Normally when I see user reviews that give a zero, it's usually because the writer is an idiot who doesn't understand how to grade on a scaleNormally when I see user reviews that give a zero, it's usually because the writer is an idiot who doesn't understand how to grade on a scale (e.g. I was just reading someone who gave PS4's Until Dawn a zero - for goodness sake, even if you didn't like it that much, it was a professionally made, graphically impressive game, with no major bugs etc., so clearly does not merit the very worst score you can give!)
Anyway, this is all a preamble to saying that, yes, I really do mean that Monster Jam Battlegrounds is pretty much worthless, and fully deserves a big fat zero. It truly is one of the worst games I have played in a very long time. I'm writing this in 2017, a few years after its release, and only played it because it was free with PS Plus - so this is warning to anyone else in the same position: don't!
It's hard to know where to start in describing this game's flaws. To begin with, it should be noted that, even for a PS3 game, the graphics are woeful. Perhaps this could be forgiven if it were not for all its other problems.
Let's start with the controls and physics - these are just utterly, utterly terrible! In theory, the game is not at all difficult, but thanks to shockingly unresponsive controls and the completely abysmal and unrealistic physics of the cars, it is never less than a chore to try to get your vehicle to do what you want it to.
Then there is the gameplay. There are three main modes - 'normal' driving, stadium and stunts - all of which are equally poorly designed. When I first started, I couldn't understand the viewpoint, so tried figuring out how to adjust the camera - alas, you cannot. Instead, you have to play the ordinary driving sections as a weird side-on affair that means you never know when a hill or dip is approaching, making it completely frustrating. The stadium sections are even worse: you race around a track, but not directly against other drivers, in the most simplistic circuits I have ever seen. Then there are the stunts, which are just plain boring: jumping long distances, landing in specific spots etc.
What else? An atrocious, monotonous soundtrack. Appallingly long loading times. A selection of vehicles that all play exactly the same. Rubbish menus.
The only positive I can think of is that the game is a fairly easy platinum. Still, if this tempts you to play, you need to ask yourself: is it really worth putting myself through such an awful experience just for this?… Expand