Shox

Shox Description

With the market for driving games saturated to say the least, once in a while it's nice to see something come around that offers some new ideas. Which is why it's nice to discover Shox. Combining a few novel ideas with an overall simple-yet-effective game mechanic, Shox is a veritable breath of fresh air alongside the wealth of uber-realistic, super simulators we are beginning to take for granted. Sliding into one of 24 licensed vehicles, players race through three-lap circuits of snow, desert, or jungle landscapes. Sliding through dusty roads, slipping on ice, and shredding through foliage, it's crowded on the open road, as six competing cars try to muscle into prime position. Now here's where the focal point of Shox comes into play. Scattered around each circuit are Shox Zones. Passing into these zones triggers a timer, which counts down through gold, silver and bronze, the idea being to race to the end of each Shox Zone as fast as possible and collect the relevant award. Earning three golds in a row sets off a shock wave, which, if you can catch it, gives a massive speed boost. In Gambling mode, players can try to beat opponents, putting their own cars up as collateral, the aim being to create the ultimate off road vehicle collection. A split-screen multi-player mode is also available, proving that friends are the best enemies, as up to four players can compete for top rankings. It's a simple premise that works well, providing both quickfire, pick-up-and-play thrills, as well as a longer, more in-depth experience.