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| Deliver At All Costs Review |
Deliver At All Costs Review
We’ve finally gotten our hands on Deliver At All Costs, a refreshingly unique adventure developed by Swedish studio Far Out Games and published by Konami.
At first glance, the game might seem like a wild blend of Crazy Taxi, Teardown, and a sprinkle of GTA-style mayhem. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find it cleverly hides a surprisingly deep narrative and biting social satire beneath its surface-level chaos.
A Post-War America Parody Packed With Absurdity
Set in a wildly exaggerated and satirical version of post-World War America, players step into the shoes of Winston Green a perpetually unlucky, nearly broke delivery driver. Very quickly, Winston becomes entangled in an unexpected conspiracy, requiring him to complete bizarre delivery tasks that defy all logic and normalcy.
A Gameplay Experience Spiced With Creative Chaos
Deliver At All Costs is an open-world driving game built around completing delivery missions but it gleefully breaks all the conventions of the genre. Your objective is simple: pick up your cargo and deliver it. What sets the game apart is the absurdity of those deliveries: from giant live fish to ticking time bombs, almost anything that fits in Winston’s little truck is fair game.
The world around you is fully destructible, often to hilarious effect. Even the slightest bump can bring buildings tumbling down. In fact, the game encourages maximum destruction, injecting a unique brand of fun. Adding to the absurdity are the unbothered, overly polite reactions of the citizens remaining calm even when being launched sky-high which feels reminiscent of Benny Hill-style comedy.
Despite the chaos, vehicle controls are tight and responsive. This balance between precise handling and wacky physics makes driving both enjoyable and challenging. The more bizarre or heavier the cargo (like bouncing watermelons), the more fun and creatively demanding your routes become.
Visuals That Feel Like a Postcard From the '50s
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| From the '50s |
One of the game’s biggest strengths is its atmosphere. The visuals strike a charming balance between realistic detail and a stylized, cartoon-like aesthetic. With its colorful filter and mid-century vibe, the game transports players into a vibrant version of the 1950s complete with brightly painted homes, iconic vintage cars, and whimsical character animations.
The art style is complemented beautifully by a clever soundtrack that mixes surf rock with retro commercial jingles. It creates a hilarious contrast as if you’re watching a cheerful shampoo ad while the world crumbles around you.
While not aiming for photorealism, the game pays impressive attention to detail, from radio ads and character dialogues to car interiors and ambient sound effects.
A Surprisingly Compelling Story
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| Surprisingly Compelling Story |
Contrary to expectations for a chaos-driven game, Deliver At All Costs offers a genuinely intriguing narrative. Split into three chapters, each set in a different region with unique challenges and characters, the story gradually unravels a mystery surrounding Winston and the shady company he works for.
The plot takes on a noir tone, complete with conspiracies involving governments, corporations, and secret experiments. Though it’s laced with dark humor such as ironic moments where family values are discussed before immediately running over a family it keeps the player engaged. The story starts simply but gains layers, proving that the game’s madness serves a purpose. While it doesn’t rival The Last of Us in emotional depth, it’s far more than just a backdrop for chaotic gameplay.
Weak Spots That Slightly Dampen the Experience
Like any game, Deliver At All Costs isn’t without flaws. Some players may find the delivery missions repetitive over time. The core gameplay loop is relatively simple, which can lead to filler content that feels disconnected from the story.
That said, the game allows for creative approaches like attempting a perfect, destruction-free delivery which can add an extra layer of difficulty and satisfaction.
On the cinematic front, presentation can be inconsistent. Some scenes are delivered as still-image comic panels with voice-overs, while others attempt animated cutscenes that feel dated akin to early PlayStation 2 titles which can break immersion.
There’s also occasional tonal dissonance. The contrast between the serious narrative themes and slapstick gameplay might confuse players at times. Discussing social values right after mowing down a virtual family, for instance, serves the game’s satire, but can still feel jarring.
Is Deliver At All Costs Worth Playing?
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| Is Deliver At All Costs Worth Playing |
Deliver At All Costs proudly embraces its own madness. It doesn’t try to be serious or overly dramatic like Doom or other action titles. Instead, it invites players to revel in its joyous chaos.
With eccentric characters, unexpected twists, and ridiculous scenarios, the game is a delightful ride for anyone who enjoys wild driving mechanics, spontaneous mayhem, and narrative quirks. If you’re a fan of classic GTA-style antics and want something a little different, this one is definitely worth your time.
Final Verdict:
Chaos, Fun, and Sharp Satire 8/10
If you’re looking for an action-packed open-world game that doesn’t take itself too seriously and is bursting with humor and destruction, Deliver At All Costs delivers exactly that and more.