Jump to content

Sunset Overdrive

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sunset Overdrive
Developer(s)Insomniac Games[a]
Publisher(s)Microsoft Studios
Director(s)Marcus Smith
Drew Murray
Producer(s)Bryan Intihar
Designer(s)Cameron Christian
Programmer(s)Doug Sheahen
Artist(s)Jacinda Chew
Writer(s)Jon Paquette
Composer(s)Boris Salchow
Platform(s)
ReleaseXbox One
  • NA: October 28, 2014
  • AU: October 30, 2014
  • EU: October 31, 2014
Microsoft Windows
  • WW: November 16, 2018
Genre(s)Action-adventure, third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer[b]

Sunset Overdrive is an action-adventure shooter video game created by Insomniac Games. It was published by Microsoft Studios. It was announced at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2013. It was released worldwide for Xbox One in October 2014 and for Microsoft Windows in November 2018. The Microsoft Windows version was published by THQ Nordic. The game happens in 2027, in a fictional metropolis called Sunset City. The player controls an employee of FizzCo, who has to fight off the OD. OD is short for Overcharge Drinkers: people who have turned into monsters after drinking FizzCo's energy drink. The player character can wall-run, use zip-lines, and grind rails to easily move through Sunset City. The player also has a lot of weapons they can use. The game also has a cooperative multiplayer mode called Chaos Squad. That mode is where players to complete missions with seven players. As the game focuses on movement and momentum, the game does not have any cover system.

The game received mostly positive reviews. People liked its visuals, movement system, combat system, and humor. However, the game was criticized for not having a good story or innovative quest design. It received many nominations, including Best Xbox Game of the Year awards from many different gaming publications. The game was supported with multiple downloadable content. It includes the story-based The Mystery of the Mooil Rig and Dawn of the Rise of the Fallen Machine, after the game's release.

Gameplay

[change | change source]

Sunset Overdrive is an action-adventure game set in a third-person perspective. Players go through a city called Sunset City. It takes place in the year 2027. This dystopian world has been overrun by mutants called the OD, short for Overcharge Drinkers. The player character is a former FizzCo employee, their job was to clean up the mess left behind from a party FizzCo had. FizzCo had a party to celebrate its new energy drink, Overcharge Delirium XT.[1]

At the start of the game, players can change the character's gender, body type, hairstyle, and outfit using the character creator.[2][3] Players may also change the look of their character whenever they want during the game by going to a vendor named Callista.[4] After creating their characters, players proceed to the game's open world, which is free for players to explore at any time. A fast travel system is provided. It allows players to got to different places and to mvoe in the world quickly.[5]

Throughout the game, players fight both human enemies, FizzCo's robots,[6] the OD, and bosses.[2][7] The game has many different weapons for players to use fight. These include an assault rifle (called the AK-FU) and the TNTeddy grenade launcher, which fires teddy bears connected to dynamite,[8] fireworks and toy helicopters.[9]

The game's combat focuses on velocity. It wants players to defeat enemies quickly. Because of this, players can use different moves. These moves include wall running, air-dashing, zip lining, doing parkour, acrobatics, and water traversal.[10][11]

Sunset Overdrive was one of the first Xbox One exclusives shown at Microsoft's press conference at E3 2013.[12] The first gameplay details were shown by gaming magazine Edge in May 2014.[13] A gameplay demo and a release date announcement happened at E3 2014.[14] On November 15, 2018, it was said that the game would be released for both Windows 10 and Steam on November 16, 2018 without the multiplayer.[15] THQ Nordic published the game's retail version. Microsoft kept its digital publishing rights.[16]

Players can purchase the game's Season Pass. It adds new in-game items, places, quests, and bosses.[17]

A three-hour free trial of the game was available for players to download. It was available for short time.[18]

Reception

[change | change source]

Critical reception

[change | change source]
Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PC) 83/100[19]
(XONE) 81/100[20]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid8.5/10[21]
EGM9/10[22]
Game Informer9.25/10[23]
GameRevolution5/5 stars[24]
GameSpot8/10[26]
GamesRadar+4/5 stars[25]
IGN9/10[27]
Joystiq5/5 stars[28]
Polygon9/10[29]

Sunset Overdrive received "generally positive" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[19][20]

List of awards and nominations for Sunset Overdrive
Year Award Category Recipient Ref.
2014 IGN's Best of E3 2014 Awards Best Xbox One Game Won [30]
Best Action/Adventure Game Nominated [30]
Best Trailer Nominated [30]
Best Original Game Nominated [30]
2014's Game Critics Awards Best Original Game Nominated [31]
Best Action/Adventure Game Nominated [31]
IGN's Gamescom 2014 Awards Best Console Game Microsoft Xbox Nominated [32]
The Game Awards 2014 Best Score/Soundtrack Nominated [33]
Best Action/Adventure Game Nominated [33]
Hardcore Gamer's Best of 2014 Best Xbox One Game Won [34]
Best Artistic Design Nominated [35]
Best New IP Nominated [36]
2014's Dark Horse Nominated [36]
Best New Character (Fizzie) Nominated [37]
Best Action Game Nominated [38]
Game Revolution's Best of 2014 Game of the Year Nominated [39]
Best Developer (Insomniac Games) Nominated [40]
Best Xbox Console Exclusive Won [41]
GameTrailers' Best of 2014 Awards Best Xbox Exclusive Nominated [42]
Destructoid's Best of 2014 Best World Design Nominated [43]
Best Game Mechanics Nominated [44]
IGN's Best of 2014 Best Action-Adventure Nominated [45]
Best Overall Game Nominated [45]
Best Xbox One Game Won [45]
Most Humorous Nominated [45]
IGN AU Black Beta Select Awards Best Visual Design Nominated [46]
Best Original Game Won
Best Console Game Nominated
Overall Game of the Year Nominated
National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR) awards Song Collection Nominated [47]
2015 2015 Golden Joystick Awards Best Original Game Nominated [48]
Best Visual Design Nominated
Xbox Game of the Year Nominated

On September 13, 2018, Insomniac Games said they wanted to make a sequel to Sunset Overdrive.[49] However, because the rights to the intellectual property is owned by Insomniac, they would need to find a new publisher.[50] In August 2019, Insomniac Games was bought by Sony Interactive Entertainment. SIE Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden said that Sunset Overdrive 2 is not important for Sony and Insomniac.[51]

  1. Ported to PC by Blind Squirrel Games.
  2. Only the Xbox One version has multiplayer.

References

[change | change source]
  1. Moriarty, Colin (May 8, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive: Open World Adventures in the Awesomepocalypse". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Kietzmann, Ludwig (May 8, 2014). "Slide until you die in Xbox One's crazy Sunset Overdrive". Joystiq. Engadget. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  3. Maiberg, Emanuel (July 27, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive Character Customization Lets You Be Emo, Goth, Metal, And Everything In-Between". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  4. LeJacq, Yannick (October 28, 2015). "Tips For Playing Sunset Overdrive". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  5. Reeves, Ben (August 13, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive: Insomniac's Shooter Makes No Sense, But We Like It That Way". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  6. Hilliard, Kyle (August 12, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive: You'll Be Fighting More Than Monsters And Competing Gangs". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  7. "The Best Boss Battles Of 2014". IGN. January 2, 2015. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  8. Kato, Matthew (May 30, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive's Exploding Teddy Bears & Vinyl Records". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  9. Owen, Phil (August 5, 2014). "Our First Real Look At Sunset Overdrive". Kotaku. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  10. Dyer, Mitch (September 17, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive Is Silly, Stylish and Incredibly Smart". IGN. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  11. Lien, Tracey (June 11, 2013). "Sunset Overdrive turns a city ravaged by catastrophe into your playground". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  12. Veloria, Lorenzo (June 10, 2015). "Sunset Overdrive trailer revealed at Microsoft E3 presser". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  13. Nunneley, Stephany (May 8, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive details emerge from latest issue of Edge". VG247. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  14. Karmali, Luke (June 9, 2015). "E3 2014: Sunset Overdrive. Release Date Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  15. Webster, Andrew (November 16, 2018). "Over-the-top shooter Sunset Overdrive is out today on PC". The Verge. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  16. Tarason, Dominic (November 16, 2018). "Sunset Overdrive grinds onto PC today minus multiplayer". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  17. Blake, Vikki (September 9, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive Season Pass Detailed". IGN. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  18. Saed, Sherif (June 10, 2015). "Sunset Overdrive free trial available now for a limited time". VG247. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  19. 19.0 19.1 "Sunset Overdrive for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  20. 20.0 20.1 "Sunset Overdrive for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  21. Carter, Chris (October 27, 2014). "Review: Sunset Overdrive". Destructoid. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  22. L. Patterson, Mollie (October 27, 2014). "EGM Review: Sunset Overdrive". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  23. Reinier, Andrew (October 27, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive: Insomniac Games Is Home From War". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  24. Bischoff, Daniel (October 24, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  25. Sullivan, Lucas (October 27, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive review". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  26. Brown, Peter (October 27, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  27. Silva, Marty (October 27, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive review". IGN. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  28. Prell, Sam (October 27, 2014). "Sunset Overdrive review: It's my party". Joystiq. Engadget. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  29. Gies, Arthur (October 27, 2015). "Sunset Overdrive review: Agent Orange". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 "IGN's Best of E3 2014 Awards". IGN. Ziff Davis. June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on July 18, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  31. 31.0 31.1 "2014 Nominees". Game Critics Awards. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  32. Karmali, Luke (August 6, 2014). "GamesCom 2014: Evolve Leads GamesCom 2014 Awards With 5 Nominations". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  33. 33.0 33.1 Samit Sarkar (November 21, 2014). "Here are the nominees for The Game Awards 2014". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  34. "Best of 2014 – Day Two: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Wii U". Hardcore Gamer. December 24, 2014. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  35. "Best of 2014 – Day Four: Graphics, Art, Story, Writing". Hardcore Gamer. December 26, 2014. Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  36. 36.0 36.1 "Best of 2014 – Day Five: IP, Sequel, Remaster, Dark Horse". Hardcore Gamer. December 27, 2014. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  37. "Best of 2014 – Day Six: Character, Strategy, Adventure, Sports". Hardcore Gamer. December 27, 2014. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  38. "Best of 2014 – Day Eight: Action, Shooter, DLC, Multiplatform". Hardcore Gamer. December 31, 2014. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  39. Nicholas Tan (December 24, 2014). "Best of 2014 Awards: Game of the Year". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  40. Daniel Bischoff (December 24, 2014). "Best of 2014 Awards: Best Developer". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  41. Daniel Bischoff (December 20, 2014). "Best of 2014 Awards: Best Xbox Console Exclusive". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  42. "GameTrailers Best of 2014 Awards". GameTrailers. December 31, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  43. Steven Hansen (December 20, 2014). "Nominees for Destructoid's Best World Design of 2014". Destructoid. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  44. Brittany Vincent (December 19, 2014). "Nominees for Destructoid's Best Game Mechanics of 2014". Destructoid. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  45. 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 "IGN Best of 2014". IGN. December 19, 2014. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  46. "IGN AU Black Beta Select Awards". IGN. December 28, 2014. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  47. "NAVGTR Awards (2014)". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. Archived from the original on 2017-03-22. Retrieved 2019-09-19.
  48. Blake, Vikki (September 2, 2015). "Vote for your favourite games in this year's Golden Joystick Awards". Destructoid. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  49. "Insomniac Would Love to Make Sunset Overdrive 2 - IGN Unfiltered". IGN. September 13, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  50. Skrebels, Joe (October 26, 2017). "Sunset Overdrive 2 Could Happen, Be Multiplatform, With the Right Publisher". IGN. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  51. Avard, Alex (August 20, 2019). "PlayStation isn't prioritising Sunset Overdrive 2 in wake of Insomniac acquisition". GamesRadar+. Retrieved August 25, 2019.

Other websites

[change | change source]

Media related to Sunset Overdrive at Wikimedia Commons