Retro Highway (Xbox One, 2021)

Retro Highway

Developed/Published by Gearhead Games

Released for Xbox One (10/22/2021)

Also on Android/iOS/Switch

 

 

Intro

Originally released for Android mobile platforms back in April 2018, Retro Highway received a port to both the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in late 2021. There are lots of gamers that instantly frown upon console ports of mobile games, but we're going into this one with an open mind so without using any more excess words let's get right into the review for Retro Highway...

Gameplay

Retro Highway draws heavy inspiration from classic clock-racing arcade-style driving games like Super Hang-On, Outrun and Rad Racer. While the time element has been removed in Retro Highway, much of what made those old games so great has made it into this game as well, mainly in the handling and dodging of obstacles and traffic. The game is basically an endless runner mixed with an old-school arcade motorcycle racer. As you progress through the game you'll unlock new stages, with a total of 6 different levels to see in the end. 

Brutal Chase (Xbox One, 2018)

Brutal Chase 

Developed/Published by Gamer Bear

Released for Xbox One (12/15/2018)

 

Brutal Chase was developed by Gamer Bear (the same ones that brought us Coconut Farm 3D) and was released under the Creators Collection program in December 2018. If you've ever played any of the arcade classic Chase HQ games then you'll know what to expect from Brutal Chase. The gameplay involves taking to the streets in a police car and ramming your vehicle into criminals as a means of apprehending them. We haven't had the best experience with these Creators Collection games thus far, but with such a cool premise and cheap price tag, I was more than willing to take a chance on this one. Without further ado, let's get into it and see if this one is worth ninety-nine cents that it cost to play it....

In Brutal Chase you'll smash up the cars of criminals in 9 different locations scattered across the globe. The game starts off in New York, but also features stages in San Francisco, Vancouver, Mexico, Isle of Man, Hamburg, Barcelona and Agra. As you smash up the criminals, you'll accumulate credits which can be spent between missions in order to upgrade your current car or purchase a new vehicle. There are a total of 5 vehicles to purchase, with each featuring more stats to grind your way towards upgrading. While pursuing the criminals you'll also have to watch out for civilian traffic, since colliding with innocent cars will deduct credits from your wallet. 

Space Police on Super Highway 9 (XBLIG, 2010)

Space Police on Super Highway 9
Developed by Haiku Interactive
Released for XBLIG (11/2010)

Space Police on Super Highway 9 is an interesting little indie game. You drive your police car viewed from a top-down perspective, much like the old arcade game APB or the early Grand Theft Auto titles. Your objective as a police officer is to drive down the highway, ramming into the criminal cars until they break down similar to the classic arcade Chase HQ series. So, the game draws inspiration from some old video game classics and I'd say the end results are a mixed bag. On the one hand, the premise is cool and is decently executed. The controls are tight and driving your car is a breeze. The graphics are detailed enough that I can tell what everything is supposed to be. The problem is that as far as I can tell the perpetrators only come in four different varieties. That's it, you just ride down the highway ramming the same four varieties of criminal cars until you inevitably break down. There's also civilian traffic to contend with and hitting innocent cars will subtract from your overall score. Your police cruiser comes equipped with a siren and the traffic will usually pull over to the side to allow you a straight path to ram the bad guys. You also have a turbo button which has to be charged up before you can unleash it. The game goes until you've depleted your health bar, which will automatically regenerate when not ramming into vehicles. Space Police on Super Highway 9 is definitely an above-average effort for XBLIG and if you're a big fan of classic overhead car games like Grand Theft Auto, Spy Hunter or APB I think you might enjoy this title.

Final Verdict: Space Police on Super Highway 9 features good simple arcade-style fun in the form of ramming into cars, but it can get rather monotonous in a hurry.

Related Links:
Space Police on Super Highway 9 - GameFAQs