SnowRunner Phase 7: Everything you need to know

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SnowRunner Phase 7 Compete & Conquer is now on the public test server (PTS). Here is what is new and why some players are already annoyed. Spoiler alert!

Okay, so the initial release of SnowRunner Phase 7 on PTS was met by another oopsie. Except this time it was apparently to do with the Epic Games Store and not the developers.

Not that it matters now because now everything is working, kind of, and we can explore the early public build of the Compete & Conquer DLC set in Tennessee (press play above). Assuming you have the PC version, of course.

SnowRunner Phase 7 preview

How many maps in SnowRunner Phase 7?

The first big juicy piece of news is that Phase 7: Compete & Conquer only has one map, as confirmed by Mr Esorokin. Known as Burning Mill, it is 2 kilometres by 2 kilometres in size and split into three stages. Before we get all specific, allow me to read the in-game description:

“Located in the Southern parts of the United States, Tennessee consists of three geographically – and legally – distinct grand divisions – East, Middle and West Tennessee, each represented on the state’s flag by its own star.

“For a long time, a certain abandoned mine in the Western part of the state was used to host an annual off-road championship known as the Tennessee OffRoad Cup.

“The event itself consists of three stages: Classic one-lap racing, extreme downhill and off-road navigation challenge.” Yes, as previously said SnowRunner Phase 7 has a more race-focussed vibe. In fact, the two new trucks in Phase 7 Compete & Conquer are made for racing albeit at slower speeds.

What about new trucks?

One is a Dakar destroyer unlocked by completing a particular Phase 7 challenge. Continuing that oh-so-sexy naming convention, it is the Azov 43-119 “Sprinter” – fancy paintjob and all. As things stand, it can have beefy engines, a new ‘Sport’ gearbox located in Tennessee and 47-inch tyres.

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The description of this new Sport gearbox says it is, “a proprietary sport gearbox tuned for maximum performance at high speed”. This suggests it is the one to go for when racing against a timer. Or other players. Exactly how it performs is something I will investigate at a later date.

There is currently no option to raise the Azov 43-191 “Sprinter”. Nor does it do much in terms of frame addons. Some internal supply storage is the only option thus far, for a total of 150 repair points and 50 extra fuel. At least it has always-on AWD and Diff-Lock for difficult terrain.

Oh and you can attach some intimidating metal to it. Lots of metal. Probably a good idea given my driving. In addition, there are some particularly fancy sunvisors to block out any over-enthusiastic rays.

The next new truck is the Gor BY-4, which looks like a non-German version of Herbie. Round headlights, a racing paintjob and up to 31-inch tyres of all varieties – what this small scout lacks in addon versatility it appears to make up for with pleasant styling cues. Sadly it is not sentient.

Ignore the weird remnants of the Kodiak C70 going on here. I did the exact same process as I did for the Azov 43-191 “Sprinter” to unlock it as PTS is somewhat broken and yet here we are. Floating horns. Anyway, you get the idea.

What about upgrades?

One of the Gor BY-4’s upgrades, the Kr ‘Kastom’ 160 engine already in game, means a return visit to Phase 4 Amur. Shudders. Its Diff Lock and Raised Suspension upgrades, meanwhile, live in Tennessee.

There is also a rollcage and spare wheel addon to be found. This includes one spare wheel funnily enough and gives the Gor BY-4 a more Dakar-inspired vibe.

What about new things for pre-existing trucks? Well, it appears the Step 33-64 “Crocodile” can now carry some fuel in its sideboard. Apart from that it seems like it is business as usual – although this being an early PTS build, things may change. We all remember my Cherno garage guide.

It also seems you can turn on your headlights without having to have the engine on, which may be useful if you want to look ahead but not waste fuel unnecessarily.

Is forced co-op really a thing?

At this point it is time to address a particular SnowRunner Phase 7 issue. For you see, some tasks on PTS require co-op play to be completed. This is despite the fact Esorokin once said that SnowRunner would always remain a single-player-viable game.

So I dug a little deeper and it turns out the development team is aware of the criticism. It told me that, “all but a handful of missions, maybe less, can be completed solo,” and that, “racing events [in Phase 7] will be time-trials when played solo and actual races when in a co-op session”.

My source continued: “We are aware of the co-op only missions currently on the PTS have prompted some criticism and we are looking for ways to mitigate the most immediate concerns.

“The missions will likely remain, but we are exploring the idea of removing their completion from the overall completion tracker to allow solo completionists to carry on without them.”

There is also criticism over the shortness of Phase 7 given it is one map and the wait for it to arrive has been significant. However, due to a holiday in Norway I have been playing catch-up on news and only explored a little.

Anymore news of the Land Rover DLC?

Though technically not Phase 7, I can also show confirmation photos of Land Rover DLC vehicles. Two vehicles as previously mentioned on the channel (subscribe if you have not already obviously), one being the iconic Defender 90.

The other is the Land Rover Defender L663. To most people it is known as the new Defender. One that got some flak for being too smart, modern and harder to repair. But then I guess Jaguar Land Rover was just giving the majority what they want.

Undoubtedly this will be a paid DLC (probably two or three pounds or equivalent in your currency). Not that SnowRunner needs anymore scouts, of course. Especially as they are not always that useful or efficient, but variety is always nice.

So is Phase 7 any good?

Good question and one that I will answer using the following first impressions video. The can’t be bothered to watch the video answer: Yes and no. You can read it here.

When is the Phase 7 release date?

It was released on the 31st of May 2022. The same day as the free next-gen update for those with a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

Expect to either buy the Year 2 Pass to play it or buy it as a separate DLC from the game store you prefer.

Where is the Xbox One Phase 7 update?

I have been told that Microsoft is currently approving the update. It was supposed to arrive on the same day as other platforms but there was a problem of some sort. I assume it has had to undergo yet another approval because things were changed with the build. An exact release date is yet to be confirmed.

Are Nintendo Switch mods happening?

Yes, Nintendo Switch mods were supposed to arrive on the same day as Phase 7. However, there was a delay and the exact date is unconfirmed.