As far as the free games practice goes, while many developers did say it pays off for them, they also addressed concerns about how consumers can just wait and get the game for free rather than purchasing it off the bat.

Foosball 2012’s Mikyska stated that, “I won’t make every game available for free on PS Plus. If players come to expect that every game from a developer will be eventually made available for free, it will eat into day one purchases. I’d determine it on a case-by-case basis.”

How is that determined though? “It’s totally up to us. If a game’s on there, it’s safe to assume that the publisher or developer was satisfied with the agreement.”

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

The game will be released on myriad gaming platforms: it’s currently available on Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS Vita and PC.

It was already released on platforms like PS3, PS Vita and PC last year on October 9, 2012, and the Xbox Live version was released on January 2, 2013. The game was developed by Vblank Entertainment.

Through its world, characters and missions, Retro City Rampage lampoons the entire 8-bit era –from its games to the TV, movies and pop culture. [reference]

The game is completely DRM free on PC and is available on Steam and GOG.

• 1. Development
• 2. Plot
• 3. Gameplay
• 4. Soundtrack

Development

The game supports 3D and based on the type of game it is, the 3D functionality works really well. Not all missions are playable though and it’s not clear whether they have increased the amount of levels that can be played with 3D or not.

As an homage to numerous 8-bit videogames, Retro City Rampage incorporates design elements from a lot of different genres. Although it is primarily played from a top-down bird’s-eye viewpoint, in specific sections, it may switch to a strictly two-dimensional perspective in the style of a 2D platformer.

The game also features 16 graphical filters that simulate various retro computers and game consoles.

The concept for Retro City Rampage originally came from a homebrew project that began in 2002. In his spare time, game programmer Brian Provinciano constructed his own Nintendo Entertainment System development kit and set about remaking one of his favourite titles, Grand Theft Auto III, with 8-bit sprite graphics, under the codename of Grand Theftendo.

At the 2011 Game Developers Conference, he revealed his methods, showing how, over several years, he built advanced software tools to help him overcome the limitations of Nintendo Entertainment System hardware, before eventually shifting development to the PC. [reference]

The game pays tribute to many titles through its storytelling, levels and character abilities, such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Mega Man, Contra and Bionic Commando, among others. The game also pays tribute to “cheesy” one-liners, television shows and pop culture, as well as cameos including Phil Fish (creator of Fez), Billy Campbell, and Phil Guerrero (of YTV fame).

The game is playable in 5 Languages: English, Français, Italiano, Deutsch, Español. It features Steam Leaderboards and achivements. It also supports Keyboards, Joysticks, Gamepads and other Game Controllers.

Plot

In Retro City Rampage, players take control of a henchman of a major crime syndicate known as the Jester. The game is inspired by Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto games, in that the player can complete a variety of missions within an enormous city that is open to explore.

Here’s the official description given by V Blank Games.

“The entire open-world is in danger.

The player is out for a friendly frolic of crime capers when suddenly ambushed by evil good guys. They will stop at nothing to end his rampage of doom threatening the citizens of Theftropolis City. Are you bad enough to defeat the evil good guys?

Retro City Rampage lets you play as the player. Take the wheel with five-finger discounts on over 30 vehicles and wield over 20 weapons that will make you say “whoa”! Run down innocent pedestrians to hear the magnificent monophonic modulated sounds.

Order a pint of sour milk” from the barkeep to make yourself sick and avoid taking responsibility for your actions. At some point, defeat the evil good guys then relax and go do it, when you want an iced tea.”

Gameplay

Retro City Rampage is a parody of the open-world action genre, it takes modern game mechanics and mashes them into an authentic 8-bit experience.

Equal parts fast paced arcade action and an epic mission based story mode, it’s all the driving and shooting you’d expect and a whole lot more! With missions that twist pages straight from classic game experiences, you get to re-live and rewrite history in a way only a modern anti-hero could.

It contains over 60 story missions. Gameplay mechanics like Driving, Shooting, Stealth, Platforming, Swimming, Rhythm, and much more.Over 40 Arcade Challenges. It allows gamers to record and share replays.

The game contains over 25 Weapons & Power-Ups: From Lightguns to Bionic Arms, Rockets, Guitars and “Grogotovs”. It also also allows you over 50 vehicles to steal including cars, Trucks, Bikes, Vans, Skateboards and Tanks
Equip Guns, Rockets, Flames & Nitro!

There are over 200 character customizations which allows you to change the hair styles, Tattoos, Glasses, Even Plastic Surgery. It also features a huge open world to explore including buildings, shops, and activities. [reference]

Soundtrack

1. Retro City Rampage Title Song (virt) (free) 02:07

2. Will to Survive (Norrin Radd) 01:42

3. Cleaning up the Streets (Norrin Radd) 01:20

4. Joy Ride (Norrin Radd) 01:53

5. Proton Decay (Norrin Radd) 00:57

6. Not Mega… (virt) 01:55

7. Renegade (Norrin Radd) 02:22

8. Dance Off (Norrin Radd) 00:36

9. Sidegirl Revenge (Freaky DNA) 02:39

10. Do or Die (Norrin Radd) 00:47

11. Dr. Von Buttnick (Norrin Radd) 00:49

12. Action / Chase (virt) 01:30

13. Side Complete (virt) 00:05

14. Half Steppin’ (Freaky DNA) 03:07

15. Karaage (Freaky DNA) 01:15

16. Camel Toed Lady (Freaky DNA) 01:51

17. Toadstool Om Nom (Freaky DNA) 01:37

18. Mission Briefing / Danger (virt) 01:44

19. Riff Down (Freaky DNA) 01:30

20. Bit Happy (Freaky DNA) 03:48

21. Tune 6 (Norrin Radd) 01:15

22. Smut Peddler (Norrin Radd) 01:13

23. Not Nate… (virt) 02:05

24. Side Complete (virt) 00:05

25. Beach Ninjas (Norrin Radd) 01:00

26. Bit Bop (Freaky DNA) 02:34

27. Betting Zoo (Norrin Radd) 00:38

28. Monsieur Piedlourde (Freaky DNA) 01:17

29. Nordic Night (Norrin Radd) 00:44

30. Wobbly Thrown (Freaky DNA) 01:15

31. One Last Quest (Norrin Radd) 02:22

32. Smash Me (Freaky DNA) 03:34

33. Politeness and Friendship (Norrin Radd) 00:53

34. Salsa Faceoff (Freaky DNA) 01:11

35. Side Complete (virt) 00:05

A parody of the open-world action genre, Retro City Rampage takes modern game mechanics and mashes them into an authentic 8-bit experience. Equal parts fast paced arcade action and an epic mission based story mode, it’s all the driving and shooting you’d expect and a whole lot more! With missions that twist pages straight from classic game experiences, you get to re-live and rewrite history in a way only a modern anti-hero could!

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.