Sunset Overdrive is a stylized answer to the question of what would happen if Ratchet and Clank and Jet Grind Radio got together and made a game-baby. The answer appears to be a game in which the colors are just loud enough to be heard down the street. This isn’t a bad thing: shades of grey and brown only go so far in the name of “realism”, so it’s appreciated to see a different color palette coming into the AAA fray. Sunset Overdrive offers not only a single-player mode with a customizable character, but the ability to import that character into a multiplayer mode called “Chaos Squad”. This game more is just as loud as the campaign, with the same silly nature of weapons, traps, and costumes.
Chaos Squad allows a team of eight to work together to solve objectives and complete missions. The preview build found our team defending vats of Overcharge energy drink from waves of mutants, or OD’s who were once people before consuming the drink. The weapons, while serving the standard purpose in many cases are still irreverent; using a propane launcher works the same way as a rocket launcher might, but the change up adds a layer of charm.
The controls feel comfortable. At no point did it really feel as though the the button-mapping restrained the ability to move around the rails or blast away at baddies. The melee of the game seemed circumstantially applicable; if you aren’t the target then it is more-than sufficient. That is, until more enemies types such as the larger “hurker”.
Chaos Squad often gets loud in a good way. A lot of action can be taking place onscreen but somehow doesn’t detract from the experience. The fast-paced traversal present in the single-player we’ve seen is also an available avenue in Chaos Squad. Rooftops, neon wires, and building edges all serve as grinding surfaces on top of the walls that players can run along.
My one concern is whether or not the movement is at the core of multiplayer. In all the single-player assets, movement is frenetic. The same modes of movement were abundant in the preview, but it wasn’t long before players decided to hedge their bets on shooting their way through the streets on foot. I should note that not only was I not above this tactic, but I also had fun doing it because of Insomniac’s take on presentation and self-awareness. However, it will still be nice to see one of the more distinguishable aspects of the game permeate the multiplayer. Look for Sunset Overdrive on the Xbox One this October.
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