SnowRunner Phase 4 is now on PTS

The SnowRunner Phase 4 update is now on the public test server so here’s a look at what to expect and some Amur Oblast Russia map gameplay.

Hello and welcome to A Tribe Called Cars. My name is Ben Griffin and this video is all about SnowRunner Phase 4. I’m going to be showing the first new map in Russia, Urska River, as well as four new trucks and what else is new.

Now this is the first Phase 4 version on the Public Test Server, AKA PTS, which means some stuff will be unfinished or not yet named properly. Case in point: The Khan scout is unpainted like the KRS 58 ‘Bandit’ was for a while in Phase 2.

So that means some mild spoilers but I won’t go too heavily into specifics and I won’t show much of the second, third or fourth maps either, known as Cosmodrone, Northern Aegis Installation and Chernokamensk.

As usual, the PTS update is available only to SnowRunner on PC so we’ll have to wait somewhere around 4 to six weeks for the official release date. Maybe longer if things go wrong and they might as there are four maps this time.

SnowRunner Phase 4: 4 new maps

Yes, Phase 4 has four Imandra-sized maps in the Amur Oblast region of Russia. Apparently you pronounce the Amur bit like the word for love in French. And to be honest if you love Snow these maps will do you proud.

Initially the fourth map, Chernokamensk, was unavailable in the first Phase 4 PTS build. But it’s now available and appears to only be accessible through the Cosmodrome map although this could be temporary as the path between maps has already changed once.

What is Amur Oblast like? Reminiscent of Alaska and Imandra. As in snowy, muddy and icy. It seems like icy roads are more prominent than in Imandra, so chained tyres might be useful as opposed to mud or off-road only.

It also seems as if scouts will have their use for certain routes as some are especially narrow. And that you will want to be weary of thin ice like in Lake Kovd. It seems easier to get stuck than before so take it steady.

New features, challenges & addons

Now we all know thick snow was hell in Imandra. In Urska River you have to contend with bogs, steep banks and steep ascents and descents. Basically, progress is slow but more rewarding although there are still some needlessly tedious snow roads. Where’s that plough?

Mission variety seems decent, too. You get to launch the spaceship, repair bridges, do something with a diesel locomotive and other interesting jobs. It seems less repetitive than the Canada and Wisconsin maps although it’s early days.

I’ve also noticed new Trials challenges (one of which involves the mighty TUZ 420 ‘Tatarin’), with new hood ornament rewards including a mammouth for those who complete them.

Plus there’s a logging addon for certain trucks, which means you can lug logs around without needing the log trailer as is the case for the Caterpillar 745C.

Not only that, the SnowRunner ‘hard’ mode discovered in the files a while ago, something I’ve already made a video about, can be seen in the main menu. To use it requires starting a new game unless you’re on PC and want to modify the files.

Basically, hard mode charges you to refuel, recover and generally makes getting stuck and other costs more expensive. So it’s not quite a save plus I know many people who have completed SnowRunner want. However it does add longevity.

Another potentially nifty feature that I swear is new, maybe I’m wrong and going senile, is that you can now manually switch on or off the engine of the truck you are towing – MudRunner style. In limited testing it doesn’t seem to do much but perhaps that could change.

Even better, you can have bottles in the cabin for what appears to be the claim you need to have vodka to be a successful truck driver.

4 new trucks

As for the new trucks, we have the Khan 317 Sentinel, which is basically a UAZ Patriot pickup. Has tuned custom suspension for maximum ride height, beefy mud tyres, 80-litre fuel capacity, AWD and Diff Lock. It’s quite a fun scout but, like all smaller trucks, it dislikes thick snow and mud.

Next is the International HX520. 280 litres of fuel, AWD and Diff Lock, off-road tyres at best and various addons. Nothing monumental but does the job. Loving the dated interior wood trim and strong horn game.

Now we come to the Caterpillar CT681. 260 litres of fuel, much more versatile than previous CAT trucks, AWD and Diff Lock, you have the option to drop its second row of wheels like the Western Star 49X, also strong horn game.

Adding to the GMC family is the Brigadier 8000. 285 litres, AWD and Diff Lock capable, rugged look, versatile addon selection, lots of torque, offroad tyres but sadly no mud rubbers.

And last is the new Zikz 605R, which is found out in the wild in Cosmodrome – I have a guide coming up for that. Eight wheels, cute round headlights, AWD and Diff Lock, large 380-litre fuel capacity, more dials than a jet fighter. Reminds me of the Azov 73210 minus the rear steering and versatility. I like it a lot.

So what do I think of Phase 4? Well, the new maps are more technical than what we have seen before but marred in places by the issue of deep snow, big rocks and the inability to clear either. I also dislike the random fallen trees – what is the point if they just get your truck stuck randomly? Tedious if you ask me.

With that said, when Imandra came out mod trucks were not an option. So getting the garage took many of us a lot of hours, myself included. And many tears. Now you could, in theory, jump into a modified Tayga 6436 or the Azov Iceberg and laugh at Mother Nature.

Of course, you won’t get the achievements but it’s nice that these tougher maps are fun to explore and challenging even for the most ridiculously overpowered trucks. But still largely doable with the stock offerings.

So, yeah, I’ll be making lots of Phase 4 videos as it’s been enjoyable so far. But definitely not an easy ride! Anyway be sure to subscribe, really helps me out. I shall see you in the next video. But not before I leave you with the mystery of the clifftop tractor. Why’s it there? Answers on a postcard…