.