Road Redemption Review

November 20, 2018

1491

Unfamiliar Carnage

Screen 1 by Pixel Dash Studios and EQ-Games

I have not played any versions of Electronic Arts’ Road Rash in my lifetime. Road Redemption on Nintendo Switch, the bloody child of EQ Games and Pixel Dash Studios, was my call to this action genre. The idea of wild motorcyclists battling on rebellious roads, with intent to kill, is not a new idea. Video games have been a dominant form of entertainment since the 1970s. The motorcycle combat genre has been around as long. Previous versions, in this game genre, have never drawn me in.

Sega Genesis’ version of Road Rash did not look fun, in my opinion. The great intentions of the game and the graphics never caught up to each other. I recall 3DO’s version of Road Rash. The game had a photo realistic look for the time, but was not the full experience you can have today. The more recent Maximum Games’ Road Rage was not on my list of games to play. It is motorcycle combat with the look of Grand Theft Auto. Road Redemption looks to offer the newest great experience in motorcycle combat on Nintendo Switch.

Rules and Redemption

Screen 2 by Pixel Dash Studios and EQ-Games

Road Redemption follows you as you “lead your motorcycle gang on an epic journey across the country” in driving combat. Earn money by completing races, assassinations, robberies, and other challenges in your path. You collect loot; upgrade your character, your bike, and your weapons. The game offers a campaign.

This allows players, up to four in co-op mode, to travel across country to complete a variety of missions and defeat various enemies along the way. Classic Quick Play mode allows players to race over various terrains for the best time, scores, and upgrades. There is an online mode. You simply connect to a server and battle against enemies along an endless highway of challenges.

Power Steering

Screen 3 by Pixel Dash Studios and EQ-Games

Players can use either the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller or the Nintendo Switch “dog bone” controller, The Switch’s controller that you attach your Joy-cons to, to play this game. Players maneuver their motorcycle with the analog stick. The ZR button allows players to boost and accelerate their bike. The ZL button allows players to brake, or reverse their bike. The X and Y buttons allows players to attack enemies on their right, or left.

The A button is a kick to knock enemies off the track, or into other enemies. The B button allows players to deflect enemy attacks. The R button allows players to grab enemies on their bikes, or shoot at them if you have guns, or other projectile weapons. The L button allows players to look behind them for enemies. The cross pad allows players to select weapons they acquire throughout the game, such as a sword or an Uzi. The lower analog stick on the controller activates jump jets for your motorcycle. It allows you to launch over, or on, enemies, and over chasms in the game.

The Easy Route

Screen 4 by Pixel Dash Studios and EQ-Games

Road Redemption has a deep control system. In the end, the game’s success comes with its simple purpose. The game takes place on a number of wicked roads. There are a number of different road types, a variety of enemies, and level challenges. Players’ access and play on these roads influences this game experience. Players control their motorcycle in the best way on these roads.

The controls in Road Redemption are tight. Snowy roads can give any vehicle difficulty, in any game. However, pinpoint controls permit players to navigate, or crash, on these roads based on their game play experience, or in experience. As the difficulty levels increase in this game, Road Redemption can become more dangerous. Success in this game still comes down to how well you personally learn the controls in this game.

Road Redemption also has a rogue-lite experience. The game, in campaign mode, allows you to upgrade your character in one lengthy campaign. If you die, in any part of this campaign, you re-start at the beginning of the game, but keep your series of upgrades for your character in future replays.

Screen 5 by Pixel Dash Studios and EQ-Games

These upgrades include a variety of projectile weapons, strength, and boost upgrades for your character, and motorcycle. The multiplayer options in this game work. More players on this road only add more calamities to the already epic violence in the game.

Road Redemption’s decent three-dimensional style translates well in portable mode, and on the television. In the end, the major critique of this game could be its visual style on Nintendo Switch. This, however, does not take away from the pure carnage, tire burns, and explosions you can experience in this visceral title.

Conclusion

Road Redemption’s origins started on Kickstarter. The game pays homage to Electronic Art’s Road Rash. The fact is a game where you can take pipe, while on a motorcycle, and knock opponents, at high speeds, to the road is awesome. In the end, this is a racing title.

The racing aspects do not overwhelm the violence. Players can race to the finish of levels, or rain down on enemies on their way to the finish line. Road Redemption is a flexible game that celebrates violence, but favors the player who knows how to race. It deserves time on your Nintendo Switch.