This Action Roguelike Mainlines Endorphins to My Brain - Redline Crooks Review
258You can Pick up Redline crooks here:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2454350/REDLINE_CROOKS/
Join my discord (don't forget to drop a comment here too before you go!): https://discord.gg/CJZqUWvKfQ
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Script:
Redline crooks is a top down action roguelike about endangering literally everyone on the road, a market normally reserved for twitch streamers with super cars that their little baby hands can hardly control
My too long did not watch review: this game feels as good as kicking one hundred children's sandcastles in a row and has the features, unlocks and daily leaderboards to keep me coming back for more. I recommend it.
Just a heads up, I got this game via a review code. This is the first in a long time to energize me enough for a review. So congratulations Alexander Golke, your game survived the Squid Game of my email inbox which is all the recommendation it should need but apparently people want a explanation for everything.
A lot of Indy games can sort of feel a little lean but this one feels "full" if you know what I mean, engorged even. It's got a missions tab, daily and weekly online scoreboards, multiple little unlocks for each car over time. It's the bow on a tight little package, and I always love a tight little package.
Let me describe it in all it’s veiny details. Gameplay goes like this: pick a driver with stats and an alt ability that works for you. Earn money and HP back by using your basic slam, alt, or boost to ricocheted cars for big combos and endorphin hits to the brain. HP doubles also your boosting resource so there's always the tension of whether you should be aggro or conservative.
Finally Score high for extra cash to spend between stages and unlock stuff for your meta progression.
You have a horn which taunts enemies behind to boost in front which is handy for builds with forward facing abilities or a quick sideslam. This might be the first game I regularly use a taunt button. It's usually something I accidentally do in Tekken to spread my cheeks for a pounding.
The actual stages themselves are just random squiggly lines. With walls you can tunnel through if you have the speed. You never get the Sonic conundrum of constantly being slowed down in a game that looks like it wants you to go fast. If you come to a full stop in this game it's because you absolutely deserve it and the game wants you to know. It's usually a teachable moment After you get spanked by one of the larger enemies. Baddies have a neat variety and I'm certain I haven't seen them all yet cause I haven't even beaten the boss stage yet, which came as such a surprise I screamed my way to my grave.
The standard driver you start the game with has a basic forward dash attack which just feels right if not basic, a real soldier 76 of cars. I was worried that the other drivers would feel like Venture, a gimmick afterthought, but they all feel awesome, unique and worth experimenting with.
capturing footage for this review made me realise that I did not do this game enough justice in my writeup. It's a thinking mans game cosplaying as idiot dumb fun. It's chess glued to the hood of a nascar. Also it's music kicks ass I forgot to say that anywhere.
The combat in this game feels great, and the moment to moment decision making keeps it engaging as you decide how to balance your HP, your aggro, your targets, and your boost damage bonuses to finesse your way through the stage. In terms of a skill ceiling this game is a vaulted cathedral, and I’m ready to go to church.