"Desired Successor Akin to 'Simpsons: Hit & Run': 'Deliver At All Costs'"
Deliver At All Costs is set to be overshadowed by its gaming neighbors this year, with the launches of Doom: The Dark Ages and Elden Ring: Nightreign on either side. But, don't fret, this offbeat title from Far Out Games is more than just a quick weekend fling.
Put on your work shoes and slip into the role of Winston Green, a courier at a quirky, Amazon-adjacent shipping company called We Deliver. As you navigate through unconventional cargo deliveries, leave the game's eccentric open world in various states of disarray (and sometimes, literal shambles), peel back layered secrets, and uncover a sinister corporate conspiracy.
The game brings back memories of classic hits like The Simpsons: Hit & Run and early Grand Theft Auto, and we mean that as a massive compliment. The overall wackiness and dynamism will take you on a trip down memory lane,this time with a sleeker, more modern coat of paint and a more polished physics system.
Over the course of 20 missions, you'll encounter a cast of oddball characters who需要 your help to complete some truly wild tasks. Each one offers a unique mechanic that dramatically transforms your approach to each delivery. Whether it's transporting floating balloons that send you skyward uncontrollably or battling to keep a thrashing marlin steady in your trunk, these tasks will keep you thoroughly entertained.
Regrettably, a few of these errands fall flat, either being too easy or presenting a sharp difficulty spike. But the highs of this collection of missions outshine the lows in a race for your weekend playtime.
The ludicrous physics system is another attractive aspect that enhances the fun. With a detailed, fully destructible open world, buildings can be razed to the ground, sending debris flying – sometimes even civilians, but don't worry, they always get back up. The destruction serves mostly as a way to add some excitement, but you can complete the game without intentionally causing any damage.
There are consequences if you decimate the environment too much – the police will pursue you. However, it's too easy to lose them, making the pursuits feel more like a chore than an exhilarating chase.
Each area brims with collectibles, secret vehicles, side missions, and challenges to mix up the pace. Unfortunately, many of these extras fail to live up to expectations, except for the vista points, which invite you to step out of your vehicle and admire the intricate environments. On-foot sections are the exception, feeling stiff and cumbersome.
We can't forget to mention the well-realized 1950s aesthetic, which wraps you up in a world of period clothing, cars, and music. Some parts even reminded me of Destroy All Humans, though I find this game to be more enjoyable.
The plot is Deliver At All Costs' biggest letdown. The narrative veers wildly from lighthearted workplace comedy to a jumbled mess of genre hopping and jarring tone switches. This inconsistency leaves players feeling unsatisfied at the game's conclusion.
Clearly, Far Out Games has demonstrated the technical skills to create a fun, unique game. Hopefully, they'll take these lessons and create a compelling narrative, as well as engaging additional content, for their next project.
Deliver At All Costs is now available on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Epic Games, and GOG.
In the game's cast of characters, some tasks are too easy or present a steep difficulty spike that may disappoint players.The ludicrous physics system, which allows buildings to be destroyed and debris to fly, adds an exciting element to the gameplay.Players can collect various items, complete side missions, and explore challenges in each area to break up the game's pace.Despite the game's charming 1950s aesthetic and using a more polished physics system, the narrative's inconsistency leaves players dissatisfied at the game's conclusion.
