RoadKill (video game)

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 character assumes control of a improvised combat vehicle, performs a variety of missions to progress through the game's storyline, has an option for free-roam and is able to commit certain actions to increase their criminal ranks, such as attacking rival gangs, destroying enemy vehicles or creating havoc in the city.

The player starts with only one vehicle to choose, though more vehicles can be unlocked as the game progresses, either by completing certain missions or by participating in a scavenger hunt. To fit the post-apocalyptic setting, most vehicles are heavily modified and armored 1970s muscle cars, SUV's, pickup trucks and vans; all of which are armed with mounted machine guns. Additional weapons, such as RPGs, guided missiles, sniper rifles and various explosives, can be obtained or purchased throughout the game with limited ammunition. In several missions, the player is required to control the turret gun to attack enemies whilst driven around.

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 and street racing.

The game features three different islands of the city, and each island has its own boss, whom the player engages in a one-on-one battle to unlock the next island and progress through the storyline. In order to confront the boss, the player must complete storyline missions and jobs given by other characters, most of whom are gang leaders. Storyline missions would also unlock various customizations, weapons and vehicles.

Upon completion of certain missions or side jobs, the player is able to purchase upgrades. Upgrades allow any vehicle to have its performance improved, increased ammunition capacity, or added armor for better protection against enemy attacks. Upgrades can be obtained by visiting special garages labeled as "shops", in exchange for money.

As the game progresses, the player unlocks and obtains more weapons and vehicles. Unlocked vehicles can be accessed in the player's garage, and new weapons would spawn at various points in the city or in front of the garage. Vehicles come in two types; normal and gang-affiliated. Gang-affiliated cars are mostly distinguished by their brighter colors and appear to be more customized when compared to normal cars.

Driving a gang-affiliated vehicle will cause a certain opposing gang to become hostile and continuously attack the player on sight until he escapes their territory. Likewise, driving a law enforcement vehicle will cause all gangs in the entire city to attack and attempt to kill the protagonist, making the game more challenging. In addition, the game also features a "Riot" level which determines the number of police and enemy gangs that chase the player. When the Riot level is at maximum, the player automatically enters a "Survival" mission; where the goal is to evade and survive attacks from both the police and rival gangs. Said level can be gained by destroying police vehicles and killing any nearby police officers on the streets.

The game takes place a fictional city known as "Hell County" after a lethal plague pandemic called "The Rot" broke out before the events of the game and proceeded to wipe out most of the population of the United States. Law and order collapses and violent gang roam free to engage in warfare using vehicles armed with machine guns and land mines throughout every community. The city is split into three districts; the commercial district, ("Lava Falls"), the industrial district ("Blister Canyon"), and the residential district ("Paradise City").

In the aftermath of the chaos, a survivor named Mason Strong arrives in Lava Falls after escaping from a terrorist organization known as the "Sentinels" led by Axl, who is a corrupt cop that used to assist and are set on recreating law and order by building a ruthless dictatorship which commits slavery against survivors and other civilians. Mason went against them because of this and thus, was betrayed and left for dead.

Mason is hired by the Daredevils, a gang of punks led by a deranged pimp named Woody. After being falsely accused of striking a deal with a rival gang, the Daredevils turn hostile against him and Mason kills Woody in revenge.

He travels to Blister Canyon and finds a new employer, General Warwick - an eccentric war veteran and his right-hand man Gunny. Mason helps Warwick and Gunny against the Talons, a tattooed skinhead gang vying for control on the city. After defending Warwick's businesses and killing the Talons' leader Gordon Grim, he makes his way into Paradise City to be hired by an street gang named South League. Mason helps the South League defend their businesses from a local street gang called Dreg Lords, and he is introduced to their leader, Knox, who offers him alliance and protection against the Sentinels.

After doing a few jobs for Knox, he is hired for one final job; destroying Sentinels' generators that power their propaganda broadcasts with bomb-planted RC cars. Afterwards, Mason confronts Axl personally before engaging in a climactic battle, with Axl using a tank-like vehicle and his henchmen pursuing Mason on the streets. Mason fends off Axl's henchmen, destroys Axl's vehicle and wins the battle. Axl survives the destruction and attempts to shoot Mason, only to be run over by a bus. With Axl's rule completely taken down, Mason hears a radio broadcast from survivors, pleading for help. Mason then drives away to an unknown location.

Reception

Review scores Publication Score GC PS2 Xbox EGM 6.17/10[2] 6.17/10[2] 6.17/10[2] Game Informer N/A 6/10[3] 6.5/10[4] GamePro N/A [5] N/A GameRevolution B−[6] B−[6] B−[6] GameSpot 7.6/10[7] 7.6/10[7] 7.6/10[7] GameSpy N/A [8] [9] GameZone N/A 7.8/10[10] 6.5/10[11] IGN 7.7/10[12] 7.7/10[13] 7.7/10[14] Nintendo Power 1.3/5[15] N/A N/A OPM (US) N/A [16] N/A OXM (US) N/A N/A 8.6/10[17] Maxim 4/10[18] 4/10[18] 4/10[18] Aggregate score Metacritic 64/100[19] 71/100[20] 68/100[21]

The game received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[19][20][21]

• RoadKill at MobyGames