18.6.2015

''Sunset Overdrive'' is, arguably, the best exclusive game on Xbox One as of June 2015. Insomniac Games has, in my opinion, succeeded in producing a game that - would you believe it! - is actually fun to play. ''Sunset Overdrive'' may be described as a colorful, exciting and intentionally humorous adventure. The game is not flawless, as I will explain below; however, none of its supposed defects are significant enough to detract from the 5 star rating I have unhesitatingly awarded it. Let's take a closer look at the game.Beginning with the graphics. When you play ''Sunset Overdrive'', you will immediately notice how bright and colorful this game looks. The characters, the city, the gun explosions,and more -- everything is rendered beautifully. The game runs at a solid 30 fps and I personally did not experience - not once - a single instance in which it went below that value. Keep in mind that in ''Sunset Overdrive'' you often have many different things going on at the same time : for example, you may be grinding on a rooftop, frantically shooting at 20 or 30 enemies surrounding you, and with several explosions going off either contemporaneously or in succession. Everything is handled superbly by the game engine.As for the story : the game does have a campaign, however, it is clear that it is entirely negligible and that the characters are completely forgettable. This was intentional on the part of Insomniac Games, who chose to use an oft-seen video gaming scenario - a zombie outbreak in a city you are trying to escape - merely as the framework within which the game play elements - the real heart of ''Sunset Overdrive'' - are to occur. Instead, the developers opted to fill the adventure with humorous moments that no doubt will make you chuckle or smile a few times. As I see it, with a market flooded with supposedly serious, ''survival horror'', zombie games, it's just as well that Insomniac Games went for a more light-hearted approach, and would consider this a point in favour of purchase of this game.I need to say something about the game's music. It's mostly composed of a rock / indie-rock soundtrack which goes very well with the tongue-in-cheek approach espoused by the game. It's very satisfying to destroy and see a huge monster blow up at the sound of a badass rock tune. I'll say no more about this, as I simply wanted to note that, here too, the developers made a good choice.Finally, the real substance of the game, and the main reason you should buy it : the gameplay.Before explaining what this consists of, I should note that the controls are, most of the time, completely responsive. This is a game in which you must constantly move, and in particular grind, jump, bounce, wall run, and more. You are constantly interacting with the environment. Consequently, for a game of this nature, it is essential for the controls to be spot on. And in ''Sunset Overdrive'', aside from the occasional unplanned change of direction of my character ( in many cases no doubt as a result of my own inaccuracy), the controls are generally excellent. This game puts the awful controls of Assassin's Creed to shame. The controls are tight, and they are the foundation on which the game builds its equally fantastic gameplay.As previously, mentioned ''Sunset Overdrive'' is a game that demands from you to be constantly on the move. You have an open-world Sunset City to traverse either by grinding, jumping, wall running, etc., and you must do all that to stay away as much as possible from the ground. If you stay on the ground for too long, you will soon be overwhelmed by monsters or some other horde of enemies. In addition, as you make your way through Sunset City, you will need to make use of various types of weapons which you can customise and upgrade as to suit your destructive palate. The idea is that while you quickly grind or bounce off in the environment, you are shooting and blowing to smithereens the different kinds of enemies that infest the world. You also have optional challenges to complete, requiring you, for example, to kill as many enemies as possible within a set time limit. The game is fast, frantic, and makes use of all the Xbox One controller's input commands to deliver an exciting and over-the-top third person shooter experience. No doubt it will take you a few moments to get used to how the game works. However, once you get to grips with the fundamental mechanics (5 minutes of practice and you're good to go), you will be set for a great experience and hours of fun.In conclusion, I would say that ''fun'' is indeed the key word in considering Insomniac's ''Sunset Overdrive''. The game doesn't take itself too seriously, and is purposely humorous. The controls are spot on, and the developers clearly focused a lot on that in order to give us a great experience gameplay-wise. This is not a third person shooter that revolutionises the genre; rather, it takes the best from previous games such as Jet Set Radio that attempted something similar, and takes it to a whole new level, both graphically and (yes, I'll say it again) and in terms of game mechanics. I have no hesitation in calling it a gem of a game.Since release in late 2014, the game has unfortunately not sold well. I don't want to delve into the controversy of why that is so ; there is an entire debate as to why , despite the clamor for new intellectual properties in the gaming industry, consumers in the end don't commit to buying new games like ''Sunset Overdrive''. What I can tell you is that the sales do not do justice to the game. This is top quality, pure and unadulterated fun. ''Sunset Overdrive'' doesn't want to be anything more than that. If you own an Xbox One, and you are at least sixteen years old (I say this as a warning for the parents of younger children: the game does contain a fair amount of swear words), then I encourage you to purchase this game which, as I mentioned at the beginning of the review, also happens to be exclusive to Xbox One.

15.7.2015

Sunset Overdrive is one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had with a video game for quite a while and is an absolute must-own for people making the step up to the Xbox One.I have to confess that before it came out, I had written it off from the gameplay videos I had seen and had a hunch that it was going to be repetitive and disappointing. After hearing such good things I was really excited to break the game in but I must also confess that for the first hour or two the game didn't get its hook into me, even though I really wanted to like it. The city traversal just wasn't quite as fluid as I was hoping and I found certain elements like wall running a bit clunky....and then it clicked.Not too far into the game you learn a new dash skill that makes linking grinds and other manoeuvres together a breeze, which is the point where everything slots into place. Chaining moves together becomes glorious fun and like many have mentioned, a love letter to old Tony Hawks games, enabling you to get across the entire city in one long effortless combo. You'll spend most of the game having to get from point A to point B and I can honestly say that I enjoyed it to the very end.But alongside the movement mechanics you have combat and at your disposal is a wide and creative arsenal of ridiculous weaponry. The guns become more and more exaggerated as the game progresses and you will be filling the screen with brightly coloured projectiles and explosions, especially when the game fills up with enemies - of which there are a lot - and the game never seems to drop a frame. Glorious.The gameplay is great but arguably more impressive is the vibrant graphics and zany art style. This entire game exudes confidence in design, with so many incredible fluid animations and vivid colours. Getting up to a high location to look over Sunset City and you will be excited by just how big a playground this game is.I've seen many criticisms of the story and the vulgarity in dialogue, but I never found an issue with this. The story is basic, sure, but the game is immensely self-aware and regularly mocks it's own mechanics and rules - or more so the common rules of most video games. There are so many pop culture references sprinkled throughout the game and it's willingness to regularly break the fourth wall and speak to the player directly make me feel respected as a gamer. Sure, some of the jokes don't pay off or make you roll around laughing - but if you play a lot of games and watch a lot of films you'd be hard pushed to not appreciate the witty satire occasionally buried within. Simply put, it's a hell of a lot better than most games that try to apply a serious story.Sunset Overdrive is not an especially difficult game and if you were to skip the side-missions it doesn't feel too long. In the later levels I started to die more often and this was the only time I felt like I had to switch my tactics up. Generally, the game is quite easy and very rarely punishes failure - even dying results in a quirky animation that puts a smile on your face. This is clearly deliberate however, as Sunset Overdrive embraces it's fluidity, built from the ground up to be an enjoyable ride rather than a gruelling test.The game has a lot of collectables and thankfully they are of actual value (unlike a lot of games that shamelessly fill their game with pointless collection - I'm looking at you Assassins Creed), giving you the ability to buy interesting new power-ups and incentivising exploration. There are also a ton of little challenge missions that test your ability to navigate certain obstacle courses, use specific weapons and more. These are surprisingly fun and especially if you have some other friends to compete for leaderboard scores with. Finally it also has an online mode that, whilst fairly basic and limited, is still a hell of a lot of fun. You play a bunch of challenge missions with up to 8 people that lead up to a final base defence mission, swarming with enemies and destruction - and these are absolute anarchy (in a good way).To sum up, Sunset Overdrive is an amazing game - a MUST-OWN for Xbox One players. It's incredibly fun, incredibly pretty, regularly funny and never takes itself too seriously. It taps into the central core of what video games are really all about - FUN - and drops so much of the superfluous nonsense that bog most modern games down. I cannot recommend this game highly enough.I hope there's gonna be a sequel.

24.1.2015

Seriously, well that's not a word to use in relation to Sunset Overdrive.I will try not to spoil anythingFirst off, the story, it takes the mick out of video games, gamers and itself throughout, but not in a nasty or an offensive way and it will bring a smile to your face. It also takes the mick out of various social stereotypes in a way which is very amusing, but may be a little harsh.This an early spoiler, but for instance the tutorial mission, the protagonist asks a grizzled veteran with a gun why he's just standing there telling her to hit enemies with a crowbar instead of actually helping (remind you of any games at all... ever?)The enemies are a very wide group and very lethal,

8.12.2014

There's only one thing I really dislike about this game, and it's how much I want to play it all the time and how that doesn't work well with what little free time I have.This game is brilliant.This game isn't a dramatic, touching story that will make you well up, and although there is some character development you're not going to get too attached. But in this game that's not a problem because of it's theme. The game is an over-the-top adrenaline fueled thrill ride, and that's the truth of it. The story is based on the premise that a new energy drink named "Overcharge" has turned most of the population of Sunset City into crazed mutants, it's basically a post-apocalyptic premise where everything has gone topsy turvy.I know what you're thinking,

4.11.2014

It's zany and crazy looking game Those orange things that you fight in the game are called OD (overdose) as they overdose on some crazy orange drink. There is now an apocalypseLook underneath all the front is a great game with clever controls which allows experimentation and tricks. It will take time to master, but does not lead you by the hand. When it does lead you by the hand, it actually get embarrassed for having to bother you with baby s**t yadah yadah yadah. Red barrels, you character says "yeah I played video games I know what red barrels do"The game regularly parodies itself and your avatar will talk about the voices in his/head when the tutorial section is happening.

25.6.2015

I was so caught up in playing competitive games and collecting achievements, I just wanted to find a game with my Xbox one purchase to go back to basics and just have fun playing.I honestly can't remember the last time I had such a ridiculous amount of fun, you're free to jump around the city, grinding along rails and swinging from power lines while shooting away at monsters (OD) and your other enemies. One minute I'm burning monsters from the rooftops the next I'm in the street knocking them down with bowling balls.- Awesome character customization. ( Male, female, crazy outfits & hairstyles, You can change any of these at anytime during the game)- Crazy weapons - TNT Teddy launches exploding teddy's everywhere.

12.5.2015

I’m not usually into free roaming adventure/action games, but this sure is one of the finest I’ve played. It’s utterly addictive, fun and different.You create a male or female character and begin your heroic journey to save Sunset City from the overdosed population caused by evil energy drink corporation, Fizzco.It may seem very overwhelming when you start the first mission as gameplay videos highlighted the full potential of the game but there’s no need to worry as Sunset Overdrive is simple to get into. It’s incredibly easy to pick up and play within a very short space of time so the user-friendliness of the game is a major benefit.Once you’ve sprang into action there’s no limits to all the grinding,

2.11.2014

Sunset overdrive is a zany, silly, bright , vibrant and most importantly fun open world action adventure.The game is set in a post apocalyptic world after the launch of an experimental drink has gone somewhat wrong and follows the adventures of it's protagonist (you) as you attempt to find a way to survive, thrive, escape and have fun in this crazy world.The game is heavily based around it's fluid and slick traversal, as you spend most of the game bouncing and grinding the world, rarely touching the ground in or out of combat.. it evoked memories of the wonderful Jetset Radio.The game looks gorgeous and is full of colour. It also has an excellent bunch of imaginative weapons and upgrades.

1.11.2014

It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a game as much as I'm enjoying this, this is proof that when you give developers the creative freedom to create what they want, such games that are totally different start to appear and Insomniac studios must be congratulated for what they've created. The game really doesn't take itself too seriously, it's fun and humorous all the time with lots of player customisation. Essentially an energy drink has turned everyone that has tried it into mutants and its your job as the hero to destroy them all, you can use walls, pipes, cables and canopies to travel around the maps and shoot down upon the enemies below. Anyone that likes horde mode (defending against endless waves of enemies)

31.10.2014

My pre-order arrived this morning, thank you Amazon. Unfortunately, my 13 year old son has been on it since i got it and i haven't managed a look-in yet!I've been watching him play it and, i must say, it looks like a fantastic game. Now i'm desperate to have a go!! My son rates it at 5 stars already and there is still so much more to do in it.It's a little known fact but it's worth noting, for all you parents out there that are worried about the bad language that is unfortunately prevalent in this game, that there is a "profanity filter" in the options menu that will very effectively bleep out all the offending words. As a parent of a game-loving young child,

6.11.2014

Four or Five stars? Well, to be fair, I found myself playing this last night and it's the kind of game that sucks you in and once you eventually you peel your red eyes away from the TV, you are left wondering why it's 2am all of a sudden. The humour is there, and whilst it can be a little puerile, it is zany enough for me to find amusing. I find myself smiling in recall at some moments now that I'm writing this, so be assured that it can be quite a funny game (if you're not a paraplegic).Gameplay-wise, well, it's like a skateboard free-roam game with lots of guns, without the skateboard. While it probably will need some DLC to inject some longevity, Sunset Overdrive fills a niche left vacant by GTAV,

25.10.2017

I really liked the game and it is superb value buying it a couple years after release. It has really fun gameplay, and it's set in a really colourful and vibrant world, with some really engaging humour and dialogue. It also has a lot of character and weapon customisation, along with vulgarity and gore filters if you're thinking of playing with younger children. And it has plenty of diverse side quests that you have to play through along with the main gameIt took me about 30 hours to 100 percent however it's so fun I played through it again and I occasionally dip back into my completed save file to get back into the action. The one gripe I have with this is that there's no New Game+ option,

28.1.2016

What a brilliant game. Think Jet Set Radio Future, but enhanced and expanded. The story is fun, an energy drink has mutated the inhabitants of the city, you and other survivors must escape, using a large arsenal of weapons (upgraded through styled use); bombs, electric, fire, records... theres a good amount.My personal favourite part of the game is the humour, its very slap stick, vulgar and immature. However you can adjust the vulgarity and the gore in the options (a nice touch to allow all ages to play).Along with the main story there are planty of in game challenges to complete and compete to keep you playing after you've completed the main story (around 15 hours)... I'm on 36 hours.Fun,

4.1.2015

Sunset Overdrive is one of the exclusives that makes ownership of an Xbox One more appealing. Ok, it isn't the graphical tour-de-force that some people want from a next gen game however it certainly stands out from the crowd. It has an unusually bright colour palette for a modern non-nintendo game. It comes across as a frenzied mix of jet set radio, Saints row 4 and crackdown. The weapons are amusing and inventive and the traversing across the city allows you to strings together jumps, grinds and bounces.I've deducted a star for the unimaginative fetching missions that pepper the game. All in all though it retains a great sense of mischief throughout and contains more fun than any of the other

8.7.2015

I love gaming, but I can't help but think that so many next-gen releases take themselves too seriously - if you want to break away from the grit and enjoy some "mindless fun" this is the game for you! This is genuinely one of the most fantastic games I've ever played. The character customisation makes the game an almost personal experience, the adult humour is fantastic and pokes fun at gamers and various gaming clichès, the gameplay is fast paced and explosive and the storyline keeps you interested enough to want to know how it pans out! Once the main campaign has been completed there are enough side missions and quests to keep you engaged. I would recommend this game to anybody and everybody!

Sunset Overdrive (Xbox One) - Reviews

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