Radical Heights

About

"Radical Heights" is a free-to-play battle royale game set in a 1980s-inspired world. Players compete in matches with up to 100 participants, fighting to be the last one standing while exploring a large, open-world map filled with weapons, vehicles, and challenges. The game features a unique cash-based progression system, allowing players to earn and spend in-game currency to customize and upgrade their characters.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

64%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,234 reviews

gameplay279 positive mentions

optimization192 negative mentions

gameplay
732 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
52%
10%
The gameplay of "Radical Heights" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fast-paced, arcade-style mechanics and unique features like the cash system and rolling mechanic, which add a fresh twist to the battle royale genre. However, numerous criticisms highlight the game's rough state, including clunky controls, unpolished mechanics, and significant bugs that detract from the overall experience. While some players find the core gameplay enjoyable and addictive, others express frustration over performance issues and a lack of depth compared to more established titles.
- “The game's mechanics were solid, the gunplay was satisfying, and the game show elements added a fun twist to the battle royale formula.”
- “Radical Heights addresses the largest struggles of balance in the battle royale genre and integrates them as unique gameplay mechanics, and with all of the strength of battle royale that it holds in mind, Radical Heights is the most fun BMX simulator on the market.”
- “The gameplay is fun, it's fast-paced but still gets intense as the players alive drop.”
- “However, the game's 'xtreme early access' state made it feel incomplete, with rough mechanics and a lack of polish.”
- “The actual moment-to-moment gameplay is a rather lifeless PUBG clone with weird BMX bike physics.”
- “The gameplay is terrible and I don't mention the lag...”
optimization
581 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
55%
33%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, frequent crashes, and untextured environments. While some acknowledge that it is in early access and may improve over time, the current state is described as "horribly unoptimized" and "buggy," making it nearly unplayable for users with lower-end systems. Overall, the consensus is that significant optimization work is needed for the game to reach its potential.
- “Honestly, I think it's a really fun game. It's obviously very rough, but the core elements are good and the base game is solid. Can't wait to see this game more optimized and smoothed out.”
- “I think this game has potential and I look forward to seeing what it turns into once they get it more optimized and fleshed out.”
- “The game is very fun to play, and I enjoy that it's free to play, but there is only one issue: optimization.”
- “Unplayable, laggy servers and pretty bad optimization.”
- “This game is so poorly optimized that I can't even boot it up without mega performance issues that render it unplayable.”
graphics
416 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
61%
15%
The graphics of "Radical Heights" have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its vibrant '80s aesthetic and colorful visuals, which evoke nostalgia. However, numerous criticisms highlight the game's poor optimization, graphical glitches, and overall subpar quality compared to contemporary titles, often likening its visuals to those of older consoles. While some players find the unique art style charming, the consensus is that significant improvements are needed to enhance the graphical experience.
- “From the start, Radical Heights made waves, standing out from the crowd with its '80s aesthetic and unique take on the battle royale formula.”
- “Radical Heights was an '80s-themed battle royale game developed by Boss Key Productions, blending vibrant visuals and a unique game-show premise.”
- “The graphics are really colorful, and I dig the '80s outrun colors it has going on.”
- “Radical Heights was graphically inferior to contemporary battle royale games in 2018.”
- “The most unforgiving issue with the game is that it feels like an alpha build with missing textures, features, and glitchy visuals.”
- “The graphics look like they don't even belong on a PS2.”
stability
328 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
1%
97%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly given its early access status. Many players acknowledge the fun aspects of the game but express frustration over its unoptimized state, frequent crashes, and incomplete features. While some find enjoyment in the chaotic nature of the bugs, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial improvements to reach its potential.
- “It runs great and I've only had one crash so far.”
- “I've seen little to no glitches or gameplay issues.”
- “Of course it's not finished, but for it being so new, it runs great, has great movement and gun fights.”
- “The game is a buggy mess with a pointless money mechanic on top.”
- “This game should not be on Steam until several thousand bugs, glitches, and exploits are fixed.”
- “It's buggy as hell but that makes it unique (bugs don't really affect the fights so chill out) and the BMX bikes are a great addition.”
humor
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with many players finding it hilarious and fun, especially in the context of its quirky '80s game show theme. The game's comedic elements, including funny physics and absurd gameplay moments, contribute to a lighthearted experience that is best enjoyed with friends. While some players note that the humor can be overshadowed by bugs and performance issues, the overall sentiment is that the game offers a refreshing and entertaining take on the battle royale genre.
- “Plus, the '80s-inspired aesthetic was pure nostalgia fuel, and the game had a real sense of humor about itself.”
- “This game is hilarious and has a lot of potential.”
- “The game is styled around 80's game-show TV and general fads of that era, and it works beautifully and hilariously.”
- “Not funny”
- “In three rounds, I killed 20 people and still only got $100. It's not funny or exciting. I hope it will be for you, but this is not my cup of tea.”
monetization
159 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
27%
71%
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers noting the presence of microtransactions and cosmetic purchases even in its unfinished state. Players express frustration over the prioritization of monetization over essential game development, highlighting the lack of textures and overall optimization. While some acknowledge that the microtransactions are not pay-to-win, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game feels rushed and primarily designed to capitalize on the battle royale trend.
- “There are in-game microtransactions for cosmetic items, but nearly all clothing items can be purchased through free in-game currency, so this is in no way characterized as a cash grab.”
- “The price of entry is free, and the monetization system is well implemented and quite fair.”
- “The monetization model also seems to be fair and unobtrusive.”
- “This is a blatant cash grab to cash in on the battle royale genre, that they've been working on for 6 months ever since battle royale blew up.”
- “It's absolutely shameless that they are willing to enable microtransactions within the game without even giving all the buildings full textures, finishing the female character option, and making movement a glitchy 'shocky' experience.”
- “What I got is a shameless cash grab, this game even as an early access title needed more development time.”
music
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
11%
The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic 80s vibe, featuring catchy tracks that enhance the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the energetic soundtracks, including iconic songs like "You're the Best Around" and "Danger Zone," which contribute to the fun and immersive environment. However, some users note issues with music volume and repetition, suggesting that while the music is a highlight, it could benefit from more variety and better integration.
- “The music is delightfully 80s and it gives me 'Blade Runner' or 'The Running Man' vibes.”
- “Winning a game rewarded you with raining cash and gorgeous music making you feel like an absolute beast of a champion.”
- “The old school vibe and music are amazing, maps pretty large and I've been liking it a lot.”
- “The most obvious issues in my opinion are the complete lack of music and ambient noise, which makes the single-player queue a rather uncanny experience for me.”
- “I was assaulted by bad 80s electronic music that was on a 30-second loop while stuck in a loading screen for five minutes.”
- “Music is annoying and bugs out so it keeps playing even when it shouldn't (need to disable in options right away).”
story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
62%
12%
The game's story is described as a poignant love story that resonates with players, emphasizing themes of perseverance and nostalgia, particularly in light of its impending discontinuation. While some players appreciate the unique gameshow twist and 80s-themed plot, others feel that the game lacks depth and could benefit from a more robust narrative or dedicated story mode. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some praising the storyline while others view it as secondary to the gameplay experience.
- “Moral of the story, you never know what life holds in store for you, and if I would have given up when all the odds were stacked against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “The best game I ever played; honestly, it was the saddest thing when I heard it will be no more. Never forget this great game; I shall pass on my story with this game for generations. RIP 😓😓😓”
- “Although it has a few minor bugs, I still believe this is a great game with a brilliant storyline.”
- “They should slap a story mode in it or new game modes to bring back the community.”
- “I know battle royale games aren't story-driven, but people like to have a decent-looking character; it adds to the experience more than people realize.”
- “Moral of the story is: if you try to save your company by throwing together a battle royale game in 5 months, expect people to think you're desperate, which you probably are.”
atmosphere
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
18%
18%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant 80s retro theme, reminiscent of game shows and the zaniness of the Saints Row series, creating a fun and nostalgic experience. While some players note that the maps can feel empty, the colorful visuals and engaging sound design contribute to a unique and entertaining atmosphere that stands out among other battle royale games. Overall, the combination of music and thematic elements is considered one of the game's strongest aspects.
- “Has great potential, love the 80s retro feel with the game show-like atmosphere.”
- “I am loving the 80s theme, and the overall atmosphere reminds me of the wacky, or zaniness of the Saints Row series, though not nearly as crude.”
- “The colorful, cheerful play on a competitive game mode helps to keep the atmosphere pretty light and entertaining while playing the game.”
- “The game feels kind of empty; the maps and atmosphere feel empty.”
- “The visuals are a lot more colorful than other big battle royales, but the atmosphere is realistic yet dull.”
- “"Extreme alpha stage"—very glitchy and buggy, yet nostalgic; the atmosphere, especially during the final shootout, looks like a dream.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players expressing deep nostalgia and heartbreak over its potential and the loss of what could have been, while others feel disappointment and frustration, leading to a sense of apathy towards the current state of battle royale games. The game's 80s aesthetic evokes strong feelings, but the overall experience leaves some players longing for a more fulfilling and enjoyable gameplay.
- “I keep looking back at the store page, even though it is in vain, and I shed a tear hoping for a resurrection.”
- “It's so 80s it makes me literally want to cry.”
- “Heartbreaking to see something that could have been so great end.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be balanced and manageable, with a system that allows for cosmetic items to be earned through gameplay without feeling overly tedious. While some may opt to spend real money to bypass grinding for cosmetics, the game is not pay-to-win, and the overall experience is designed to keep players engaged without excessive farming. However, the initial stages of matches can feel slow, contrasting with the fast-paced action that follows.
- “The system for purchasing cosmetic accessories with in-game money is awesome; it's not too tedious or slow, but also not too easy.”
- “The beginning of matches can be very tedious.”
- “Of course, if you buy it with real-life money, you can get that shirt right now without any grinding or unlocking.”
- “Or you can invest real money to get them early and avoid the grinding, but that choice is completely up to you, and makes no difference to the game whatsoever; it's only cosmetics.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The game shows promise in replayability, particularly with its grid system that enhances gameplay across different stages, making it more engaging than traditional mechanics. However, significant bugs and optimization issues detract from the experience, suggesting that while the foundation is strong, further development is needed to fully realize its potential. Overall, players express a desire to see improvements, indicating a willingness to return for future updates.
- “The grid system needs some tweaking but already provides the early, mid, and end game with more replayability than the traditional circle mechanic.”
- “Variety/replay value | 10/10”
- “Game is in extreme early access, already feels more fast-paced, more fun, and more playable than Fortnite, H1Z1, and PUBG. Imagine the game in the future.”
- “I realize the game is in early access and all, but no game should ever be released in this state. There are bugs where your player model will orbit a bike, you can get stuck or experience laggy movement, and you can glitch under trucks to hide yourself. There is no time limit between getting off and on bikes, making it extremely hard to be hit by spamming the 'E' key to get on and off the bike. There are absolutely no animations for shooting and reloading weapons on the bike, and there are entire playable areas that haven't been textured. The developers are mistaken when they say that the map isn't done but the gameplay is finished for some of the reasons I mentioned above.”
- “Game is unoptimized though, similar to H1Z1. It's free and not better, but more playable.”
- “The grid system needs some tweaking but already provides more replayability than the traditional circle mechanic in the early, mid, and end game.”