NIGHT-RUNNERS™ PROLOGUE

About

"NIGHT-RUNNERS™ PROLOGUE" is a street racing game set in the corrupt underworld of Japan, where you navigate power struggles to control regions and top crew rankings. The game features detailed car customization, dynamic character dialogue, and a full photomode. You start with a car from a used car auction, and can view and maintain your collection at your safehouse.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 19,704 reviews

music1.2k positive mentions

grinding76 negative mentions

The game features a nostalgic 90s aesthetic and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the immersive racing experience.
Extensive car customization options allow players to create unique vehicles, contributing to the game's appeal.
The humor and witty dialogue add a lively atmosphere, making the interactions with NPCs enjoyable.

The graphics are often criticized for being pixelated and difficult to navigate, leading to visibility issues during gameplay.
The storyline is perceived as underdeveloped, lacking depth and character progression, which detracts from player immersion.
Many players report bugs and glitches, particularly with the AI and user interface, resulting in a frustrating experience.

music
2,404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
50%
1%
The music in this game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its dynamic integration that increases in intensity as the player accelerates, enhancing the sense of speed and immersion. The soundtrack features a mix of energetic genres, including drum and bass and breakcore, which resonates well with the nostalgic 90s and early 2000s street racing vibe. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment, with many players expressing a desire for more tracks to be added in future updates.
- “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 soundtrack is killer, I love the breakcore and house songs they selected (great artists), and 'Emotion Engine' will forever be a vibe.”
- “The soundtrack is a banger and the sense of speed can be terrifying but amazing.”
- “The same songs get a bit boring I'm sure that one will be easily fixed when out of prologue.”
- “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.”
graphics
1,746 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with many praising the nostalgic 90s and early 2000s aesthetic, likening it to classic titles like "Need for Speed Underground" and "Midnight Club." While some players appreciate the retro VHS-style visuals and the unique art direction, others find the graphics pixelated and difficult to navigate, particularly in terms of visibility during gameplay. Overall, the game's aesthetic is celebrated for its immersive atmosphere and sense of speed, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its intentionally low-fidelity design.
- “The visuals + the music is really something <3”
- “The graphics are pixelated but it's understandable because the game takes place in 90s Japan; please try the game.”
- “The aesthetic, music, and driving all feel amazing and the customization is one of the best in a modern racing game.”
- “Most games I can run at min graphics at 60fps, this lags pretty bad on min 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 0 clue why it's this horrible given that the game isn't ginormous like some others and isn't flooded with details.”
- “Graphics are hazy, too dark, roads are barely visible.”
- “The graphics are nostalgic but also an eyesore.”
gameplay
1,072 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
57%
3%
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 have noted that the game lacks clear guidance for new players, suffers from navigation issues, and features AI that can feel overly challenging due to rubberbanding mechanics. Overall, while the game shows great potential and offers a fun experience, it still requires refinement in its gameplay loop and mechanics for a more polished final release.
- “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!”
- “The gameplay is really fun for what it is so far, you're only able to go to limited places, do time trials, and race against one racing team in the current state of writing.”
- “The gameplay, graphics, music, the customization. Mechanically rough around the edges, but this is just a demo version.”
- “But, needs guidance at the start up of what/how to navigate the gameplay.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
674 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
35%
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 combination of vibrant visuals, a fitting soundtrack, and attention to detail that enhances the overall experience, making it feel both cinematic and engaging. Many reviews highlight that the game's atmosphere alone is compelling enough to attract players, even those who may not typically enjoy racing games.
- “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.”
- “They put so much effort into the atmosphere and nostalgia they forgot to make a game.”
- “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, falls short almost everywhere else.”
story
452 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
72%
6%
The game's story is generally perceived as simple and underdeveloped, serving primarily as a backdrop for the racing mechanics. While some players appreciate the gritty premise of racing to pay off a debt, many feel that the narrative lacks depth and character development, with a desire for more engaging dialogue and side quests. Overall, the story shows potential but requires further expansion and refinement to enhance player immersion and connection.
- “The gameplay is engaging and the storyline is intriguing, making it easy for players to get hooked.”
- “It has this grimy found footage vibe with a story playing into the aesthetic, you must pay off a mob debt that a 'friend' tricked you into.”
- “The storyline, even in this short preview, is intriguing and promises a rich, immersive experience.”
- “The story could use a bit of work; I feel like the characters you encounter don't really feel as 'alive' as the game does.”
- “The story is very flat, typical of the genre.”
- “I do believe the story is lacking; however, it's really just motivation to get you to drive until you have paid your loan.”
optimization
222 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
79%
7%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing smooth performance while others face significant issues like frame drops, stuttering, and long loading times. While many appreciate the extensive customization options and the impact of tuning on performance, there are widespread calls for improvements in user interface design and memory management. As the game is still in early stages, further optimization is needed to enhance the experience for a broader range of hardware configurations.
- “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.”
- “The customization is some of the best I've ever seen in this genre; there's a visible change for performance parts too.”
- “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 as a whole needs serious work before a full release, especially in terms of optimization.”
- “Runs like shit on my RTX 3060, although gameplay seemed promising, the abysmal performance on PC is keeping me from playing it.”
- “Great game, really fun and almost addicting, a very detailed portrayal of the Japanese underground racing scene, although the game seems rather poorly optimized, or my laptop is just that bad but I get a peak of 21 fps, so that makes the game a little bit annoying sadly, hopefully when the full game is released the optimization will be better.”
grinding
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
70%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as excessively tedious, requiring players to invest significant time in repetitive tasks such as racing and car customization. Many reviewers express frustration with the cumbersome user interface and the numerous loading screens, which detract from the overall enjoyment. However, some players appreciate the grind as a rewarding challenge, indicating that the experience can be enjoyable if one is willing to endure the monotony.
- “I feel like I'm grinding a brick on the pavement.”
- “There's a lot of time wasted by UI and unskippable scenes/dialogue; this ultimately makes the game feel clunky and tedious. I'm especially bothered by the customization UI, the black screens between categories, having to go around the car, and going back and forth from the store. I'd much rather have a simple list where I can access every option, as well as being able to see every category in the store at once.”
- “Constant loading screens, scene transitions, repetitive interactions, tedious inventory management, unskippable scenes... it gets very annoying very quickly.”
stability
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
85%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches, particularly with the AI and user interface, leading to occasional freezes and navigation issues. While some users have experienced smooth performance and charming retro aesthetics, others find the game to be a "buggy mess," especially given its early access status. Overall, it shows potential but requires significant bug fixes to enhance the experience.
- “Runs great on OLED Steam Deck.”
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
- “Tweaked some settings, game runs great.”
- “The ride height adjustment screen is buggy with button prompts.”
- “Started to play then 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, the arrow disappears. Then after that, I quit the event and it spawns me in the middle of darkness and I start somehow driving. It says something is under construction, then it spawns me somewhere new. Every time I drive off, it says something is under construction and keeps putting me back at the spawn point.”
emotional
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players expressing feelings of nostalgia, thrill, and immersion that evoke memories of classic racing games. The combination of an engaging soundtrack, intense driving mechanics, and a sense of danger creates a euphoric experience, making players feel deeply connected to their cars and the racing environment. Many reviewers noted that the game successfully captures the essence of speed and emotional investment, reminiscent of their childhood gaming experiences.
- “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.”
- “This was truly an emotional engine.”
humor
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
5%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying the witty dialogue, amusing interactions with NPCs, and the comedic situations that arise from gameplay mechanics, such as losing bets and quirky physics. Many find the text messaging between racers and the absurdity of certain game elements to be genuinely funny, contributing to a lively atmosphere. However, some players also note that the humor can become frustrating during high-stakes races, highlighting a mix of enjoyment and annoyance in the comedic aspects.
- “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.”
- “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. I honestly just thought it was going to be driving around and customizing a car when I first saw this game, but I'm greatly happy that it's a lot more than just driving aimlessly.”
- “The charming and funny interactions with other racers get the job done and are seemingly predictable at first glance, but it is a fun and interesting way to initiate races.”
- “The humor feels forced and unoriginal, making it hard to connect with the characters or the story.”
- “The jokes often fall flat, relying on outdated references that don't resonate with today's audience.”
- “Instead of clever writing, the game resorts to cheap gags that feel more like a chore than a source of entertainment.”
replayability
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
45%
8%
Overall, the game is praised for its replayability, particularly as a casual and fun experience, with many players enjoying the customization options and responsive driving mechanics. However, some reviewers feel that the lack of varied content and depth limits its long-term replay value, suggesting that while it is enjoyable now, it may require more features in the full release to maintain interest. Despite these concerns, many still recommend it for its nostalgic appeal and engaging gameplay.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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, or making contacts with people, or making friends, possibly even starting your own race team or clan.”
- “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 (was over 4 million at this point). 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 as if I'm playing Dark Souls.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
50%
33%
The game is praised for its lack of monetization tactics, offering a complete experience without in-game purchases or microtransactions, which stands in stark contrast to many modern AAA titles. Players appreciate the nostalgic feel and extensive car customization options, with the potential for more content in the future, all while being free to play. Overall, it is seen as a refreshing alternative that prioritizes gameplay over profit.
- “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 development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
Reviewers express a desire for deeper character development and the inclusion of a love interest, indicating that the current character designs and story elements may feel underdeveloped. There is a concern that the game might neglect its narrative and character arcs, suggesting a need for more engaging storytelling and character progression. Additionally, the camera work has been noted as uncomfortable, which could detract from the overall experience.
- “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; maybe adjust to a higher angle or give an option to change angles.”
- “Hope they don't just abandon the story and character designs.”
- “The vintage PS1 UI and character design reminds me somewhat of Chilia's art horror games.”