How Vehicle Unlocks Work in over the hill
Understand the confirmed unlock loop, upgrades, cosmetics, and why this page does not claim an unsupported complete vehicle list.
Applies to: Steam launch build · release and pre-release developer statements separated
Quick answer
Vehicles are part of the exploration progression rather than a shop-only roster. Complete objectives and trail challenges, investigate points of interest, and recover vehicle finds when the game presents them. Use Pebbles for vehicle upgrades and search crates for cosmetics. Funselektor discussed roughly 20 vehicles and three starters before release, but no official launch roster reviewed here confirms every name and unlock requirement.
The confirmed unlock loop
Funselektor’s official description links objectives to new vehicles, upgrades, customizations, and cosmetics. Launch-build reviews add useful context: trial challenges test particular routes, points of interest award Pebbles, and crates provide cosmetic items.
Vehicle finds and trail challenges
When a route or point of interest presents a recoverable vehicle, treat recovery as a route-planning task: inspect the exit, choose a tow line that avoids obstacles, and bring a vehicle with enough traction for the return. Separately, complete trail challenges instead of assuming ordinary map discovery unlocks every vehicle.
Upgrades, cosmetics, and Pebbles
| Progress item | Confirmed route | What not to assume |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle upgrades | Purchased with Pebbles earned through exploration activities | An upgrade bought for one vehicle can be freely moved or refunded |
| Cosmetics | Found through crates and other exploration rewards | Every crate is random |
| New vehicles | Objectives, trail challenges, and presented recovery finds | Every point of interest unlocks a vehicle |
In the developer AMA, Funselektor said upgrades could be removed but not sold or moved to other vehicles in the pre-release build. Treat that as a resource-planning warning rather than a permanent launch rule unless the current interface confirms it.
Why there is no “all vehicles” table here
Before release, a developer estimated a roster of around 20 vehicles and three starting choices. The same development period also involved tuning and content changes. The official launch pages reviewed for this article do not publish a complete named roster with exact unlock conditions, so this page does not convert the estimate into a numbered “all vehicles” claim.
A complete roster can be added only after the names and unlock requirements are verified against the launch build or a developer-maintained list. Until then, use the game’s own garage and objective records as the authoritative checklist.
Sources
- Official game site — objective-based vehicle, upgrade, customization, and cosmetic progression.
- Developer AMA — pre-release vehicle estimate, starter estimate, manually set rewards, and upgrade economy context.
- TechRadar launch review — trail challenges, Pebbles, crates, upgrades, and vehicle variety in the launch build.
- PC Gamer launch coverage — launch progression includes vehicles, cosmetics, upgrades, and points of interest.
Checked October 19, 2026. Pre-release estimates are not presented as a verified launch roster.
Funselektor’s site establishes objective-based vehicle, upgrade, and customization unlocks. Launch reviews describe trail challenges, discoveries, Pebbles, crates, and vehicle recovery. The pre-release developer estimate of roughly 20 vehicles and three starters is labeled as an estimate, not a launch roster.
Not independently play-tested. This is not a claim that every platform or game version was tested. Source review: Oct 19, 2026.
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