For a while now, there's been rumblings about a possible update to the 16-bit classic, Road Rash. And the desire, among long time fans, goes much further than that. The last installment we got was Road Rash: Jail Break, for the PSone and Game Boy Advance in 2000 and 2003 respectively. So a new installment is well overdue.
Late fall it was reported that Criterion, who are the current stewards of the Need For Speed franchise, was looking to breathe new life into yet another EA IP. Given their success with NFS, it certainly didn't sound like a bad idea. Still doesn't.
Well, Road Rash is indeed coming back, albeit in a completely unofficial capacity. In the form of Road Redemption, by DarkSeas Games:
According to the Kickstarter page:
Road Redemption brings state-of-the-industry combat controls, insane crashes, destructible environments, AI, ragdoll physics, and online multiplayer to the classic formula.
Road Redemption is the experience that we've been dying to play for over a decade. We need your help to make it the best experience possible.
DarkSeas Games claims that they've been hard at work on the game since early 2012, though preliminary design work began all the way since 2009. Team members also have "a combined 35 years of videogame industry experience."
Past games include God of War Ascension, Epic Mickey, NBA 2K11, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Sorcery. Though alas, none seems to have work on any Road Rash games. Anyhow, some more info:
Road Redemption represents a return to the challenging, skill-based gameplay that defined gaming on the Sega Genesis (MegaDrive), 3DO, and Nintendo 64.
The Road Redemption fighting system involves counters and parries. A stronger weapon is always an advantage, but even a weaker combatant can get the upper hand by forcing his opponent off the road, or into oncoming traffic.
Gun combat is a minor part of the game, as ammo is a scarce resource in the world of Road Redemption. There's no such thing as auto-aim, so when you do make that shot, it's 100% your doing.
The plan calls for version for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The studio claims to be fans of touch devices, but they all feel that such a platform would not work for a game like Road Redemption. Oculus Rift support is also in the cards, as well as potentially the Xbox 360, Wii U, and PS4.
$160,000 is being asked, and with 27 days left to go, they already have $34,730 accounted for. Thus far, it's looking pretty good.
