Death Road to Canada
- July 21, 2016
- Madgarden
- 25h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Apple Store"Death Road to Canada" is a randomly generated road trip simulator where you manage a car full of characters on a zombie-filled journey to Canada. The game features up to 500 zombies on screen at once, a character creator, and various special events, weapons, and characters. Every playthrough offers unique locations, events, and decisions in a lighthearted apocalypse setting.
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Reviews
- Endlessly replayable with a variety of characters, events, and game modes.
- Hilarious writing and quirky humor that keeps the gameplay entertaining.
- Fun character customization allows players to create friends and family as characters in the game.
- Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating and unfair outcomes.
- Local co-op only, lacking online multiplayer options.
- Controls can be clunky and unintuitive, especially for keyboard users.
- humor791 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Death Road to Canada" is a standout feature, blending quirky, absurd, and often dark comedic elements with the game's rogue-like mechanics. Players appreciate the lighthearted dialogue, random events, and the ability to create custom characters that lead to hilarious and unpredictable scenarios, making each playthrough unique and entertaining. While the humor may not resonate with everyone, it adds a delightful charm that enhances the overall experience, especially in co-op play.
“What I loved most was the balance between lighthearted humor and moments of genuine tension.”
“The game doesn't take itself seriously, with its funny dialogue and random situations, but the siege events are seriously no joke.”
“The humor, charm, and sheer variety of possibilities is what saves this game and keeps me coming back.”
“Not funny, just annoying.”
“Yes, I know it's supposed to be funny, but the game is harder than Dark Souls.”
- gameplay601 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Death Road to Canada" is a blend of roguelike mechanics and arcade-style action, featuring a mix of scavenging, resource management, and humorous decision-making in a zombie apocalypse setting. Players navigate through randomly generated events and combat scenarios, with character customization and skill management adding depth to each run. While the gameplay is engaging and offers high replayability, some players note that it can become repetitive and heavily reliant on RNG, which may detract from the overall experience.
“It's really hard to actually make it to Canada until you get used to the game's mechanics, but with every run you learn a little more and figure out the best ways to move forward.”
“Fun blend of roguelite elements and adventure game feeling with arcade-style beat-em-up gameplay.”
“The gameplay is engaging, with each run offering a different experience thanks to its randomly generated levels and character customization options.”
“It's funny looking back at a game like Organ Trail, a zombie-inspired indie based on the educational game series of Oregon Trail, seeing how eye-opening of an experience it was as far as being amongst my first ever roguelites played from years ago on the PlayStation 4, yet I simply lack the urge to go back to it on account of how little variety there is to the gameplay alongside the humor not having that same 'zing' to it and the graphics simply being too barebones for long-term gameplay.”
“The only big flaw is that the gameplay loop gets old pretty fast, especially once you know what you're doing, but there's enough achievements and unlocks to make you keep coming back over the years.”
“The gameplay can appear boring at times but this would work better on the Nintendo Switch, which is also coming soon.”
- music437 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and upbeat chiptune soundtrack, which complements the retro aesthetic and enhances the overall gameplay experience. Many players find the soundtrack memorable and enjoyable, often describing it as a standout feature that adds to the game's charm and humor. However, some critiques mention that the music can become repetitive over time, and a few players feel it doesn't always match the game's darker themes.
“The soundtrack is composed of catchy chiptune music that perfectly matches the game's retro aesthetic.”
“The music is fantastic and I can never get enough of the unfittingly calm or cheerful music while destroying zombies.”
“The music is great, not once in my 30 hours did I ever get bored of it.”
“Don't think I've ever experienced a game that had the soundtrack ruin it so viscerally for me.”
“From the zombies to the film grain to the Oregon/Organ Trail style presentation of the journey to Canada, the music actively ruins any and all immersion I could get and makes the whole thing feel like a joke game.”
“Awesome game in many aspects but the soundtrack, it's out of place, it's bad, it's not even generic for a zombie game or anything, it's like playing Mario with a heavy metal soundtrack, or Mortal Kombat with a polka soundtrack.”
- replayability371 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
"Death Road to Canada" is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with players highlighting the game's random events, character customization, and various game modes that ensure no two playthroughs are alike. The combination of humor, engaging gameplay, and a plethora of unlockable traits contributes to an experience that feels fresh and entertaining, making it a standout title for fans of roguelikes and action RPGs. Overall, the game offers an almost infinite replay value, keeping players coming back for more.
“Incredible replayability; nearly effortless to pick up and play again whenever.”
“Overall, *Death Road to Canada* is a unique and endlessly replayable experience.”
“With random events, different game modes, and character customization, this game has near endless replayability.”
“It doesn't help that a lot of the replayability comes from the additional game modes where the majority of the changes are just 'more unfair and tedious' and a lot of co-op stuff even though the game doesn't even have online multiplayer.”
“Even though it has variety, it still loses replay value after a while.”
“The developers claim it was designed with replay value in mind, but it seems to me it was designed to force replay by rigging RNG against the player.”
- graphics222 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Death Road to Canada" are characterized by a charming retro pixel art style that effectively complements the game's quirky humor and chaotic atmosphere. While some players appreciate the nostalgic 8-bit aesthetics, others find the visuals too simplistic for long-term engagement. Overall, the graphics are seen as functional and fitting for the game's comedic and survival themes, though they may not appeal to everyone.
“The game features a charming retro pixel art style that is both nostalgic and functional.”
“Despite the simple graphics, the game manages to create a rich atmosphere that complements its unique blend of horror and comedy.”
“The graphics are beautifully retro, the music is s-tier, and the gameplay is simple, yet refined enough to keep you coming back for more.”
“Purchased a year ago but couldn't play due to game-breaking graphical glitches.”
“Tried again recently in the hopes the game had been patched but the graphical glitches are still present.”
“It's a painfully cliched game made by a stereotypical development team throwing retro pixel graphics, chiptune music, and pop culture references at a game that isn't that fun to play.”
- story168 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story in "Death Road to Canada" is characterized by its emergent and humorous narrative, driven by player choices and random events that create unique experiences with each playthrough. Set against a backdrop of a zombie apocalypse, players navigate a quirky journey to Canada, encountering absurd scenarios and characters that enhance the game's replayability and comedic tone. While the overarching plot is simple, the dynamic storytelling and engaging dialogue make each run feel fresh and entertaining.
“The stories it tailors are hilarious, and you will never feel any two parts of the story are slapped together for the sake of it - the flow is so smooth every scenario feels like it was pre-made.”
“Each run in Death Road to Canada is a new opportunity to experience a bizarre, mad-libs-esque story that defies imagination.”
“The game truly feels like your own zombie apocalypse story, especially with the personality-dependent dialogue and behavior of each character.”
“The story is that it’s the zombie-apocalypse and there’s rumors that in Canada there’s no zombies so you plan to get to Canada in a car and … that’s it.”
“Most runs end up as wipes through no fault of the player, but rather because the game throws a bunch of ridiculously harsh RNG events at you, or fails to provide enough supplies in the looting missions (most notably gas.. and once the group is on foot, the RNG gets even worse).”
“This isn't intended to be a game where you become attached to your characters or experience a well-written story.”
- grinding37 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game can be quite tedious and repetitive, often requiring significant time investment to unlock achievements and character traits. While some players appreciate the humor and replayability, many find the gameplay mechanics, such as navigation and combat, to be cumbersome and lacking in variety, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the grinding is seen as a double-edged sword: it can enhance the experience for those who enjoy it, but may deter players seeking a more streamlined and engaging gameplay experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Rogue-lite elements always have and always will be bullsh*t though, and these are quite grindy.”
“It feels like there's a pretty good wealth of content here but accessing it and engaging with it feels nearly impossibly tedious.”
“The game is fun for 30 minutes (your first game), then every new game is nearly identical: you go through tedious text-only random events, then run around in an uninteresting action phase that consists of pressing a button to shoot and another button to loot, no skill required for these action phases, there are no special combos, no spells/skills to unlock, no equipment to equip except weapons... overall the game is empty and shallow.”
- atmosphere27 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, blending gritty pixelated visuals with a unique mix of horror and comedy, creating a chaotic yet engaging experience. Players appreciate the well-crafted sound effects and music that enhance the tension and mood, ranging from fun and upbeat to dark and despairing, depending on the context. Overall, the atmosphere is described as rich and immersive, effectively complementing the gameplay and thematic elements of the zombie apocalypse.
“Despite the simple graphics, the game manages to create a rich atmosphere that complements its unique blend of horror and comedy.”
“The sound effects are well-done, adding to the tension during combat and the eerie atmosphere of the apocalyptic world.”
“The music is wonderful and creates the perfect atmosphere in every scenario, and as this game still gets very frequent updates, they're always adding more.”
“Dont get me wrong here, both are great games but I already reviewed Organ Trail and said in my review there that this game changes the mood from happy into something 'depressive' because the theme and atmosphere of this game is like 'the world is in ruin, zombies are everywhere and you have to survive as good as you can.'”
“The sounds are great although the music is a little too upbeat to ever give the game a truly grim or scary atmosphere.”
“But this game, with its goofy atmosphere, upbeat music, and charming art style, is breathing new life into this undead genre.”
- stability25 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting numerous graphical glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in remote play and multiplayer modes. While some users have experienced minimal issues and praise the game's performance on older hardware, others express frustration over persistent freezing and inventory problems. Overall, the game is seen as fun but hampered by significant stability issues that detract from the experience.
“This game does what it says on the tin, essentially giving an Oregon Trail-like experience that is lighthearted and bug-free.”
“Big plus - runs great on my 2015 MacBook!”
“Purchased a year ago but couldn't play due to game-breaking graphical glitches.”
“Tried again recently in the hopes the game had been patched but the graphical glitches are still present.”
“And some just make me lose faith in the game, like how the game just freezes and I have to force reset my computer.”
- emotional18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a deeply emotional experience, often forming strong attachments to characters, which leads to genuine grief when they are lost or left behind. The game's narrative and soundtrack evoke a range of feelings, from laughter to tears, highlighting the weight of decisions made in high-stakes situations. Moments of heartbreak, particularly involving beloved characters, resonate strongly, making the gameplay feel impactful and personal.
“Losing someone to a horde of zombies feels personal, adding an emotional weight to each decision you make.”
“When it comes to familiar character mode, it almost makes you so emotional when you see your family member or friends get eaten and you have no choice but to leave them behind.”
“There have been heartbreaking moments where you found that one special character, only to have them get eaten a day or two before making it to Canada.”
- optimization9 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance on various platforms, including older hardware. However, players have noted the need for improved gameplay optimization, particularly regarding weapon information and online co-op functionality. The mobile version, in contrast, suffers from significant performance issues and lacks certain features, making it less favorable compared to the PC and Mac versions.
“The game runs smoothly, with a story that is ever changing and surprising - fully depending on your characters, their skills, their flaws and your resources.”
“Performance is excellent on integrated graphics.”
“Graphics are cutesy, performance is flawless on my horrifyingly bad laptop.”
“The game could use more gameplay optimization and show more information on the weapons you get and their damage stats in-game, as well as more options to deal with the bandits.”
“This issue is worse for the mobile version of the game. The collision is messy, and performance becomes unplayably choppy when you get to Canada. Additionally, they don't seem to have special holiday NPCs in that version, and it's only $5 less (so it's $10) but far worse.”
- character development7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game excels in character development through its unique and customizable character designs, allowing players to create and recruit a diverse cast, including humorous pop culture references. The blend of unlockable traits, perks, and procedural elements enhances replayability, while the strategic decision-making adds depth to the gameplay experience. Overall, the combination of quirky humor and intricate character systems keeps players engaged and returning for more.
“You will die a lot in the beginning and there is a steep learning curve, but the unique character designs, unlockable traits and perks (to build your own characters), special locations, and different challenges posed by each run kept me coming back for more.”
“Some of the best are pop-culture based (you can recruit an expy of Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy 7 complete with gigantic buster sword, or even Mega Man...er Giga Guy himself, with an endless blaster) and the character design function is top notch, resulting in an endless supply of possible random fellow travelers on the road to Canada, as well as the ability to create yourself the people you will come across, and the huge range of adjustable features allows you to make some amazing caricatures of famous people or your own friends and family to share the death road with you.”
“Very satisfying procedural elements, out of place music and intricate character development systems.”
“The gameplay mechanics are simple, but there's strategy not only on an active surface level but also at a deeper character development/inventory control level that keeps you continually engaged.”
“This game really shines in its character design, decision making, and quirky humor.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players frustrated by forced ads that interrupt gameplay, while others appreciate the absence of microtransactions and in-game purchases. Many users commend the game for its free updates and lack of cash-grab mechanics, highlighting its enjoyable content and rewarding experience without additional costs. Overall, the game seems to prioritize player experience over aggressive monetization strategies.
“Runs on even my potato flawlessly, has no microtransactions, multiple characters, skills, perks, modes, cars, and custom characters (do I really have to say more? Find the rest in-game!).”
“There are no in-game purchases, all the updates have been free, open betas, and there's going to be a huge update coming soon.”
“Forced ads you have to click through to play the game?”
“Could you potentially scale back the advertising budget for my area and perhaps pay the workers better wages so they actually give a care to make the food I’m ordering right?”
“The combat isn't revolutionary but it feels good and there is more than one way to come at the zombies and it allows you the player some flexibility in your choice, something rare for an indie zombie game which typically are just cash grabs.”
