DETOUR

About

DETOUR is a single player and multiplayer real-time strategy game with a business theme. It was developed by Geoff 'Zag' Keene and was released on May 16, 2011. It received neutral reviews from players.

DETOUR combines the highway building fun from the Sim City series with the addictive excitement of real-time-strategy games like Starcraft and Command & Conquer. The goal of the game is simple: forge a path for your convoy of trucks to reach its destination, but obtaining your goal often requires a mix of smart resource allocation, clever route planning, and strategic thinking. Your AI and human e…

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53%

Audience ScoreBased on 643 reviews

gameplay25 positive mentions

story4 negative mentions

The game features a unique concept that combines logistics and strategy, making it engaging for players who enjoy tactical gameplay.
The minimalist graphics and clean interface contribute to a clear understanding of gameplay mechanics, allowing for quick decision-making.
The soundtrack adds an energetic atmosphere that enhances the overall experience without being distracting.

The controls can feel clunky and unresponsive, especially under pressure, which detracts from the fast-paced nature of the game.
The AI can be unbalanced, often ganging up on the player, making single-player modes frustrating and less enjoyable.
The multiplayer community is sparse, leading to reliance on AI opponents, which can diminish the competitive aspect of the game.

gameplay
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
59%
11%
The gameplay of "Detour" is characterized by its straightforward mechanics focused on constructing roadways and navigating obstacles in a competitive environment, which can be engaging but often feels repetitive and simplistic. While the minimalist design supports the core mechanics, players have noted issues with AI pathfinding, clunky controls, and a lack of depth that can detract from the overall experience. Despite its potential for fun in multiplayer settings, the game struggles with balance and technical glitches, leading to a mixed reception regarding its long-term appeal.
- “The gameplay structure of Detour is what makes it stand apart from other strategy games.”
- “The game's core mechanic revolves around constructing roadways in real time, navigating a dynamic landscape filled with obstacles and adversaries.”
- “The fun in this game truly lies in the simplicity of the gameplay, but the complexity the game can take on when played by two skilled players.”
- “Switching between tools and placing tiles quickly takes practice, and the lack of fluidity sometimes clashes with the fast-paced demands of the gameplay.”
- “I had some issues with the AI's pathfinding and occasional glitches that can disrupt the flow of gameplay.”
- “Detour falls short with its overly simplistic graphics and shallow gameplay that quickly feels repetitive.”
graphics
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
69%
12%
The graphics in the game are generally described as simplistic and lacking polish, often compared to mobile app quality or board game aesthetics. While some players appreciate the clean and bright presentation, others criticize the amateurish artwork and child-like designs, noting that the visuals may not hold attention for long. Overall, the graphics are seen as decent for the price point, but they fall short of modern standards, with many reviewers highlighting a lack of variety and depth in the visual experience.
- “The maps are presented with a clean, almost board game-like aesthetic, using bright color contrasts to distinguish roads, terrain types, and player actions.”
- “From the ultra-realistic graphics to the amazing gameplay, I am amazed by this game.”
- “It's an enjoyable and simple strategy game with quite good and clean looking graphics.”
- “Detour falls short with its overly simplistic graphics and shallow gameplay that quickly feels repetitive.”
- “The artwork was really amateurish.”
- “In-game graphics are simplistic and nothing like the standards today.”
story
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
81%
11%
The story aspect of the game is largely considered weak and unengaging, with many reviewers noting that the single-player missions serve primarily as a tutorial for the multiplayer experience. Players find the narrative bland and lacking depth, often describing it as irrelevant or poorly executed, with minimal character development and a focus on gameplay mechanics over storytelling. Overall, the game fails to captivate players with its story, which is overshadowed by its competitive multiplayer focus.
- “Every match becomes a story of clever maneuvers and near-misses, of rival builders outsmarting each other across grids of asphalt and dust.”
- “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “Great storyline”
- “As an indie game, the gameplay graphics and background music may appear simple, and the simple gameplay with lack of variety and storyline in the single-player campaign may not hold anyone's attention for long.”
- “There are a few unique personalities to deal with, but otherwise there's not really much of a story there.”
- “The story isn’t much; you are just Mr. Creasey's new recruit.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
60%
15%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the energetic soundtrack that enhances the gameplay atmosphere, while others find it uninteresting or mismatched to the game's mood. Despite a few positive mentions of the soundtrack's contribution to tension and intensity, many users express frustration with its repetitiveness and lack of variety, often resorting to muting it during play. Overall, the music is seen as a polarizing aspect, with ratings ranging from enjoyable to annoying.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects contribute just enough atmosphere to keep the tension alive without distracting from the focus on tactics.”
- “The soundtrack complements the action, providing an energetic backdrop that enhances the game's intensity.”
- “But, with the great music, outstanding writing, chaotic gameplay and extremely cheap price tag, this game definitely feels like it’s worth trying.”
- “The soundtrack is really uninteresting and annoying when playing, and you will find yourself muting it to preserve your sanity.”
- “The music is awful.”
- “On top of that, the music usually doesn't fit the mood.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
90%
30%
The humor in the game is polarizing, with some players finding it enjoyable and funny, especially in multiplayer settings, while others describe it as cringe-worthy and unbalanced. While there are moments of humor and amusing characters, many reviewers feel that the comedic elements do not translate well to single-player experiences, leading to mixed reactions overall.
- “I can see it being some fun with friends, where the idea of being crazy and constantly sabotaging could be fun - but it's hilariously unbalanced, and absolutely no fun alone.”
- “Its fast, enjoyable and funny (at least I found it funny).”
- “Simple and fun with some funny characters and moments, I did enjoy this game!”
- “In conclusion, this game is not funny and makes you nervous.”
- “The humor falls flat and often feels forced, leaving me more confused than amused.”
- “I expected a lot of laughs, but instead, I found myself cringing at the attempts at humor.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while multiplayer modes enhance replay value by allowing competitive play, some users feel that the lack of additional content, such as custom maps or AI options, limits the game's long-term appeal. A few reviews indicate a significant deficiency in replay value, comparing it unfavorably to other titles.
- “Replayability is there.”
- “The inclusion of multiplayer modes adds replayability, allowing players to test their skills against others.”
- “Custom maps with AI should be added in order to enhance replay value for people who are unable to play online.”
- “There is nothing to come back for, and I would say it is severely lacking in replay value.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been criticized for frequent crashes, glitches, and issues with AI pathfinding, which disrupt gameplay. While some users note that it isn't "horribly buggy," the overall experience is marred by these technical problems, leading to a frustrating experience for many players.
- “I had some issues with the AI's pathfinding and occasional glitches that can disrupt the flow of gameplay.”
- “I had a ton of bugs and glitches and the game crashed a lot for me.”
- “Buggy as f***, won't place down road, audio cuts off.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some users report impressive performance with over 1000fps due to a solid engine, others experience significant lag that hampers gameplay, especially given its 2011 release date. This inconsistency leads to frustration, particularly in competitive scenarios where smooth performance is crucial. Overall, the optimization appears to be inadequate for a seamless gaming experience.
- “I can get 1000fps+ due to the great engine and optimization.”
- “Performance is also another good thing about this game.”
- “It reminded me of trying online games where all other players had a lot of experience and did optimized micromanagement while I was just checking the gameplay.”
- “The optimization in this game feels lacking, making it difficult to compete with others who have mastered the mechanics.”
- “I found the game's optimization to be frustrating, as it often led to performance issues that hindered my overall experience.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often describing it as boring rather than enjoyable. Many express dissatisfaction with the time-consuming nature of tasks, particularly in relation to achievements and card farming.
- “It felt incredibly tedious and frustrating.”
- “It seems much more tedious and boring than fun.”
- “Achievements: now we come to my biggest complaint about this game... the achievements are painfully tedious.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The atmosphere is characterized by a well-crafted soundtrack and sound effects that enhance tension while maintaining focus on gameplay, although some users feel that the overall atmosphere is lacking.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects contribute just enough atmosphere to keep the tension alive without distracting from the focus on tactics.”
- “The immersive environment draws you in, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
- “The haunting visuals and ambient sounds create a chilling atmosphere that keeps you on edge throughout the game.”
- “Even the atmosphere feels bad.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, with feelings of oppression and societal pressure juxtaposed against moments of intense personal stakes and moral dilemmas. The narrative evokes deep reflections on conformity and the consequences of choices, leading to poignant moments that resonate with players on a personal level.