1 
1 Overpass 2 was developed by Belgium-based developer Neopica and published by Nacon. Neopica has developed over 60 titles for retail and online at all scales. Overpass 2 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Rock Bouncer and Engine Staller
I had been searching for a new off-road racing game for a while, and when I discovered Overpass 2, it appeared to be the perfect fit. Recently, I have rekindled my love for off-road racing, thanks to games like Motostorm and the newly released Crew Motofest.
Gameplay
In Overpass 2, players drive 33 vehicles across 3 categories: UTV, ATV, and Rock Bouncer. Rock Bouncers are a standout addition with reinforced frames and powerful engines for overcoming obstacles. However, driving requires finding the best path on rugged terrain, but the game may not enhance the thrill of off-roading.
I experienced a slight delay in my vehicle’s movement when I tried to steer left or right using the analogue stick. This made the whole experience less enjoyable as I had to be more predictive of the paths I had never driven before. Cornering on mountainous switchbacks became a pain. Avoid sudden acceleration while turning to prevent flipping and delay.
After my car crashed during an uphill drive, I found the camera controls to be very confusing. The camera was positioned to the right, showing my driver from the side. It took me around 15 seconds to figure out how to make the camera face forward from behind my car again. However, I realized that the camera controls didn’t work as I expected. Unlike most racing games or third-person adventures, I couldn’t turn the camera 360 degrees with the right stick. Regardless of the camera angle, I had to push my analogue stick forward to reset the camera to its default position, instead of pivoting it.
Off-roading was challenging due to rocky paths that forced me to slow down. The lack of a path-finding skill made the experience unenjoyable, as I had to crawl up mountain slopes slowly. Time trials were tedious, and slow gameplay made it worse.
Career Mode
Overpass 2’s career mode offers a team-based racing experience combining elements from racing simulators and real-world racing. If you’re not interested in standalone time trials, free roam, or multiplayer tutorials, this game might be perfect since career mode is your only option. However, if you’re solely interested in racing, being forced to manage your team’s staff, sponsors, and other tedious tasks can be a hassle. Racing simulators cater to a specific group of people, and not every racing fan enjoys the managerial aspects associated with them.
The tutorial in Overpass 2 can be quite tedious and last longer than necessary. Additionally, the lacklustre voiceover fails to enhance the experience, leaving the player bored. Once the tutorial is complete, players can start managing their team, sponsors, and vehicles. However, the career mode in Overpass 2 may disappoint genre fans with its relatively limited depth. This is partly due to the management aspect feeling like an afterthought.
The scouting system in the game has issues. After finding a suitable mechanic, the game explains that the player has to sack the other mechanic, even though there is room for a second one. This is problematic since two mechanics are better than one.
Graphics & Audio
I had high expectations for Overpass 2, built on the powerful Unreal Engine 5. However, the game only showcases the quality of Unreal 5 in a few rare moments. I was not impressed with the nighttime visuals. Trying to follow a twisting track while switching between rear-wheel drive (RWD), Four Wheel Drive (4WD), and Differential (DIFF) was highly frustrating. It also isn’t without its bugs. Returning to the game three weeks after its release, and in one race, I encountered several game-breaking bugs. Upon hitting a rock, I was catapulted spinning, and upon landing, a wheel was beneath the map.
While Overpass 2 is a game that offers an off-roading experience, some players may find the visuals and audio to be lacking. Despite being developed for next-gen consoles, the graphics on-screen may not meet the expectations of those looking for a more modern aesthetic. Additionally, while the game’s mechanics focus on off-roading, the engine could benefit from further development to replicate the driving experience more accurately. With additional attention to detail, Overpass 2 could offer a more immersive experience for genre fans.
Longevity
If you can stick with the career mode, 20 hours can be spent depending on how much you get involved. I didn’t have the time to listen to Bobby’s explanation of mechanics and 20 hours seemed like a nightmare.
Final Thoughts
I must say that I was quite disappointed with Overpass 2. Perhaps it is because my prior experience with racing games was with more polished and faster games. However, my review is based on my personal experience.
Therefore, I am awarding Overpass 2 the Thumb Culture Bronze Award.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Discord | Podcast
About Author
Were there any specific challenges or obstacles mentioned in the review that players may encounter while playing Overpass 2 on the PS5?
It was the PS5 Version that I was playing, the camera control is awful, maybe it can be fixed in later patches. One of the big problems is clipping a rock after spinning. I had this a few times resulting in your being stuck beneath the track.