Death Rally
In 1996, a top-down, isometric, vehicular combat racing game called Death Rally was released for Microsoft to much acclaim and fanfare. Common to most video games of this genre, the plot was straight-forward and simple: race, destroy, win, survive, upgrade, and become the top dog in the racing world. In Death Rally, you play as a newcomer and runt of the litter stacked with a small amount of cash and a somewhat pitiful excuse for a vehicle called the Vagabond (which is based off of a VW Beetle). However, with superior driving skills and capital accrued from prize money, players can acquire new weapons and new vehicles to ascend the ranks until you can face the king of all racers, the Adversary, and defeat him in a one-on-one race. Notwithstanding, the simple plot doesn’t necessarily matter – this game is full of addicting, mindless action and fun in either its race mode or deathmatch mode.
A wonderful array of weapons and tools became available to the player on the road to victory including chain guns, shotguns, landmines, rocket launchers, and rocket fuel power-ups. The game also features a robust RPG-like car customization system where you can bolster a car’s defenses, handling, or speed.
In the years hence, Death Rally has undergone a number of improvements and revamps with a 2009 freeware re-release, a full 2011 remake for iOS, and an iOS port to the PC in the following year. The Death Rally remake was also met with positive reviews. Its updated graphics make the game a beautiful sight and gameplay continues to be fast-paced and frenetic. In true Mad Max fashion, destroying and damaging enemy vehicles in race and deathmatches allows you to “scavenge” and upgrade your car’s kit for deadlier firepower, precision, and handling. The remake also allows for novel approaches to multiplayer modes such as the addition of a “game channel” function that creates an exclusive private space for you and your friends to interact and play in.
The games are also full of hidden surprises. In both versions, the game allows for a unique mechanic in which you are able to bribe mechanics to sabotage other cars before a race. Doing so will later inflict a random amount of damage to enemy vehicles giving you an early edge – although, you are not able to sabotage the Adversary.
In the original, Duke Nukem is a potential opponent you can race against. Furthermore, in the iOS remake, a special Duke Nukem Forever patch update added a new gameplay mode called “Duke Match,” as well as a new specially skinned Monster Truck.
Exclusively for the iOS and PC remake versions, new characters such as Barry Wheeler from Alan Wake, John Gore from Minigore, and Mighty Eagle from Angry Birds all make an appearance as potential opponents. Talk about the ultimate disgrace being defeated in a demolition derby by an Angry Bird, am I right?
