Game Reviews

Trucker's Delight: Episode 1

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Trucker's Delight: Episode 1

By nature, internet memes are fleeting. Three million YouTube video views one month can be forgotten the next.

It makes a shaky foundation for a game, even when the video in question - the Trucker's Delight track from French electro knob twiddlers Flairs - is heavily influenced by gaming culture. There are bits of Out Run, International Track & Field and a touch of Mario's DNA all here.

Juvenile, scatological, hilariously funny, incredibly misogynistic (take your pick), the video revolves around Jack's (the trucker in question) pursuit of a hot blonde driving a red sports car.

Hooting his horn and licking his lips, he shows his affection in the time honoured way of trying to rear-end her corvette.

Hard driving

Increasingly crude scenarios play out until the offensive climax, but you'll have to check out the video for that, as developer Mobigame has sensibly limited Episode 1 to a straightforward driving game.

Not only is it conceptually the easiest to convert, but it also avoids working out how to make the most of the source material while getting the game past Apple's sometimes overzealous approval team.

For that reason, Trucker's Delight: Episode 1 is basically a version of Out Run, in which you have to race to the next checkpoint before the timer ticks down to zero.

During each section, you have the opportunity to rear-end the red corvette to gain dollars, while dealing with Hell's Angels and cops, who pop up to slow you down.

Keep on truckin'

It's incredibly simple to play: tilt your device to steer. That's all the control required - acceleration is automatic.

This means making it to the next checkpoint is merely a case of avoiding other vehicles and keeping your 18 wheeler on the road. Collisions and off-roading slow you down considerably, even if bashing into things rewards you with extra dollars.

Power-ups add some variety, ranging from the addition of bull horns, a rocket boost, and most controversially MrSlurp who - in keeping with a video sequence - extends your tongue, providing you with the opportunity to lick the clothes off a stretch Hummer full of bouncy co-eds by tapping on them.

Citizen ban?

Replayability is purely a matter of trying to best your high score with Twitter, Facebook, and email challenges to inform your social network about your cash hauls. There are also friend and global leaderboards.

Of course, your enthusiasm for Trucker's Delight is most likely dependent on what you think about the video, and perhaps Flair's music, which provides the soundtrack.

As a game, though, Episode 1 is fun for only about 20 minutes. Until we have a better idea of what's coming down the highway in the form of further episodes, it's hard to recommend, despite its sprite art polish and tongue-in-cheek style.

Trucker's Delight: Episode 1

Trucker's Delight Episode 1 makes the most of its naughty music video source material, but doesn't really add up as a racing game
Score
Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.