Hard Truck Apocalypse: Arcade / Ex Machina: Arcade Introduction:
"Hard Truck: Apocalypse, known as Ex Machina in Europe, is a post-apocalyptic vehicular combat science fiction video game created by the Russian game developer Targem Games. It's a part of the larger Hard Truck series, offering players a Privateer-like experience centered around vehicles rather than spaceships, all within a post-apocalyptic European setting. In this game, players assume control of an armored truck, navigating between settlements, engaging in trade with locals, completing quests, and battling various foes to enhance their truck and obtain better weaponry as they progress through the main storyline.
The game's narrative unfolds in a future Earth after the crash of an unidentified flying object, subsequently dubbed 'The Cataclysm.' This catastrophic event ravaged the known world, rendering the atmosphere toxic and causing widespread devastation to animals, plants, and humans. Fortunately, an ingenious individual invented a special mask that enabled people to survive in this hostile environment. With the collapse of government law and order due to The Cataclysm, survivors established new cities and settlements far removed from the old metropolises. They returned to agriculture and trade, while others roamed the landscape, scavenging ruins for valuable resources and crafting. In response to roaming gangs terrorizing Earth, traders and settlers devised means of self-defense and formed alliances and clans.
Gameplay:
The story begins with Ivan Go, a renowned explorer and discoverer, departing on another expedition and entrusting his child, the player and protagonist, to his friend Peter. As the child grows up, Peter eventually allows them to venture out alone in their truck to perform a simple task. During this journey, they encounter a girl named Alice and have a confrontation with a local gang, refusing to pay them. Upon returning home, they discover their village in ruins, engulfed in flames, with no survivors left. Fueled by rage, they embark on a quest for revenge, initially suspecting the local gang but later discovering they were not responsible. They believe Alice may hold the key to unraveling the mystery and set out to find her.
Upon meeting Alice, she reveals her belief that the village attack was the work of a gang leader from an area called Argen. The player tracks down and defeats this leader, only to realize that he was not the true culprit. Subsequently, they encounter the Oracle, who helps them uncover that the attackers were actually afflicted monsters from the Desert Of Death, suffering from a loss of mental faculties.
The player decides against killing these afflicted individuals and focuses on searching for their father, Ivan. To their dismay, they learn that Ivan is already deceased. They also uncover the source of the poisonous air in the environment and make contact with extraterrestrial beings who offer an alternative solution—a device that can gradually purify the toxic air safely. However, the Oracle attempts to dissuade the player, warning them of being manipulated into executing a plan to terraform Earth that will ultimately harm humanity. Disbelieving the Oracle, the player engages in a final confrontation and defeats it. They then proceed to install the device to begin the process of eliminating the source of the poison.
Final Words:
Gameplay in Hard Truck: Apocalypse centers around battling enemies to acquire loot, selling it for currency, and using the proceeds to upgrade their truck or purchase new vehicles. The game offers four difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Impossible. Players have numerous options for weapons, gadgets, vehicle components, and more. As they enhance their vehicle, they face tougher adversaries, necessitating frequent repairs. The game also offers an alternate storyline for replayability.
In addition to the main quests (marked in orange), players can undertake side quests (marked in magenta) from NPCs in settlements to earn extra cash. A trading system is also integrated into the game, enabling players to buy goods in one settlement and sell them in another, or loot enemies for valuable resources. Different settlements offer varying prices for buying and selling commodities."?
No comments: