RoadKill (video game)

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.”[1]

RoadKill
Developer(s)	Terminal Reality
Publisher(s)	Midway Games
Engine	Infernal Engine
Platform(s)	GameCube, Xbox, PlayStation 2
Release	PlayStation 2 & Xbox NA: October 13, 2003 PAL: November 21, 2003 GameCube NA: October 30, 2003
Genre(s)	Action, vehicular combat, Grand Theft Auto clone
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

RoadKill is a vehicular combat game, and its gameplay is very similar to Twisted Metal, with a mission-based storyline and open-world elements inspired by Grand Theft Auto III.

The player character assumes control of an 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.

Plot

The game takes place a fictional city known as "Hell County" after a deadly pandemic called "The Rot" broke out before the events of the game and proceeded to wipe out most of the population of the city. Law and order collapses and gangs roam free to engage in warfare using vehicles armed with guns and explosives 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 ruthless terrorist organization known as the "Sentinels", led by Axl, who is a corrupt police that he used to assist and are set on recreating law and order by building a dictatorship, with a goal of eliminating other gangs and enslaving survivors in the city. Mason went against them because of this and thus, was betrayed and left for dead. While in Lava Falls, Mason is hired by the Daredevils, a British punk gang led by a psychopathic pimp named Woody. After being falsely accused of dealing with a rival Hispanic gang, Mason ends up in a shootout against the Daredevils and kills Woody in the process.

He travels to Blister Canyon and finds a new employer, General Warwick - an former military officer 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 , Mason is sent to assassinate the Talons' leaders Drake and Grim, before making his way into Paradise City to be hired by a gang named South League. Mason helps the South League defend their from a rival syndicate 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 kills all of Axl's henchmen before destroying Axl's vehicle. Axl crawls from the wreckage 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 other survivors, pleading for help and claims someone has set things right. Mason then drives away to an unknown location.

Reception

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]

References

1. "Midway Unleashes Havoc With RoadKill – The Only Mission-Based Combat Driving Game Set in a Post-Apocalyptic World". Midway Games. April 17, 2003. Archived from the original on January 8, 2006. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
2. EGM staff (November 2003). "RoadKill". Electronic Gaming Monthly (172): 171. Archived from the original on January 6, 2004. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
3. Zoss, Jeremy (October 2003). "RoadKill (PS2)". Game Informer (126): 118. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
4. "RoadKill (Xbox)". Game Informer (126): 139. October 2003.
5. Dan Elektro (October 14, 2003). "RoadKill Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
6. Dodson, Joe (October 2003). "Roadkill [sic] Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
7. Kasavin, Greg (October 10, 2003). "RoadKill Review". GameSpot. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
8. Fischer, Russ (October 10, 2003). "GameSpy: RoadKill (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on October 31, 2005. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
9. Fischer, Russ (October 10, 2003). "GameSpy: RoadKill (Xbox)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on December 26, 2005. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
10. Watkins, Rob (October 26, 2003). "RoadKill - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
11. Raymond, Justin (November 4, 2003). "RoadKill - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on April 4, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
12. Carle, Chris (November 4, 2003). "Roadkill [sic] (GCN)". IGN. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
13. Carle, Chris (October 14, 2003). "RoadKill (PS2)". IGN. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
14. Carle, Chris (October 14, 2003). "Roadkill [sic] Review (Xbox)". IGN. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
15. "RoadKill". Nintendo Power. 176: 150. February 2004.
16. Davison, John (November 2003). "RoadKill". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 138. Archived from the original on March 25, 2004. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
17. "RoadKill". Official Xbox Magazine: 104. November 2003.
18. Porter, Alex (October 14, 2003). "RoadKill". Maxim. Archived from the original on February 3, 2004. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
19. "RoadKill for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
20. "RoadKill for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
21. "RoadKill for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 31, 2016.

External links

• RoadKill at MobyGames