Insomniac Games produced a number of original titles, taking players through an insane co-op experience in Fuse to an alternate historical timeline with the first-person Resistance series, to jettisoning gamers into the far reaches of space with the Ratchet and Clank saga. For its latest effort, Sunset Overdrive, the team went off the rails, creating a fast-paced third-person action adventure that is anything but typical.
Teaming with Microsoft for the first time, Insomniac Games found a comfortable groove with Overdrive, and in turn, will provide the console with one of its biggest exclusives. Whether battling solo or bringing friends along for the ride, this is one of the most unique games coming out this year.
A future gone mad
The game takes place in a fictional city, where an energy drink becomes insanely popular. Unfortunately, it transforms a large chunk of the population into ugly monsters that will stop at nothing to destroy everything in their path.
As one of the remaining citizens, you jump into the fray using whatever weapons you have on hand to strike back against the invasion. It won't be easy, as the monsters come at you in considerable numbers, and also grow in size. Fortunately, you have no shortage of dangerous toys to kill them with.
It's easy to get around
In Sunset Overdrive, getting around is just as vital as having a finger on the trigger. Throughout the game, you'll perform amazing feats, jumping off bounce pads, grinding wires (by foot or hand) or running along walls, parkour-style, to reach your next objective.
Of course, once the player is on the ground, it's all about the firepower. Sunset Overdrive has some of the most unconventional weaponry you'll find in a video game. First up is the bowling ball cannon, which loads roughly five or six balls into an easy-to-shoot gun that deals massive damage to groups. Another noteworthy piece of hardware is the teddy bear gun, which shoots fluffy little toys at the unsuspecting monsters. Little do they realize, however, that these bears contain explosive surprises.
In addition, you'll be able to use secondary tools to hold back invading creatures, including cannons and explosives that, upon contact, leave most of them laying in gooey puddles.
Imaginative game design brings the apocalypse to life
For Sunset Overdrive, Insomniac Games went with a neon-style look for each part of the city, from the signs that glow on the walls to the creatures themselves, usually basked in bright orange. In addition, the hero will sport a lively appearance, as you can dress him up however you see fit, from steampunk-style designs to an assassin's coat, similar to a popular Ubisoft Assassins Creed franchise.
On top of that, the game runs at a brisk pace, and stays thoroughly fixed in a third-person viewpoint, so you can see everything happening around the character and prepare for any sort of attacks that come from behind.
Bring friends for Chaos Squad
Instead of a typical multiplayer mode, Sunset Overdrive comes with a powerful eight-person co-op offering called Chaos Squad. In this mode, it's the job of the team to defend three generators on a map that provide the energy needed for their weapons. Once these are shut down by waves of enemies, it's game over, so it's vital to keep them defended.
During the first of the three rounds, monsters come from the left. Then comes a crew of them running in from the right. As you might have guessed, the third wave is the real test, as enemies come from both sides, and your team will need to work together to fend them off.
Even without a competitive angle, Chaos Squad is genuinely fun, mainly because of the diversity of weapons available (eight in all, easily selectable from an awaiting wheel) and the secondary defences that can be set up. Plus, there's nothing like smacking a monster around with a melee attack, only to see it explode.
A delicious snack
There's no question that Insomniac Games delivered on genuinely inventive experiences before, but Sunset Overdrive looks to be a new triumph for the team, between the superb gameplay and the presentation, which makes proper use of the Xbox One hardware. Prepare to kill the horde with style on 31st October 2014.
