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[Hendrick's]

Game had its ups and downs. The defend the base stuff was awful, and the gameplay was a bit on auto-pilot, but it had some funny moments and some nice exploration. Seems the type of game that needs a sequel to really shine, but that seems doubtful.

 

[cleveridea]

Most underrated game in this new console generation so far IMO

Deserved way way higher sales

 

[erawsd]

It never looked any fun to me based on the trailers and gameplay videos. However, my brother ended up getting it and so I decided to give it a chance and I'm really glad I did because I thought it was a ton of dumb fun. Easily the most fun traversal mechanics I've seen in an open world game of this type.

 

[Blues1990]

He makes a great point and I will elaborate what I think he/she meant by this.

Xbox crowd (here in the states) is without a doubt the shooter crowd, the gaming demographic that loves their racing, shooting, football, basketball games.

Last gen you can count on X360 to be the vanguard for MP shooters and games of that ilk.

When you think PlayStation you think of all of the above and in addition to that you think of zany, artsy and "different" types of games that totally go against convention and what is tried and true.

Parappa the Rapper on PS1, Frequency on PS2, Rain, Echochrome, The Puppeteer etc are games that most publishers would never greenlight because they don't appeal to the mass market.

Sunset Overdrive is just one such a game and the typical Xbox crowd usually don't buy these types of games. They know what they like and they stick to it

Granted this new IP launched in November of 2014 and couldn't duke it out with the established juggernauts that come out around the holidays. The CoDs and MCCs, Far Crys and Ass Creeds that came out.

I was about to reply & explain what I meant, but you did a better job than I ever could.

The game is fantastic in every sense of the word, but good luck with trying to convince your friends (specifically the shooter crowd that populates the Xbox demographic) that it's worth checking out. Trust me on this, as even when I was playing the game & offered the controller to my friends, they did not want to play it.

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

I thought Sunset Overdrive was great, but in a demographic that loves military settings, serious tones and themes, no nonsense soldiers and realism, there is no surprise that the game was misunderstood with it's wacky humor. Very underrated game imo.

 

[Rizific]

I didn't find anything special in Sunset overdrive. Bought it for $20 before GCU discount and didn't play more than a few hours. I never understood it's praise, but I guess its just not a game for me.

 

[possiblyphil]

SO and Horizon 2 are the only games I have finished on the console. Absolutely loved it other than the wonky defense sections

 

[FunkyPajamas]

I'm not sure what there is to misunderstand? By your own description it's not subtle, and that type of humour is bound to run some people the wrong way.

This is pretty much all that needs to be said, really. It's not a highly cerebral game that the plebs didn't "get". It's a game that appeals to a specific group of people and that group of people probably enjoyed the game. The rest just don't care. It's not a "hidden gem" or even a "diamond in the rough".

 

[Muchi Muchi Pink]

I would buy it, if I had an Xbox One.

#

 

[Spotless Mind]

I picked up an Xbox One a couple weeks ago pretty much just for this game. It was worth every cent. The traversal is so goddamn fun. Everything about it clicked for me.

 

[jossueinacoma]

Agree. Game is really good. It's absolutely underrated. For me it's the game of this gem so far...

 

[BrettWeir]

Never playing Sunset Overdrive, OP made me almost feel as if I were relapsing into an acid trip from years ago.

 

[Man Called Aerodynamics]

Sunset Overdrive was right up my alley in terms of the style and humor. Really wanted to like it. Unfortunately the traversal and combat wasn't fun for me.

 

[KooopaKid]

Random after random objectives. Aimless open-world shit. Paper-thin mechanics really. You are more or less invincible. What's the point?

 

[ViewtifulJC]

I'm not sure what could be misunderstood about a game that the interactive equivalent of this image

 

[AgentP]

Bad humor and transversal that plays against the shooting. I thought it was typical Insomniac trying to hard for its own good. I lost interest somewhere around the side quest for those douchebags in the pizza arcade.

 

[Booker Dewitt]

I'm not sure what could be misunderstood about a game that the interactive equivalent of this image

Because throwing in a

Spoiler

King Buzzo

cameo really plays with today's youth, that's what they were going for.

 

[tuna_love]

I'm not sure what could be misunderstood about a game that the interactive equivalent of this image

the game goes out of its way to be stupid, not to be cool. how does this even make sense?

 

[Shpeshal Nick]

It's Jet Set Radio, meets Ratchet and Clank.

Hard to take anyone's taste who doesn't like it seriously.

 

[Zvonimir Boban]

I think they made one huge game design mistake, being on the ground is not really a viable option. The constant grinding/bouncing/shooting mechanic makes the game hard to get into (took me over an hour to start feel comfortable with the controls) and limits choice for different play styles. I honestly stopped playing it around 2 hours in because of it, and I think this is the reason that it hasn't sold well. That said, I am thinking about giving it another shot sooner or later, as I love the world and colors.

It wasn't a mistake, it's a deliberate choice. After all, the first part of their E3 presentation was a joke about cover based shooters.

It does take time to get the hang of it but you should remember that the game provides a really generous aim assist because it wants you to focus more of your attention on finding a path that won't slow your momentum.

It's movement first, combat second.

 

[Iva Demilcol]

the game goes out of its way to be stupid, not to be cool. how does this even make sense?

Yeah, I've read many comments of people saying this game tries too hard to be cool... and I'm usually like... really? you think it's cool to use teddy bears as weapons and wear all those wacky outfits?

 

[Bgamer90]

There's so many counter exemple to this.

Like what?

 

[Monocle]

Yeah, I've read many comments of people saying this game tries too hard to be cool... and I'm usually like... really? you think it's cool to use teddy bears as weapons and wear all those wacky outfits?

When it comes to media, it's astounding how badly people can misread what's right in front of them. Audiences miss a hell of a lot sometimes. Hence the simplistic plots, instant gratification, and blatant exposition in products designed for mass appeal.

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

Random after random objectives. Aimless open-world shit. Paper-thin mechanics really. You are more or less invincible. What's the point?

Doesn't that describe most open world games though? At least Sunset tried to put a little imaginative twist and comedy to the tired formula imo.

 

[Monocle]

Random after random objectives. Aimless open-world shit. Paper-thin mechanics really. You are more or less invincible. What's the point?

That reminds me: Flower was shit!

But really. Simplicity, aimlessness, and near invincibility aren't inherently bad if you're doing fun activities. Sunset Overdrive provides loads of variety, and there are so many opportunities to just mess around in entertaining ways. Seems like you're blaming a well designed game for your own incompatible tastes.

 

[Krappadizzle]

My problem isn't that I couldn't get around fast, it's the fact that you always have to be above ground one way or another, or the mobs will kill you real fast.

You get a move, I can't remember what it's called, but you can do a short jump and smash down and it'll bounce you really high in the air, making finding a wall/wire to grind on pretty easy. It becomes one of the moves you'll use all the time to keep your combo going.

 

[PuppetMaster]

Welcome xbox gamers to the trials and tribulations of being an Insomniac games fan.

 

[Pimpbaa]

The game made me hate Xbox gamers. Probably one of best games of that year and yet they go buy some multi platform games instead. If you don't buy the great exclusives the system has, the less it will have in the future. If Crackdown tanks they I will lose what remaining faith I have in its user base.

 

[shandy706]

As someone who loved Spyro and Ratchet, SO is just crap really. I get it that they have a "theme" going on but it feels like they basically said "fuck it" to everything else and just put the very minimum in game design.

I have a hard time believing you've actually played it.

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

The game made me hate Xbox gamers. Probably one of best games of that year and yet they go buy some multi platform games instead. If you don't buy the great exclusives the system has, the less it will have in the future. If Crackdown tanks they I will lose what remaining faith I have in its user base.

Unfortunately, when I saw how colorful, unique and over-the-top the game looked, I knew it wasn't going to sell too well. I guess the boring and predictable NPD's every month are indicative of what type of games the demographic are not.

 

[outunderthestars]

Personally I thought the humor was overdone to the point that it, combined with the combo heavy constant movement based traversal just turned me off from the game at a very early stage. I also loathe any tower defense kind of thing as well.

It was a very pretty game though!

 

[Monocle]

As someone who loved Spyro and Ratchet, SO is just crap really. I get it that they have a "theme" going on but it feels like they basically said "fuck it" to everything else and just put the very minimum in game design.

WTF, the traversal alone is fantastic. You can string grinding, bouncing, rolling, pole swinging, wall running, and air dashing... Add to that a large set of off-the-wall weapons, a robust upgrade system, and a serious variety of challenges, sidequests, and collectables. What more could you reasonably expect? The game is packed with content and has excellent mechanics.

Tell me you played long enough to get the super bounce and air dash.

 

[Aselith]

The humor pissed some people off, but I bet those same people just LOVE stuff like Deadpool.

What is welcome in a short two hour span can become grating over 30. Plus differences in writing quality.

 

[Mobile Suit Gooch]

I would buy it, if I had an Xbox One.

Same. Just not the other way around.

 

[Azriell]

OP perfectly illustrates how the game tries so fucking hard and only ends up being annoying, to me. The supporting cast contains some of the most annoying, loathsome characters I've ever experienced. From the characters to the setting, set dressing, etc, Sunset Overdrive feels completely soulless when placed next to something like Jet Grind Radio.

Sunset Overdrive remains my biggest disappointment of the generation thus far.

 

[The Beard]

2 zany 4 me

It looked alright, but the "humor" kept me away. Not my cup of tea.

 

[etta]

It's so weird to see such a massive disconnect.

 

[Mr Git]

I've actually been wanting to play this on the basis of hearing people say it's fun, but seriously, John, your OP made me

All those things just sound like - how many lolrandom things can we squeeze in - and I can't help but find it grim. The humour is a turn off, frankly. I'll play it one day but I have a feeling it'll make me feel old and I'm not even old.

 

[Darksol]

The humor pissed some people off, but I bet those same people just LOVE stuff like Deadpool.

Deadpool is funny.

 

[Regiruler]

I would buy it, if I had an Xbox One.

Put me in the same boat (I'm waiting for scalebound). For the record, I don't have much of a desire for a PS4 either, but my brother bought one for our family without my input so w/e.

 

[ironcreed]

I'm not sure what could be misunderstood about a game that the interactive equivalent of this image

Fun might have something to do with it. Why is it that we play games again?

 

[Zvonimir Boban]

I've actually been wanting to play this on the basis of hearing people say it's fun, but seriously, John, your OP made me

All those things just sound like - how many lolrandom things can we squeeze in - and I can't help but find it grim. The humour is a turn off, frankly. I'll play it one day but I have a feeling it'll make me feel old and I'm not even old.

Nah, I'm old and miserable and I thought it was brilliant. Best game I've played so far this gen.

Just remember to use the superior female voice/character.

 

[etta]

Fun might have something to do with it. Why is it that we play games again?

For grafix

 

[ironcreed]

For grafix

Fortunately it looks great as well.

 

[Mass_Pincup]

Like what?

Like the Uncharted trilogy, LBP 1 and 2, Ratchet and Clank and Ni no Kuni.

All million or multi million sellers.

 

[etta]

Fortunately it looks great as well.

But 900p ughhh

Like the Uncharted trilogy, LBP 1 and 2, Ratchet and Clank and Ni no Kuni.

All million or multi million sellers.

How do you know this hasn't sold in the millions?

 

[GHG]

The humor pissed some people off, but I bet those same people just LOVE stuff like Deadpool.

The humour is not the same. One is obnoxious and the other isn't.

What's your point?

Its not a misunderstood game, its just polarizing. I grabbed the trial and found the game itself to be boring during my time with it. Just not my kind of game.

 

[Mr Git]

Nah, I'm old and miserable and I thought it was brilliant. Best game I've played so far this gen.

Just remember to use the superior female voice/character.

Yeah from clips I saw the male character looked particularly grating compared to the female. I will play it, although always extra encouraging to hear positive vibes from another miserable git.

 

[Dubz]

Haven't read many posts, but I gotta say I loved it until they threw in the RTS missions.

 

[Zvonimir Boban]

The humour is not the same. One is obnoxious and the other isn't.

What's your point?

Its not a misunderstood game, its just polarizing. I grabbed the trial and found the game itself to be boring during my time with it. Just not my kind of game.

Which one's obnoxious? The one with a handful of dick/masturbation jokes or Sunset Overdrive?