Sunset Overdrive is an action-adventure third person shooter 2014 launch title developed by Insomniac Games for the Xbox One.
I would like to believe that like music and movies there are certain games which just play better in the summer months. Sure society might deem that we should be outside getting dehydrated or turning a questionable shade of lobster, but I believe there are plenty of things that deserve our attention indoors as well. Sunset Overdrive is just one of those games that just plays better in the summer.
A hyperactive launch title for the Xbox One, this third person platform shooter sees you battling angry hordes who have taken over Sunset City after FizzCo’s latest energy drink turns out to have the nasty side effect of turning humans into mutants. Meanwhile, using your unexplained superhuman abilities it’s down to you to escape the city while you craft weapons and form alliances with the numerous colourful characters you encounter on your journey through the city.
Right from the start it’s clear that nothing about the game is going to be subtle, especially as you craft your choice of male or female character with a great selection of wardrobe and customisable options available. It’s easy to make a unique look with more items unlocked as you progress, really helping to keep things interesting. This originality however really shines in the weaponry choices as while there is a Dirty Harry style pistol and flaming shotgun you can also work towards constructing an exploding teddy bear launcher, an acid sprinkler and a bowling ball cannon. Still if none of that appeals there is an equally effective selection of melee weapons such as the baseball bat to beat down the hordes of mutants, robots, and gang members whose numbers are so plentiful there is never a shortage of things to fight. This will certainly appeal to fans of the Samurai Warriors / Dynasty Warriors games.
Movement, much like the combat, is both fluid and fun with a power meter being charged the more moves you can chain together as you parkour through the city, further helped by a simple and responsive control system. Thankfully, realism is gleefully thrown out of the window as you can fall from great heights, run along the side of building and even on water as the focus is clearly on movement than precision gameplay bringing back fond memories of Jet Set Radio. In doing so, it really makes the game easy to pick up and play while at the same time, finding ever more inventive ways to interact and use your surroundings to your advantage.
While on the surface, the game might look like a colourful hyperactive shoot ’em up, there is also a genuinely fun story to play through that introduces a range of memorable supporting characters. Missions also actually feel like they have a purpose rather than just providing busy work for the player. At the same time it has a great punk rock attitude, from the soundtrack up, as you’re free to dress crazy … and each time you die is less of a punishment especially when your treated to one of several pop culture-infused resurrections that can see you rising from the dead like a mummy, crashing a fun fair rocket or even homaging Portal.
A colourful title with a punk rock attitude, it’s really unclear what about this game failed to connect with players, especially when its bright colour scheme and high energy gameplay provides such a change of pace from its grim and more serious counterparts. Xbox owners finally get their own version of InFamous while sadly the wait continues for a sequel but if you’re yet to discover this fun shooter, it’s still well worth discovering.