RoadKill (video game)
| RoadKill | |
|---|---|
_boxart.jpg) | |
| Developer(s) | Terminal Reality |
| Publisher(s) | Midway Games |
| Engine | Infernal Engine |
| Platform(s) | GameCube, Xbox, PlayStation 2 |
| Release date(s) |
PlayStation 2 & Xbox GameCube
|
| Genre(s) | Action, Grand Theft Auto clone[1] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
RoadKill is an open world action-adventure video game developed by Terminal Reality and published in 2003 by Midway Games. The game has been described by Midway as “the only mission-based combat driving game set in a post-apocalyptic world.”[2]
Gameplay
RoadKill is a vehicular combat game, and its gameplay is very similar to Twisted Metal, with a mission-based storyline and elements that share similarities to those from the Grand Theft Auto series.
The player assumes control of a vehicle and performs a variety of missions to progress through the game's storyline, and has an option for free-roam and is able to commit certain actions to increase their ranks, such as attacking rival gangs, destroying opposing vehicles or creating havoc in the city.
The player starts with only one vehicle to choose, though more can be unlocked as the game progresses, either by completing certain missions or collecting special unlockable parts. Vehicles range from simple muscle cars to modified pickup trucks and a variety of armored vehicles; all are armed with a machine gun in the front and a turret gun in the back, operated by a gunner. Additional weapons, such as rockets, guided missiles or explosives, can be obtained or purchased throughout the game with limited ammunition.
The main goal of the game is to increase the criminal reputation of the player in the form of "ranks". Criminal ranks can be achieved by killing or attacking rival gangs, destroying vehicles, street racing or optionally killing other criminals in the city.
Main storyline missions are given by characters as the game's bosses, most of whom engage in a battle, usually in their final encounter with the player. Completing storyline missions will unlock more parts of the city to explore, as well as various customizations, weapons and vehicles.
Upon completion of certain missions or side jobs, the player is able to purchase upgrades in modification garages around the city. Upgrades allow any vehicle to have its performance improved, increased ammunition capacity, or added armor for better protection against enemy attacks.
As the game progresses, the player will unlock and obtain more weapons and vehicles. Unlocked vehicles can be accessed in the player's home garage, and new weapons will spawn at various points in the city or in front of the home garage.
Driving a gang-affiliated vehicle will cause a certain opposing gang to become hostile and continuously attack the player on sight until the vehicle is changed into a civilian one. Likewise, driving a police vehicle will cause all gangs in the entire city to attack and attempt to kill the protagonist, making the game more challenging.
Optionally, the attack can be used to gain advantage to increase the criminal ranks.
Plot
The story of this game is set in an alternate history inspired by classic post-apocalyptic road films like the Mad Max series and Death Race 2000. It starts after a lethal plague outbreak identified as "The Rot," which was released in the 1980s and which wiped out most of the world's population and brought society to its knees, going completely haywire with law and order collapsing and gangs roaming free to engage in open warfare throughout communities 24/7.
In the midst of the chaos, a man named Mason Strong arrives in Hell County after being betrayed by an organisation named "The Sentinels," who are set on recreating law and order by establishing a dictatorship. Mason is hired by the Daredevils, a gang of Irish immigrants led by the biracial "Uncle Woody." After being falsely accused of being a "rat," Mason kills Uncle Woody. He finds a new employer, The Section Eights - a gang of War Veterans at war with rival gangs. After defending a convoy, he captures the interest of South League - a gang that is trying to destroy The Sentinels. After doing a few jobs, he destroys The Sentinels' generators that power their propaganda broadcasts with bomb-planted RC cars. Mason confronts their leader "Axl" and, in a battle, kills him. Mason hears a radio broadcast from survivors, pleading for help. Mason gets into a vehicle and says "Buckle up kids, here we go again" before driving to an unknown location.
Reception
Electronic Gaming Monthly commented on this game, saying "It's like Twisted Metal: Black meets Grand Theft Auto."
GameSpy commented on this game, saying "If you're a fan of car combat... this is the only game in town."
References
- ↑ RoadKill. TotalPlaystation, cited in Metacritic
- ↑ "Midway Unleashes Havoc With RoadKill – The Only Mission-Based Combat Driving Game Set in a Post-Apocalyptic World".