[Dual Evaluation] Analyzing Turbo Overkill

Turbo Overkill, crafted by Apogee Entertainment and Trigger Happy Interactive, is a vibrant and fast-paced first-person shooter that’s just landed on consoles, rated M for Mature. In this piece, we delve into its world, drawing insights from our experiences on both PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.

Imagine stepping into a game that’s all cyberpunk flair and relentless action. That’s Turbo Overkill, Apogee’s most brutal FPS to date, where you embody Johnny Turbo—a human turned lethal weapon. Equipped with arm rockets and a chainsaw that springs from his leg, Johnny’s not your average hero. Returning to his roots in Paradise, Johnny finds the place under the sinister influence of Syn, a rogue AI, and its augmented cronies. Fueled by past regrets and a need for redemption, Johnny embarks on a high-stakes mission to annihilate this mighty AI, while competing with fellow bounty hunters vying for their own piece of glory. Life’s tough in Paradise.

Reflecting back on my days being immersed in classic FPS games, Turbo Overkill on Nintendo’s platform scratches that nostalgia itch while adding its unique spin. Initially introduced to players on Steam in 2023, it’s now available on Nintendo Switch, drawing players into Johnny Turbo’s gritty world. Armed with deadly tools like arm rockets and a unique leg-mounted chainsaw, players will navigate the chaos that Syn, an evil AI, has unleashed. Syn’s viral spread has thrown Paradise into disarray, and it’s up to the players to plow through the chaos, defeating minions and ultimately facing Syn in an epic showdown.

As you’d expect from a high-octane shooter, Turbo Overkill demands agility and precision. Players guide Johnny using the left stick for movement and the right for aiming. Other controls include the D-Pad for perspective shifts, the B button for jumping and double jumps, the R button for dashes, and the X button for the grapple hook. Hold onto your seat as you initiate a chainsaw slide with L, and then unleash ordnance with the ZR and ZL buttons, which are mapped to your primary and secondary fire modes, respectively. Need a breather? Engage Turbo-Time with the click of a stick to slow down the world and ravage through enemies efficiently.

Success in Turbo Overkill lies in vanquishing foes to gather cash for augmentations, weapon enhancements, and skill upgrades. The combat loop is simple yet addictive: defeat bosses, claim their augments, and keep the momentum across two dozen frenetic levels.

Turbo Overkill thrives on its kinetic pace and violent setting, which truly deserves its Mature rating. Whether playing the main Campaign Mode, diving into Arcade Mode, or testing your mettle in Endless Mode, the game offers a robust experience to FPS aficionados. From the get-go, the game is relentless, throwing you right into the action from the opening cutscene and maintaining that pace throughout.

Graphically, Turbo Overkill blends retro aesthetics with modern technology. The design echoes the feel of classics like Doom and Heretic, with its pixelated textures and dynamic field of view. The PlayStation 5’s 60 FPS rendering makes for an exhilarating, fluid experience, though the perspective might seem unconventional at first.

Intriguingly, the game supports diverse difficulty levels, catering to varying player skills. From Virgin Blood, which offers a somewhat forgiving setting, up to the hair-raising Murder Machine mode, players can find a challenge that fits their comfort zone. The game incorporates a Platinum trophy on PlayStation platforms, encouraging players to engage fully with its content, from defeating all foes to mastering the endless mode.

Despite the technical constraints on Nintendo Switch—such as slightly reduced resolution and longer load times compared to its PlayStation 5 counterpart—Turbo Overkill remains a compelling purchase, especially given the cross-buy benefits on Sony consoles.

In wrapping up this review, Turbo Overkill stands out as an intense, pulse-pounding homage to 90s shooter classics, offering gripping action and a nostalgia-infused journey that players won’t easily forget. Whether you’re in it for the chaotic thrill or the meticulous completionist journey, Turbo Overkill fires on all cylinders.