Video Game Review - Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem

Rob reviews Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem on PlayStation 5… 

Quite often when a video game is based upon a children’s toy franchise it boils down to a simple affair that aims to cash in on its namesake. We’ve seen it numerous times before, and any parent reading this will no doubt be able to name a few titles that ultimately didn’t live up to the child’s enthusiasm. Thankfully, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem isn’t one of these selfless cash-ins, and is instead something that’s a version of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater in a monster truck format. 

The world of Hot Wheels miniature cars, and the stunt-filled world of pro skateboarding aren’t two genres that I’d even thought would mash together, yet here with Stunt Mayhem it does so - and very well at that. Imagine any child throwing their cars around in outlandish homemade arenas, and you’ve pretty much nailed on what this game is about. You’ll be crashing through barricades, flaming hoops, jumping ramps, and crashing down onto cars all in the pursuit of racking up points and claiming the adoration of the paying crowd. This then leads to unlocking more stunt events, and even more big wheel vehicles to defy the laws of physics. 

Each arena is a colourful display of destructive delights. For Hot Wheels fans these are also based upon the locales that the IRL toys are themed from. Every arena is packed full of things to jump off of, and to smash and crash into. It’s not just causing havoc either as there are plenty of collectable coins to grab, and a unique epic stunt to perform. Considering we’re tackling these stunt shows in big cumbersome monster trucks, they handle pretty well. There’s no simulation physics here as we head into a pure arcade playground. Each truck can flip and spin at the flick of an analogue stick, and providing you get a big enough combo you’ll be able to perform your truck’s signature stunt too. It all plays into the crazy larger-than-life experience that’s synonymous with the Hot Wheels franchise. 

Much like the THPS series, there’s plenty of replay factor thrown into each arena. Aside from simply accumulating points to unlock the next strange in the tour, each area also has various sub-objectives for you to complete. These then lead to more extra missions to play on the vast world map, and will even unlock special arenas that are tied to a specific monster truck. The tasks themselves are pretty simple such as destroying x amount of barrels or collecting a set amount of coins. They also encourage you to explore the arena, as well as take advantage of the sandbox provided to you. Quite often you’ll be asked to do a crazy stunt to hoist yourself up on a shipping crate, to then grab a coin that’s hovering over a pit of cars to destroy. 

Fans of Hot Wheels are in for a real treat with Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem. While I’m not the target demographic for this title, I can see younger players having a blast with the onscreen counterparts of the toys that they own in real life. Everything from Big Foot, and Mega Rex is available to drive with plenty of cosmetics to unlock along the way. The game is also incredibly accessible to younger players, with the arcade style grabbing your attention throughout your stunt-filled journey. 

The only real complaint I have about the game is that the larger more extravagant stunts are tied into an in-game cutscene. These stunts are essentially the crazy loops, and giant jumps that make up most of the playsets. While they look cool and act as a tantalising centrepiece for each arena, entering one forces you into simply watching your vehicle automatically perform the stunt. I do understand why the decision to automate this was made - no one wants to crash and burn on an epic stunt - but it would have been nice to have something to control. Likewise, those big boss battles that make up some of the bigger play sets make an appearance, but these are a wasted opportunity that follows the same automated feel of the epic stunts. 

Overall while Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem is a good game, it’s marketed towards those younger gamers who have some understanding of the Hot Wheels universe. It’s a very accessible and vibrant stunt racer that’s packed full of easter eggs to find and bombastic stunts to perform. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem is easily the best Monster Truck game currently on the market, but it’s arguably the only truck in the arena. 

Rating: 7/10 

A code was kindly provided for this review. 

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem is available now and can be purchased on the PlayStation Store.