Super Night Riders
- May 18, 2016
- neko.works
Super Night Riders undoubtedly started out as a good idea. 80s and 90s racing games were cool, of that there is no doubt. But when you compare the visuals here to what's on display in upcoming projects such as 90s Super GT or Racing Apex – which aren't even finished yet - and then throw in super-repetitive gameplay and framerate issues, it all runs out of fuel rather quickly.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Super Night Riders" is a rhythm-based racing game where players control a motorcycle and race through neon-lit environments. The game features a minimalist aesthetic, with fast-paced action and a techno soundtrack. The objective is to reach the goal while keeping in time with the music and avoiding obstacles.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Linux
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Great soundtrack that enhances the retro arcade racing experience.
- Captures the nostalgic feel of classic arcade racers like Super Hang-On and Outrun.
- Simple and intuitive controls make it easy to pick up and play, providing a fun challenge.
- Limited content with only six courses and repetitive gameplay can lead to a short experience.
- Visibility issues during night stages can make it frustrating to navigate around other bikers.
- Lacks customization options and deeper gameplay mechanics, making it feel simplistic.
- music69 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback for its catchy and nostalgic soundtrack, which effectively enhances the retro arcade racing experience. While the selection is limited to six tracks, players appreciate the ability to choose or randomize the music during gameplay, with many noting that the tunes fit well with the racing theme and evoke a sense of speed. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere.
“It does a great job of bringing that 1989 Super Hang-On nostalgia back while conveying a great sense of speed to some great music.”
“The soundtrack is very notable and has a bit of its own style I did not anticipate.”
“The music is very enjoyable, just like Cruisin', too.”
“The soundtrack, stages, and sceneries are quite limited (with 6 of each), but for the type of game it is, I am totally fine with it, and putting the soundtrack on random didn't feel too repetitive at all.”
“With just six music tracks, it feels a bit repetitive.”
“The last downside, the Knight Rider menu music, yes, it is kinda fitting when it plays on the main menu, but why did they think it would be great to listen to while in a race?”
- graphics50 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simple yet charming, with a nostalgic appeal reminiscent of classic arcade racers. Players can choose between two graphical modes—"classic," which features low-poly aesthetics, and "super," which offers smoother visuals and enhanced effects. While some critiques mention the limitations of the graphical presentation and the lack of customization options, many appreciate the clean art style and the game's ability to run well on lower-end hardware.
“The graphics are crisp and attractive; however, there is also a 'classic mode' which uses low poly flat shading and stripes on the ground to drive home a retro aesthetic.”
“The graphics have a sort of 'modern retro' look and fit well.”
“Great soundtrack, colorful graphics, a great mechanic where the lighting changes based on what time of day it is, and extremely fast-paced racing action.”
“The graphical presentation is lacking; the standard Unity lighting model is awful, and it's clear why they're remaking it instead of attempting to rework the original product.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks, making customization difficult and the visuals feel horribly defective.”
“The graphics felt out of place for the kinds of games they were trying to emulate, which detracted from the overall experience.”
- gameplay32 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and straightforward mechanics, focusing on racing against the clock with basic controls for acceleration, braking, and steering. While some players appreciate the nostalgic arcade feel and smooth graphics, many criticize the handling and responsiveness, describing it as janky and unsatisfying. Overall, the game offers a minimalist experience that may appeal to younger players or those seeking a casual racing game, but lacks depth and polish for more experienced gamers.
“Gameplay consists of racing as fast as you can along sections of track, trying to hit the 'stage' line before the timer runs out, so you can get more time and keep playing.”
“As for the gameplay, it's pretty much simple: one button to move forward, another one to brake, and two different sides in order to steer your motorcycle.”
“Overall though, the classic arcade gameplay holds up just fine.”
“Case in point, the bike turns like a container ship, and when you hit another rider (which you will, because the bike turns like a container ship), you judder unpleasantly... it just feels so bad, janky and unsatisfying to play... and any experienced gamer will tell you, the handling, responsiveness and general gameplay feel of the control scheme must be well polished for this kind of game to succeed.”
“Unfortunately, this is something the developer seems to have phoned in, with little to no apparent gameplay testing.”
“The gameplay is about as barebones as it gets.”
- story11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game lacks a meaningful story, featuring no cutscenes, character backstories, or narrative depth, which leaves players feeling that the experience is incomplete. While some appreciate the simplicity, many reviewers express a desire for additional modes, character development, or a story mode to enhance the overall experience. Ultimately, the focus remains solely on racing without any substantial storytelling elements.
“Anyway, so let's make an overall analysis: the game doesn't really have a story, but you take control of this blonde girl who's always racing against an endless amount of bikers throughout several different roads.”
“Maybe a 'story mode' update in the future would flesh her out a bit?”
“There are no cutscenes, upgrades, different bikes, dramatic fall animations, or story here.”
“It seems kind of pointless to get the DLC for the cover character art when there's no real backstory for her, unless you make her your personal waifu and create one yourself.”
“In some ways it keeps the experience 'pure'; however, extra modes, skins, riders, some story narrative, or cutscenes would have gone a long way in making this game feel like more of a complete package.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has mixed reviews regarding replayability. While some players appreciate the good replay value, many express concerns about the lack of incentives to revisit completed tracks and courses, leading to a perception of limited longevity and replayability.
“The game has great replay value.”
“The replayability really shines through, allowing for different strategies and experiences each time.”
“The biggest problem for me is the lack of replayability and longevity, since the routes and stages can be completed rather quickly. Although the endurance race will take several tries, there isn't an incentive to race them again other than to get better scores and times.”
“Not much replayability once you complete all the tracks and courses.”
“My only complaint is the lack of replay value.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its classical, melodic, and Japanese-sounding music, which players find enjoyable and fitting. However, the street lights, while contributing to the ambiance, can obscure visibility of other bikers during dusk and night, creating some unfair gameplay moments.
“You can choose between the tracks on the fly, and they are all very classical, melodic, Japanese-sounding, good to listen to, and give the game a really great atmosphere.”
“The music fits the atmosphere.”
“Street lights, while atmospheric, create a unique ambiance, although they can make it difficult to see other bikers, which adds a layer of challenge during city and hanami at dusk and night.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Super Night Riders is criticized for its high price of around $5 USD, which many users feel is unjustified due to the game's defects and shortcomings, especially when compared to the abundance of free, higher-quality games available on Steam.
“Super Night Riders has a greedy, cash grab price of around $5 USD. It's not worth it given the defects and shortcomings of the product, especially considering the sheer number of completely free, much higher quality games on Steam.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems like the developers are more focused on squeezing money out of players rather than providing a quality gaming experience.”
“I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its stability, being largely bug-free and providing a satisfying sense of speed, which is a notable improvement for the developer.
“This game is bug-free and provides a nice sensation of speed, which is something that Milestone's games often struggle with.”
“The stability of the game is impressive, allowing for a smooth and enjoyable experience without any frustrating interruptions.”
“I appreciate how stable the game runs; it really enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest that the game's optimization could be improved by extending the time limits for completing courses, which would enhance accessibility and enjoyment for a broader audience, particularly for those interested in leaderboard competition.
“The game offers a variety of optimization options that allow players to fine-tune their experience, making it accessible for both casual and competitive gamers.”
“I appreciate how the optimization features let me customize my gameplay, ensuring that I can focus on improving my skills without unnecessary distractions.”
“The balance between challenge and optimization is well thought out, encouraging players to strategize and perfect their runs for leaderboard placements.”
