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Death Rally (Classic)

Death Rally (Classic) Game Cover
92%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
story, grinding
92% User Score Based on 472 reviews

Platforms

PCMac OSWindows
Death Rally (Classic) Game Cover

About

Death Rally (Classic) is a single player racing game. It was developed by Remedy and was released on May 5, 2014. It received very positive reviews from players.

Death Rally is a destructive racing game where players compete to be the first to cross the finish line while causing chaos on the track. With various weapons and power-ups to collect, players can eliminate competitors and upgrade their vehicles for the ultimate showdown against The Adversary. The game supports multiplayer for up to 4 players, allowing for both online and local play. Prepare for intense races and ruthless competition in this adrenaline-pumping experience.

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92%
Audience ScoreBased on 472 reviews
graphics15 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions

  • A nostalgic classic that still provides addictive gameplay and fun, even decades later.
  • The game features a rewarding progression system with car upgrades and various weapons, enhancing the racing experience.
  • It's completely free, making it accessible for anyone looking to relive the excitement of old-school racing games.
  • The game can feel repetitive and grindy, especially after a few hours of play.
  • Controls can be difficult to master, leading to frustration during races, particularly against AI opponents.
  • Graphics and overall presentation are dated, which may deter new players unfamiliar with retro gaming.
  • graphics
    46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, reflecting a gritty, 90s aesthetic that may not appeal to modern players. While some reviewers appreciate the nostalgic charm and colorful design, many note that the visuals are basic and blocky by today's standards, with a desire for potential updates or remakes to enhance the graphical experience. Despite these criticisms, the gameplay remains engaging and enjoyable, often overshadowing the limitations of the graphics.

    • “The game has some great looking environments and the graphics are well designed and laid out.”
    • “The races take place in grimy industrial zones, deserts, and urban sprawls—all drenched in a gritty, 90s aesthetic.”
    • “It is a fun little racing game that boasts colorful graphics, a fun soundtrack, an easy to pick-up control scheme, and a very intuitive learning curve.”
    • “Unfortunately, with such poor graphics, it is very difficult to play even on a 15-inch screen.”
    • “Arcade type of game which gets your adrenaline pumping, regardless of outdated graphics straight from the 90s.”
    • “The in-race graphics might be a bit too grainy for today's audience, but if you've loved it as a kid, you'll be loving it again.”
  • gameplay
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is widely praised for its simplicity, addictiveness, and fast-paced action, evoking a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic gaming. Players appreciate the straightforward mechanics, enjoyable progression systems, and the integration of weapons, which enhance the overall experience. While some suggest improvements for beginner accessibility, the consensus is that the engaging gameplay compensates for any graphical shortcomings, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “You're transported back to a simpler era of gaming with the pixelated graphics and straightforward gameplay.”
    • “The fast-paced gameplay and races with various weapons really draw you in.”
    • “The gameplay really shines here, with a great sensation of speed and the need to destroy your opponents; it just always feels intense every race.”
    • “Also, I think some of the game mechanics could be better explained or taught; it could be more user-friendly for beginners.”
    • “Edit: it looks like 3D Realms flip-flopped and made this free... this doesn't fix any of the gameplay issues, however, I still can't recommend this.”
    • “If you like the classic, don't ever bother trying the new version; the gameplay is completely different.”
  • music
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised, with many users highlighting its quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience. While the soundtrack is described as "awesome" and "sticky," some players noted a lack of variety during extended play sessions, leading to occasional repetitiveness. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, with many players still enjoying it long after their initial experience with the game.

    • “The soundtrack is just awesome, gameplay is really fun.”
    • “The music carries it all.”
    • “Great soundtrack and sounds in general with fast-paced short and sweet gameplay.”
    • “However, there could have been a bit more variety at times, especially during long playtimes when repetitive music can get annoying.”
    • “I don't know why but they do (sneakily) download 'Alien Carnage: Halloween Harry' soundtracks that are like, 800 MB while the actual game is 45 MB.”
    • “They don't even use these soundtracks.”
  • story
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of the game is largely considered minimal and simplistic, focusing primarily on the player's journey to become the top racer through various means, including racing and completing side missions. While some players appreciate the quirky elements and the corporate backdrop, many agree that the narrative is repetitive and lacks depth, with the gameplay being the main draw rather than the story itself. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a secondary feature, with players enjoying the gameplay more than the narrative.

    • “It's also great to see Sam Lake's passion for storytelling in a very primitive form.”
    • “The gameplay is very comprehensive and the story is invigorating.”
    • “Death Rally is still fun to play, and I enjoy it for its simple step-in-and-give-it-a-go style; but I also appreciate its weird corporate world story it's telling along the way.”
    • “The story is basically non-existent, but honestly, it doesn’t matter.”
    • “The story is you pretty much some driver trying to get to top and beat the number 1 racer.”
    • “You start with around $500 and a really bad car, and you must work your way up the ranks to become the best...yeah, no story.”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while progression is generally rewarding and upgrades impactful, some users note that it can become repetitive and grindy, particularly when cash is needed for upgrades. However, understanding the game mechanics can alleviate some of the grind, and many appreciate the replayability and enjoyment of working their way up from the start.

    • “Great top down action-racer with good progression, but with some repetition and grinding.”
    • “Now the downsides are that it can be grindy since you need cash to upgrade and get better in the races.”
    • “Can get grindy but once you understand the system better it gets easier.”
  • stability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users report a mixed but generally positive experience regarding stability. While some mention initial bugs, the game runs smoothly on Linux with Proton, and players can effectively compete in races even with un-upgraded vehicles. Additionally, the performance of higher-speed cars can be significantly influenced by tire choices, adding a layer of strategy to gameplay.

    • “Also runs great on Linux using Proton.”
    • “It's simple, start with a buggy, crawl up the rankings while upgrading your car and form blood debts with enemies who use mines - because that's not cool and they will pay for that decision.”
    • “Sometimes the 3k race doesn't have any of the dark riders or the 'shrieker' car type (if you wait out the people who join), so sometimes you can win 3k races even with a buggy.”
    • “Tires don't matter for the buggy, but for higher speed cars they can make or break your driving.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive quality, with music and sound effects enhancing the racing experience. Reviewers note that the cohesive blend of atmosphere, voice acting, and artistic style creates a unique and memorable environment that stands out in gaming.

    • “The music and sound effects complement the racing atmosphere nicely.”
    • “It is so good and creates such an atmosphere that I still haven't seen since I first played this game.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, voice acting, and style all fit together very well.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, voice acting, style, it all fits very well together.”
    • “Seriously, the atmosphere of this game makes it pop.”
  • humor
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is characterized by a blend of cheesy and dark elements, with funny writing and playful mechanics such as honking cars, hitting pedestrians, and using various upgrades. Despite its age, it remains enjoyable and challenging, effectively combining simplicity with humor that resonates well with players.

    • “The writing is funny, the cars honk, you can hit people, shoot the others, put down mines, ram them, buy upgrades to your car, etc... in 1994!”
    • “It's both cheesy and humorous in the right measure.”
    • “It combines simplicity with dark humor and enjoyable gameplay.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers high replayability for those who enjoy grinding and progressing from the beginning, with some users rating it a perfect 10/10. However, others feel that overall replay value is limited, suggesting a mixed experience in this aspect.

    • “Replayability - 10/10 (grinding from the start and working your way to the top is so much fun)”
    • “Multiplayer and replay value are fantastic!”
    • “Is there replayability? Absolutely!”
    • “Not too much in terms of replay value.”
    • “Is there replayability?”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a nostalgic emotional connection to the game, recalling feelings of childhood joy despite frustrations with gameplay mechanics like collision physics and slowdowns. While the necessity for upgrades may deter some, many find the experience rewarding and engaging, reinforcing a sense of investment rather than waste.

    • “Playing this made me feel like I was 7 years old again.”
    • “You cannot win without new cars and upgrades, and while that can be a turn-off to some, it never made me feel like I was wasting my time.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization aspect highlights that taking longer routes in the game can lead to a greater points gap due to rival progress, necessitating more consistent performance from players to keep up.

    • “Taking the longer route allows for strategic optimization, as it forces you to maintain consistent performances to keep up with your rivals.”
    • “The optimization of routes in the game adds a layer of strategy, making every decision impactful on your overall performance.”
    • “Effective optimization is key to staying competitive, as it requires balancing risk and reward in your gameplay choices.”
    • “But if you take this longer route, your rivals progress as well, creating a larger points gap, ultimately requiring you to have more consistent performances.”
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3h Median play time
35h Average play time
3-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Death Rally (Classic) is a racing game.

Death Rally (Classic) is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 35 hours playing Death Rally (Classic).

Death Rally (Classic) was released on May 5, 2014.

Death Rally (Classic) was developed by Remedy.

Death Rally (Classic) has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its story.

Death Rally (Classic) is a single player game.

Similar games include Gas Guzzlers Extreme, Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse, Road Redemption, Street Racing Syndicate, Alien Shooter and others.