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RAD

RAD is a gorgeous and addictive entry into the Roguelite genre with creative powerups and a groovy soundtrack
RAD Game Cover
74%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, optimization
73% User Score Based on 644 reviews
Critic Score 75%Based on 37 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox OneXboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
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RAD Game Cover

About

RAD is a single player arcade hack and slash game. It was developed by Double Fine Productions and was released on August 19, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"RAD is a single-player hack and slash rogue-like game set in a post-post-apocalyptic world. As a teenage protagonist, you explore the ever-changing radioactive wasteland of the Fallow, battling strange creatures and gaining mutations that alter your abilities. With wonderful gameplay, good visuals, and delightful music, RAD offers a funny and engaging experience, albeit very grinding."

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RAD screenshot
RAD screenshot
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RAD screenshot
RAD screenshot
RAD screenshot
RAD screenshot
RAD screenshot
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+15
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73%
Audience ScoreBased on 644 reviews
gameplay62 positive mentions
grinding26 negative mentions
  • RAD features a vibrant 80s aesthetic with colorful graphics and a catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • The mutation system allows for unique gameplay experiences, offering a variety of abilities that can change how players approach combat.
  • The game encourages exploration and experimentation, with procedurally generated levels that keep each run feeling fresh and distinct.
  • The game can feel repetitive due to limited enemy variety and the same basic mechanics being used across runs.
  • Some mutations can be underwhelming or situational, leading to frustrating runs where players feel they have no control over their success.
  • The combat can be clunky, with slow animations and hit detection issues that detract from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
  • gameplay
    199 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Rad" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and lacking depth despite its vibrant aesthetics and mutation mechanics. While some appreciate the engaging roguelike elements and the variety introduced by mutations, others criticize the clunky controls, shallow combat mechanics, and insufficient tutorial guidance, leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, the game offers a fun yet flawed gameplay loop that may appeal to fans of the genre but struggles to maintain long-term interest.

    • “Rad is an electrifying journey through a post-apocalyptic world that brilliantly blends vibrant aesthetics, unique gameplay, and an unexpectedly deep narrative.”
    • “The gameplay flows really well in the typical roguelike fashion - venture out, gather stuff, get a bit better every time and go a bit further.”
    • “The variety in its power-ups, map generation, and character selection keep things fresh, and the gameplay evolves alongside the mutating characters to remain entertaining and addictive.”
    • “The gameplay feels really clunky and the camera feels inconsistent.”
    • “I really have no incentive to play besides 'finishing the game', because there are no interesting NPCs to help, the narrative isn't particularly strong, and the lack of gameplay variety makes the game very repetitive and boring.”
    • “Unfortunately, it can't compensate for a weak foundation; the game's mechanics are inherently simple and repetitive, leading to tedious gameplay.”
  • graphics
    173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, retro 80s aesthetic, which combines colorful, cartoonish visuals with a playful tone that enhances the overall experience. While many reviewers appreciate the unique art style and lively atmosphere, some criticize the execution, noting issues with texture quality and occasional glitches. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, contributing to the game's charm despite mixed feelings about the gameplay itself.

    • “Rad is an electrifying journey through a post-apocalyptic world that brilliantly blends vibrant aesthetics, unique gameplay, and an unexpectedly deep narrative.”
    • “The colorful, cartoonish aesthetic stands in delightful contrast to the dark, decaying world it inhabits.”
    • “The graphics and art style are top notch here and the soundtrack is pretty good, too.”
    • “The retro fluro aesthetic isn't my taste and the voiceovers are obnoxious.”
    • “I wanted to like this game but to be honest, both the graphics and the gameplay bored me almost instantly.”
    • “The graphics and animation are poor even for a cartoonesque style; the controls feel clunky, and I wasn't at all pulled in by the narrative.”
  • music
    116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its vibrant 80s synthwave style, effectively complementing the retro aesthetic and enhancing the overall atmosphere. While many players appreciate the catchy soundtrack and its nostalgic vibes, some feel it can clash with the game's theme or become repetitive over time. Overall, the audio design, including voice acting and sound effects, is generally well-executed, contributing positively to the game's immersive experience.

    • “The music, sound effects, and (minimal) voice-over stuff are all well-done.”
    • “The 80's aesthetic is on point both visually and musically.”
    • “I absolutely love the amount of different combinations that you may end up with - absolutely fantastic - the soundtrack is phenomenal - I love humming along to it.”
    • “The soundtrack clashes a bit with the game theme.”
    • “The soundtrack is fine but uninspired and not varied enough.”
    • “Its soundtrack reaches for the allure of 80s-style synth-wave and, while it is passable, it lacks the driving energy that the genre normally delivers; a missed opportunity that could've been a good fit for the game's intense combat moments.”
  • story
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is generally considered minimal and lackluster, with many players noting that while the world and lore are intriguing, the overarching narrative fails to engage. Despite some quirky elements and humor, the repetitive quests and cardboard NPCs detract from the experience, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, while the game may appeal to fans of roguelikes for its gameplay, those seeking a compelling story may find it disappointing.

    • “The world and lore are fun; just don’t expect much from the overarching story.”
    • “The story is revealed in pieces as you beat the game and unlock new goodies by doing so, which is an interesting take.”
    • “The story of a post-apocalyptic world is a fresh concept to me and is well made.”
    • “Don't expect a riveting story; I'd recommend maybe doing an hour or two, then putting it down to avoid burnout.”
    • “The cardboard NPCs, the useless narrator, and the weak and lacking 'story' are surprising from a studio like Double Fine, who are extremely capable in these departments.”
    • “The characters are completely hollow and the story is uninspired.”
  • replayability
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some players praising the game for its high replay value due to varied mechanics and multiple endings, while others criticize it for a lack of depth and repetitive gameplay that limits long-term engagement. Many note that while the game offers enjoyable experiences, it may not sustain interest beyond a few runs, particularly for those seeking new content or multiplayer options. Overall, the game's replayability seems to hinge on individual enjoyment of its core mechanics and aesthetic rather than a wealth of new discoveries.

    • “Fairly unique with great replayability.”
    • “Creates a fun and enjoyable nostalgic atmosphere and great replay value!”
    • “Huge amount of replayability with tons of different synergies between mutations and different ways to approach each new randomly generated level.”
    • “Most runs play the same, not replayable.”
    • “Replayability is extremely tedious and doesn't provide anything new to discover (which would impact enemies or the world around you).”
    • “Then you just hit the wall and see that you've basically seen everything the game has to offer in a few successful runs and its replayability is rather low, despite that it is roguelite.”
  • humor
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mix of quirky 80s references and absurd scenarios, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. While some find the humor juvenile or overly focused on aesthetics, many appreciate the funny characters, random mutations, and humorous narration that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully blends a comedic tone with its gameplay, appealing to fans of lighthearted, chaotic humor.

    • “To hear the narrator randomly and unironically call out 'rad!' or 'baby needs a new pair of shoes' or any of the dozens of other 80s slang wasn't just humorous, it was fun!”
    • “They wore their sunglasses at night had me laughing out loud and then chuckling for like an hour.”
    • “The underlying story is surprisingly funny as well as the 'mistakes' and misinterpretations of the ancient world... ”
  • grinding
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. While some enjoy the core gameplay and find it fun, the excessive grind for achievements and the slow-paced combat lead to frustration and boredom over time. Overall, the game is seen as overly grindy, making it less appealing for those who dislike repetitive mechanics.

    • “It's sad, the combat loop is fun, the enemies are cool, but the game is just too grindy at the moment.”
    • “Enemies will become both tanky and dodgy, dealing tremendous amounts of damage quickly, while your damage won't keep up, leading to long, tedious, and repetitive fights.”
    • “Unfortunately, it can't compensate for a weak foundation; the game's mechanics are inherently simple and repetitive, leading to tedious gameplay.”
  • optimization
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While some players appreciate the care taken in its development, many report significant issues such as frequent stuttering, high resource usage, and inconsistent frame rates, particularly on the Switch. Recent updates have improved performance for some, but optimization remains a notable concern for many users.

    • “Double Fine delivers quality; you can tell this game was tested, optimized, and made with care, which I feel is often the case with Double Fine games.”
    • “I also haven't had any performance issues or bugs so far, so it seems like the game is very cleanly built.”
    • “With the cons so far only being performance related, I'd say this is a game well worth its price.”
    • “What a pity: could have been an interesting game, but unfortunately it is plagued by frequent stuttering during cut-scenes and cyclical hiccups while playing. It doesn't matter if you disable V-Sync, G-Sync, full screen or windowed mode, 60 fps or more, etc. It also uses too many resources, and the GPU/CPU can reach very high temperatures at 144Hz/fps, where much more advanced engines stay 5-7°C lower (my system: 1080p 144Hz G-Sync, i7-8750H + GTX 1070 8GB + 32GB).”
    • “It badly needs better optimization.”
    • “On the other hand, the RNG can be brutal in how it distributes power-ups between runs, and overall performance on the Switch (especially in handheld mode) leaves something to be desired.”
  • atmosphere
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its rich, nostalgic vibe, effectively capturing a sense of a fallen civilization through vibrant graphics and engaging sound design. While some players feel the soundtrack doesn't perfectly align with the overall tone, the retro aesthetic and lively environment contribute to a fun and immersive experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing replay value and enjoyment.

    • “Though the narrative is minimal, the atmosphere is rich, and the sense of a fallen civilization is always palpable.”
    • “Great lively atmosphere filled with color, and the graphical touches make you believe you're in a post-apocalyptic world.”
    • “The art style, the gameplay, the music, and the atmosphere overall was so retro and so much fun.”
    • “The soundtrack is a rock/techno beat; it doesn't fit the atmosphere of the game in my opinion, but it does fit the theme of the word 'rad.'”
    • “Rad plays similarly to dungeon rogue-likes like Binding of Isaac but adds a heavy dose of 80s-90s atmosphere and music.”
    • “Atmosphere is dead on, and difficulty seems well balanced.”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a mix of emotional highs and lows in their experiences, noting that while the game lacks moments of overwhelming power, the rarity of successful runs and the suddenness of defeat can lead to a profound sense of heartbreak. Additionally, the game's darker themes, including depictions of abuse and suffering, contribute to a heavy emotional atmosphere that resonates deeply with players.

    • “It’s just that those runs are rare, and death can come quick if you lose your edge for a moment, and both of those factors can make losing a good run even more heartbreaking.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is reported to have significant stability issues, including bugs and input lag that affect ranged attacks, making them feel clunky and less effective. While the graphics are generally appealing, players have noted the presence of glitches that detract from the overall experience.

    • “So be warned, this game is relatively buggy!”
    • “Ranged attacks, while useful, feel buggy and clunky due to an input lag that requires the player to delay their movement until after their projectile has been launched, drastically reducing their effectiveness.”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is characterized by a playful and quirky aesthetic, with designs that embrace a whimsical take on body horror, set against a backdrop of a vibrant, post-apocalyptic world. This unique approach adds depth to the characters while maintaining a lighthearted tone.

    • “The environments look like a toy box of post-apocalyptic junk, and the character designs lean into goofy body horror without ever becoming grim.”
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75%Critics’ scoreBased on 37 critic reviews
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9h Median play time
21h Average play time
5-25h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

RAD is a arcade hack and slash game.

RAD is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 21 hours playing RAD.

RAD was released on August 19, 2019.

RAD was developed by Double Fine Productions.

RAD has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

RAD is a single player game.

Similar games include UnderMine, Curse of the Dead Gods, Have a Nice Death, Children of Morta, Dead Cells and others.