NIGHT-RUNNERS™ PROLOGUE
- February 23, 2024
- PLANET JEM
- 8h median play time
Get on SteamDESCEND INTO THE UNDERWORLD OF JAPANESE STREET RACING Set in an unknown time between 1990-2009, you will navigate through the corrupt and shady power struggles of local street racing crews, all competing for control of their regions and to top the crew rankings. Extremely detailed customization, including Exterior, Interior, Wheels, Engine, and Handling Dynamic character dialogue; other racers …
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- music1,202 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in this game has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and immersive soundtrack, which perfectly complements the fast-paced racing experience. Players appreciate the dynamic audio feature that increases the music's volume as they accelerate, enhancing the sense of speed and excitement. The soundtrack, featuring a mix of genres like drum and bass and breakcore, evokes nostalgia for classic racing games while introducing fresh tracks that resonate with the game's aesthetic.
“The drum and bass soundtrack pairs perfectly with the game’s fast-paced feel, pulling me right into the action.”
“It’s not just music; it’s the perfect rhythm to keep the adrenaline pumping as you tear through Tokyo’s expressways.”
“The music is such a perfect choice and it just fits so well and the feeling of pure speed that you feel as the music swells with your speed is incredible.”
“The soundtrack is a certified banger through and through, the addition of having to go at insane speeds to be able to enjoy the music as it gets louder is a great surprise, incentivizing the player to drive well with precision and finesse.”
“The music changing how it sounds depending on how fast you're going to the car customization to even the music itself and how it fits with the overall style.”
“The soundtrack reacts to you putting gas on the floor, pedal to the metal and the songs which are tailored gets louder and as you lift your foot off the gas, the soundtrack fades away which I think motivates one to be as fast as possible.”
- graphics873 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic 90s aesthetic, reminiscent of early PlayStation titles, with a VHS-style presentation that evokes a sense of retro charm. While many players appreciate the unique art style and its ability to capture the essence of classic street racing games, some criticize the visibility issues and pixelation that can hinder gameplay. Overall, the visuals are seen as a strong point for those who enjoy the vintage vibe, though they may not appeal to everyone due to their intentionally low-fidelity design.
“The graphics are fantastic, and the filters can definitely set a different ambiance for the game.”
“The visuals, sound, etc. is all fantastic.”
“The graphics of night-runners are a deliberate nod to the aesthetic of the 90s, embracing a retro vibe that sets it apart from other modern games.”
“Most games I can run at minimum graphics at 60fps, this lags pretty bad on minimum graphics, even after reducing resolution. Not to mention that at those settings you can barely see the road, checkpoints, or cars ahead of you. I have no clue why it's this horrible given that the game isn't ginormous like some others and isn't flooded with details.”
“The graphics are nostalgic but also an eyesore. The film grain effect messes with this because even at its lowest setting, it felt like my ability to see was being messed with just for the sake of the aesthetic that this game is going for.”
“The graphics are odd with different resolutions and scales everywhere you look, and driving did not feel good in my opinion.”
- gameplay536 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this racing game has received a mix of praise and criticism, with many players enjoying its nostalgic vibe, engaging mechanics, and extensive car customization options. However, some users noted a steep learning curve, confusing navigation, and issues with AI behavior, suggesting that while the core gameplay is fun and addictive, it requires further refinement and clearer guidance for new players. Overall, the game shows great potential, especially for fans of classic racing titles, but it still needs improvements in certain areas to enhance the overall experience.
“The gameplay is not what you expect from your average Japanese highway racer, however, that and the fact that it's free make it worth your while, as the strongest point of this game is its unique analog look and filters, and its dark story.”
“The gameplay is engaging and the storyline is intriguing, making it easy for players to get hooked.”
“The gameplay is smooth as butter, and the driving mechanics feel well-balanced and responsive.”
“The only complaint I have is that a few of the mechanics were hard to understand the first time (modding, time trials, GPS routes, etc).”
“But has some flaws – too much loading and confirming actions, it disturbs the gameplay.”
“The gameplay feels pretty standard and lacks innovation.”
- atmosphere337 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic qualities, effectively capturing the essence of 90s and early 2000s street racing culture. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals, engaging soundtrack, and attention to detail that evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, making it a standout experience in the racing genre. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its strongest feature, drawing players into a captivating world reminiscent of classic racing titles.
“From the moment you launch the prologue, you're hit with the atmosphere and nostalgia, and it only gets better from there.”
“The atmosphere is incredible, completely immersive and captivating, because it has such a strong sense of character.”
“Perfectly captures the underground racing feeling with a banger soundtrack, amazing atmosphere, visual effects, and spectacular sense of speed.”
“The atmosphere got ruined by making the map too bright and adding unnecessary blue markers that ruin the immersion; it isn't so hard to look at the map to see what you can interact with.”
“The atmosphere and aesthetic is there, but it falls short almost everywhere else.”
“The game has an atmosphere I haven't seen anywhere else, but the actual driving doesn't feel good and neither does the location system work well.”
- story226 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as simple and underdeveloped, with many players expressing a desire for more depth and character engagement. While some appreciate the basic premise of racing to pay off a debt, others find the narrative lacking in detail and emotional connection, suggesting that future updates could enhance the storytelling experience. Overall, the story has potential but currently feels thin and repetitive, leaving players eager for more content and character development in the full release.
“The story is really well put together and the music choice is phenomenal.”
“The storyline, even in this short preview, is intriguing and promises a rich, immersive experience.”
“I love this game, the story side is unexpected and I love the entire wager mechanic, the aesthetic is perfect and nothing feels out of place.”
“The story is very flat, typical of the genre.”
“The gameplay is not what you expect of your average Japanese highway racer; however, that and the fact that it's free make it worth your while, as the strongest point of this game is its unique analog look and filters, and its dark story, so if you like racing games you should give it a go!”
“I do believe the story is lacking; however, as it's really just motivation to get you to drive until you have paid your loan.”
- optimization111 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players experiencing performance issues such as frame drops, stuttering, and long loading times, particularly on lower-end hardware. While some users report smooth gameplay and solid frame rates, others highlight the need for significant improvements in UI design and memory management. Despite these challenges, the extensive customization options and engaging gameplay have garnered positive feedback, suggesting that with further optimization, the game could reach its full potential.
“The customization is some of the best I've ever seen in this genre; there's a visible change for performance parts too.”
“You are able to choose from a multitude of visual customization parts for all parts of your car, and the performance modification is simple yet effective, with the ability to modify multiple aspects of your car, such as downforce, handling, and engine parts.”
“From tweaking the engine performance to fine-tuning the suspension, the possibilities are endless, allowing you to create a truly unique car that reflects your personal style and preferences.”
“The game is also a performance hog.”
“Runs like shit on my RTX 3060, although gameplay seemed promising, the abysmal performance on PC is keeping me from playing it.”
“The game as a whole needs serious work before a full release, especially in terms of optimization.”
- grinding54 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 70 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that it can be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time to progress. While some appreciate the depth and challenge of grinding for upgrades and customization, others find the repetitive nature and cumbersome UI frustrating, leading to a feeling of burnout. Overall, players suggest that improvements in navigation and customization processes could enhance the experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I've been grinding non-stop and you get to a point where you're almost going to lose your mind, but in a good way, if that makes any sense.”
“The only problem I had was that it was a prologue; after grinding the money, races, and upgrading my first car, I realized that I became overpowered and could only race the better racers.”
“There's a possibility of soft-locking if you're not prepared: forced boss races may prevent you from grinding lower grade rivals to be able to improve your car enough.”
- stability34 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 85 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing charming glitches while others report significant bugs, such as screen freezes and UI issues. While many appreciate the retro vibe and overall performance, the game is still considered somewhat unpolished and buggy, particularly in its AI behavior and control settings. Overall, it shows potential but requires further bug fixes and improvements to enhance the user experience.
“Tweaked some settings, and the game runs great.”
“Great physics, hard and competitive racing; not that hard to run, looks great, runs great, and it has amazing customization.”
“Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
“The ride height adjustment screen is buggy with button prompts.”
“Started to play then the screen freezes when trying to exit.”
“Music is bad to me and the game is a buggy mess; I press pause then unpause, the map disappears, do it again and the arrow disappears. After that, I quit the event and it spawns me in the middle of darkness, and I start somehow driving and it says something is under construction. Then it spawns me somewhere new, and every time I drive off it says something is under construction and keeps putting me back at the spawn point.”
- emotional30 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a profound emotional connection to the game, highlighting its ability to evoke nostalgia and thrill through its immersive driving experience, soundtrack, and visual style reminiscent of the 90s. Many reviewers note that the game elicits strong feelings of speed, danger, and attachment to the vehicle, making them feel as if they are truly part of the racing world. Overall, the emotional impact is described as euphoric and reminiscent of classic racing games, creating a compelling reason for players to engage deeply with the experience.
“Speechless, this game is incredible, just the way it made me feel, the music, the actual driving, the scenery, the old school VHS vibe.”
“It's a raw, almost emotional sensation of becoming one with your car, and that alone has guaranteed that I'll be keeping an eye out for this game.”
“The sense of speed is thrilling, and crashing made me feel like my life was in danger - a testament to the game's immersive qualities.”
- humor30 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- -7 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of witty dialogue, amusing character interactions, and lighthearted moments that enhance the overall experience. Players find the quirky physics, funny NPC responses, and humorous text messages engaging, although some aspects of the game can be frustratingly bad, leading to a blend of laughter and annoyance. Overall, the humor adds a lively charm to the gameplay, making it more enjoyable than initially expected.
“Losing all the betting money gets your car taken - this was hilarious to me, the loan shark guy literally says 'suck less next time' as he's taking your car.”
“The choice of early 2000's Japan is great for a street racing game, and the text messaging between racers has its funny moments.”
“And the text messages or calls that they will send you whether you win or lose are so funny and fun to experience; this game feels a lot more alive than I would have ever thought it could.”
“The humor feels forced and unoriginal, relying too heavily on tired clichés rather than clever writing.”
“It's like the developers thought slapping a few memes together would be enough to make players laugh, but it just falls flat.”
“The attempts at humor often come off as cringeworthy, making it hard to take the game seriously.”
- replayability19 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag among reviewers; many appreciate its casual, fun nature and customization options, noting it serves as a great time killer, especially for a demo. However, some feel it lacks depth and variety in gameplay, suggesting that the limited race types and activities diminish long-term replay value. Overall, while it offers enjoyable replayability, particularly for fans of arcade racers, there are calls for more content and features to enhance the experience.
“It's a great casual chillout game with lots of replayability, which there aren't too many of nowadays.”
“Phenomenal for being a free demo, with plenty of replay value.”
“Tl;dr: love letter to arcade racers of the early 2000s-2010s, with a banger soundtrack, banger game design, and insane replay value despite the fact it's only a demo.”
“Replayability 3/10.”
“People need variation and the race types aren't going to cut it. Although this is a racing game, I really don't think it's replayable if we don't have a bit more depth in other game areas, like buying an apartment, making contacts with people, or starting your own race team.”
“So the dude straight up just jacks my car and leaves me with 0 yen... kinda dumb there's no compensation for the parts I already bought since the car alone could've repaid the debt. I guess it's for replayability, but come on, I'm 4 hours into the game on the last boss and you screw me like that.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is praised for being free and devoid of microtransactions, offering a nostalgic experience without the pressure of in-game purchases. Players appreciate the extensive car customization options and anticipate future content, highlighting the game's ability to deliver excitement and replayability that surpasses many recent AAA titles.
“Tldr: a terrifyingly fun game that doesn't push in-game purchases and has more replayability than any NFS game from the past 6 years.”
“I really need someone to explain how a game that isn't even complete yet, free and with so far no microtransactions does a better job at making you feel excited about racing than a multimillion dollar company.”
“With no in-app purchases?!?!”
“Better racing game than those cash grab triple-A titles nowadays.”
- character development3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for deeper character development and the inclusion of a love interest, drawing comparisons to the art style of horror games. There are concerns about the potential neglect of the story and character designs, alongside suggestions for improving camera angles to enhance the overall experience.
“The vintage PS1 UI and character design reminds me somewhat of Chilia's art horror games.”
“Maybe add a love interest, some character development, etc.”
“Maybe add a love interest, some character development, etc. The camera work with the third-person perspective isn't very comfortable; looking at a low angle could be improved by adjusting to a higher angle or providing an option to change angles.”
“Hope they don't just abandon the story and character designs.”
