4x4 Jam

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CNET Editors' review

by: Jason Parker on September 19, 2011

4x4 Jam is an off-road racer that lets you drive wherever you want--an ongoing and changing landscape continues in every direction. This game is from the early days of the iTunes App Store, and while the gameplay is still pretty fun, it's easy to tell the graphics haven't been updated for the latest iOS devices.

Even so, 4x4 Jam still manages to be fun and worthy of a download if you've never tried it. Steer by tilting your iPhone left and right and you have several options for control sets depending on how much control over gas and brakes you want. You can choose between a VW-bug-like off-road racer or a 4x4 truck, with four skin options for each. You can participate in a few different race types with computer-controlled players including an Off Road Race (try to beat your opponents to each gate) and a Jam (collect points by passing through more gates than your opponents). Sadly there is no career mode, so there is little to keep you interested if you don't like the race types offered. But there are three difficulty levels to keep things somewhat interesting.

One of the first things we noticed when we initially played this game was the well-implemented physics. Even now, 4x4 Jam has a better overall feel than a lot of the racing games you'll find today. As you make turns you really notice the centrifugal force and stopping to turn on a dime is pretty much impossible. This only adds to the fun as you and your opponents jockey for position and you even have opportunities to force them away from gates to get an advantage.

Overall, 4x4 Jam is an excellent if somewhat dated game, with fun and challenging racing action. If the developers optimized the game for the Retina Display and added a career mode, it would be even better.

Publisher's Description

From Invictus Games Ltd.:

- #1 in Simulation Games- #1 in Racing Games- one of the 50 best iPhone and iPod Touch games out to date. / AppGamer.net- Best of 2009 BRONZE AWARD by PocketGamer- HOTTEST award by iPhoneAppsPlus.com- among the Top100 at AppStore/Games- Featured at "Hot" / US AppStore- Featured at "New and Noteworthy" / US AppStore- Featured at "Best Dirt Racing Games" / US AppStore__________________________________________ Amazing Physics Equals an Amazing Game... it sure does have the graphics and the physics at the top.(www.ipodtouchfans.com) Off-road racer fans will find 44 Jam to deliver a highly enjoyable (and unique) game experience.(Touch Arcade) A highly proficient racer that will keep petrol-heads entertained.(PocketGamer)4x4 Jam is an excellent concept with fun and challenging racing action(www.cnet.com) Fun experience thats definitely worth the price. {Very Good}(411mania.com)__________________________________________ Race 4x4 JAM the most unique all-terrain off-road racing game you could ever see on iPhone and iTouch - but don't take every turn seriously.Feel free to jump over your opponent or roll down a steep hill. There are no rules and no boundaries, racing goes for pure fun.Find yourself behind the wheels of off-road vehicles with realistic and the most enjoyable tilted or tapped game control. The realistic physics system of JAM put a smile upon your face. Don't look for boundaries like in other racing games, 4x4 jam doesn't limit the area. You can really drive as far as you wish!The game offers 100% total freedom to race across the varied terrains without any limitations.Listen to 9 licensed rock tracks during the intense races.Challenge your opponents on icy mountains or hot sand dunes and experience the excitement of hill climbing with custom build off-road vehicles. JAM MODEHigh-speed dash to race through a series of gates placed randomly on the terrain.Be the first to pass a gate and earn more points in more difficult modes. OFF ROAD RACING MODEIf you are a more traditional racing fan, Off-Road Race mode will give you high-octane excitement.Rocks, potholes, mud holes, trees and various objects will turn your route into adventurous victory.But often the more daredevil driver will succeed over those who opt for strategy! ROAD RACING MODEPedal to metal lap based race on the bumpy roads where you must go through a sequence of gates. FREE RIDE MODEExplore the map and put your car to the test alone or with AI cars.COLLECTOR MODEPick up the scattered items before your opponents collects them!VEHICLESTen custom built off-road vehicles, each with different performance and driving characteristics.MAPSEight unique tracks are available in full version such as green fields of Europe or Sand-dunes of Africa or American rock-deserts.FEATURES- no limits on- and off-road- high detailed 3D graphics- real but enjoyable physics- realistic off-road vehicle characteristics- various difficulty levels- high score and best lap time records- several gamemodes- vast terrains without boundaries- 4 full 3D vehicles on screen- unique paint jobs- grass and tree rendering- intelligent opponents- environment mapping- 9 licensed music tracks- OpenFeint support fall all game-modes__________________________________________Want more great games? Check out: Froggy Jump, Fly Fu, PinFrog, Brim, Grim Filler, Picosaic, Blastwave, Rollit Smartly, The Escapee, Fly ControlFollow us on Twitter @InvictusGames

What's new in this version: - minor bug fixes- Truck Jam notice