Hell Hath No Fury Like a Semi Scorned
While comparisons along the lines of 'Spy Hunter meets Grand Theft Auto' (meets Frogger?) may be unavoidable, this game is a fantastically creative yet simple take on top-down driving games. Like an impossibly difficult, quarter-eating arcade game, it's smooth, fast-paced, and highly skill-based. The game graphics, music, sound effects, and announcer are well-matched for an immersive environment of unfolding carnage that would bring a tear to the likes of Mausland lovers.
The game execution is fantastic, including subtle refined elements such as flavor text if the player tries to "brake" (back arrow), La Cucaracha and other tailored sound effects, and not to mention the fact that you can slightly guide your vehicle-hop trajectory even after you've initiated it. And diagonals in the first place, good call.
As difficult as the game is, there is unexpected mercy in places, such as the forgiving nature of ramming a palm tree at full speed not causing any damage. And it's nice that cops will stop at road cones even if you're, ya know, on an auto theft and manslaughter spree.
A subtle, simple enhancement would be to enable right-arrow to advance from the main menu (maybe I was just button-mashing after game-overs but I kept finding myself at the main screen and having to reach for the mouse to then get back into the game). Another possible tweak could be a friendly screen-flash or other announcement as your Fury runs out.
The only way I could envision making this game more mind-warpingly fast-paced and skills-based would be the ability to charge a meter that allows you to "reverse time" like Braid or Prince of Persia Sands of Time. You could also try a cash / upgrade system, but honestly the game is so good it doesn't need a tokeneconomy / JRPG to try to make the game more enjoyable. I suppose an unlockable "bestiary" of sorts would be nice -- that is, specs and information on vehicles you've conquered, to show maybe their name, acceleration, maximum speed, health, and damage.
I haven't figured out how to jump jet to jet yet.. and I beat the game but didn't get the "Boss Defeated" medal (does it have to be start-to-finish with no continues? Yikes if so). It took me 3 hours and 393 deaths before I beat the game for the first time.
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