Lake Farm Hill Climb: The Beast
Channel: Simon Brooke
Date: 05/05/2021

A review of The Beast, from Cyberpunk 2077.


Welcome to episode seven of the Lake Farm Hill Climb.

In the world of Cyberpunk, there is a technically illegal but actually tolerated sport of street -- and off-road -- motor racing, in which there are virtually no safety rules; indeed, shooting at opponents with firearms is an accepted part of the game. Heavily modified vehicles are built for this sport, and those modifications may include armour.

In the last episode, we looked at the stock Thorton Mackinaw, a huge, ugly, gutless barge of a pickup. This time, we're looking at a highly customised variant of the same thing: The Beast.

Claire Russell, a character you will meet, is a skilled mechanic who has, with her late husband, built and campaigned The Beast in these races over several years, and who approaches you to be her driver for the 2077 season.

So, that's the background. The Beast itself is clearly based on the Mackinaw, it has the same overall dimensions and general shape; although its suspension is raised, it has the same wheels as the stock version. Generally it has many of the features of a Nomad customisation, but interestingly it has glass windows rather than Crystal Dome.

The interior is clearly based on, and not greatly changed from, the stock model, although it has the same steering wheel used in Nomad custom cars.

Claire is very proud of her work on the engine and urges you to use The Beast in street as well as off road races, but actually the performance isn't very special. I do think handling is better than the stock Mackinaw, but not hugely so; it's still all too easy to lose control. 

The long travel suspension, although bouncy, seems well set up, and there isn't excessive body roll. When the thing does tip, the inside wheels are lifted clear of the ground, implying anti-roll bars are doing their work.

This is not a vehicle I have any worries taken across open desert, but, sorry Claire, even here it won't compete with the Javelina.

Overall rating? Meh. If you're given it, take it, but don't seek it out.