4x4 Evo is a video game developed by Terminal Reality for the Windows, Macintosh, PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast 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.
Gameplay
Gameplay features off-road racing of over 70 licensed truck manufacturers. Modes featured in the game were a 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 6 purpose built race vehicles: Chevrolet Trail Blazer 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; however, the original vehicles have been removed due to an expired license.
Multiplayer
Although this game was released about nineteen years ago, the online community still exists, with a fair number of players, and some moderators who manage chatrooms. 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 Dreamcast Live, as one of the 16 games so far to be brought back online on the Dreamcast
Reception
Rob Smolka reviewed the Dreamcast version of the game for Next Generation, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "Other than the online play, this arcade racer doesn't do anything special we haven't seen before." David Chen reviewed the PlayStation 2 version of the game for Next Generation, rating it two stars out of five, and stated that "A competent racer with lots of options but a few too many significant flaws." In the United States, 4x4 Evolution sold 41,500 copies by October 2001. The game was met with positive to mixed reception. GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 78% and 74 out of 100 for the Dreamcast version; 75% and 73 out of 100 for the PC version; and 65% and 64 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version.
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.
