Tonight We Riot
- May 6, 2020
- Means Interactive
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Tonight We Riot" is a classic arcade-style game with a political twist. You lead a crowd of protesters in a quest to overthrow an oppressive government through strategic teamwork and destruction of enemy property. The game features pixel art graphics and a synth-punk soundtrack, with multiple endings based on your choices during gameplay.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Linux
Xbox
Reviews
- Fun and engaging gameplay that combines classic beat-em-up mechanics with a unique crowd control system.
- Strong political message that resonates with current social issues, making it a refreshing addition to the gaming landscape.
- Great pixel art and an excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Controls can feel clunky and imprecise, making it difficult to aim and throw projectiles accurately.
- The game is relatively short, with many players finishing it in just a few hours, leading to concerns about its value for the price.
- Some players found the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth, with limited variety in challenges and enemy encounters.
- gameplay86 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it enjoyable and unique due to its crowd mechanics and engaging brawler elements, while others criticize it for being repetitive and having janky controls. Many appreciate the game's political themes and aesthetics, noting that the mechanics, though simple, can be satisfying and fun, especially when played cooperatively. Overall, while the gameplay offers a fresh take on the genre, it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those looking for more depth or polish.
“Not only is the gameplay very interesting and enjoyable, but the unapologetic leftist view it has towards direct action and revolution is refreshing in a sea of games that criticize capitalism but fail to promote alternatives.”
“While on the surface the game seems like a simple sidescroller, the gameplay has a bit more to it thanks to its crowd mechanics. You're incentivized to care about your AI collective as they give you power and health.”
“The gameplay is simple, straightforward, and fun. The 8-bit style graphics are wonderfully nostalgic, and how can I not love a game about a socialist revolution?”
“I really wanted to like this game and I love the idea, but the gameplay is just lacking.”
“Janky controls, repetitive gameplay (literally spam your mouse button and beat the baddies), and mediocre graphics and music really don't save this game.”
“It's fun, but it's only got a few hours of pretty repetitive gameplay.”
- music54 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its catchy, energetic, and atmospheric qualities that enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack is often described as a standout feature, blending well with the game's art style and gameplay, and is compared favorably to iconic soundtracks like that of "Hotline Miami." While some players found the music to be a highlight, a few expressed mixed feelings, indicating that personal taste may vary.
“The soundtrack is arguably the best part of the game.”
“The music is raw, brutalist, and atmospheric; there's a variety of environments and level designs, and the crowd control dynamic makes the game more interesting than your standard retro beat-em-up.”
“It's got gorgeous pixel art visuals that's not too cluttered in gameplay and striking in cutscenes, the music is nothing but bangers, and the gameplay while somewhat simplistic is compelling.”
“The music in level 7 made me uninstall it.”
“The soundtrack is obviously aiming to be something like Hotline Miami's, but it just sounds like a mess.”
“Janky controls, repetitive (literally spam your mouse button and beat the baddies) and frustrating gameplay and mediocre graphics and music really don't save this game.”
- graphics36 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their charming 8-bit art style, which evokes nostalgia and complements the game's themes effectively. Many reviewers appreciate the inviting aesthetics and the integration of music with visuals, while some criticize the simplicity and occasional graphical bugs. Overall, the visuals are seen as a strong point, contributing to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere.
“I love the ethos and art style of this game.”
“The art style is explicitly dystopian, rugged, and retro, and the soundtrack makes me wish there was an extended version available.”
“It's got gorgeous pixel art visuals that's not too cluttered in gameplay and striking in cutscenes, the music is nothing but bangers, and the gameplay while somewhat simplistic is compelling.”
“Janky controls, repetitive (literally spam your mouse button and beat the baddies) and frustrating gameplay, and mediocre graphics and music really don't save this game.”
“The pixel graphics are beyond lazy, and you can tell the 8-bit style is a real crutch here, and it's being leaned on hard.”
“Wish I could like the game, but at its current price, it's a 5€ game mechanics with 15€ graphics production value.”
- humor22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of leftist satire, clever quips, and playful references, appealing particularly to those with a similar political leaning. While many players find the writing and dialogue hilarious, some critique it for being overly self-aware or not always contextually coherent. Overall, the game balances its serious themes with light-hearted moments, making it a fun and engaging experience.
“The various quips, jokes, and item descriptions were pretty funny to me, but maybe that's just my sense of humor.”
“Ppu512 and Means TV (both of which are worker cooperatives, by the way) did an astounding job, especially incorporating humor and Easter eggs into the gameplay and story, all while keeping the story's very real and serious undertones and theme.”
“The writing is funny and on-the-nose; it pulls no punches, it's leftist, and it's proud of it.”
- story18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and well-integrated into the gameplay, while others feel it may not appeal to everyone. Many appreciate the serious themes of social justice and inequality, enhanced by humor and easter eggs, though some desire a longer narrative experience. Overall, the storyline is seen as a strong complement to the game's fun and challenging mechanics.
“Fantastic setting and storytelling with addicting gameplay.”
“Ppu512 and Means TV (both of which are worker cooperatives, by the way) did an astounding job, especially incorporating humor and Easter eggs into the gameplay and story while keeping the story's very real and serious undertones and theme.”
“The story is indicative of not only America's police state, but the global inequality of capital.”
“The story is indicative of not only America's police state, but the global inequality of capital.”
“As for its story, 'Tonight We Riot' also presented a simplistic view.”
“There is no real 'main character' as the protagonist of the story is the workers themselves.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 92 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability through its multiplayer mode, endless mode, and unlockable gear that encourages players to revisit levels for better performance and achievements. While some players feel the game could benefit from additional content, the unique design of each level and the challenge of completing them with minimal worker casualties provide ample incentive for repeated play. Overall, the combination of fun gameplay, cooperative options, and various unlocks contributes to a satisfying replay experience.
“The multiplayer adds more replayability along with endless mode.”
“The unlockable gear for completing levels with as few worker casualties as possible incentivizes some nice replay value and makes you think about how to tackle obstacles in slightly less pyrrhic fashion.”
“Endless mode adds some extra length and it seems pretty replayable to unlock all of the riot gear/items.”
“While the game was long enough to be enjoyable and worthwhile, I would've liked a little bit more content. The game has 4 areas, each with 4 levels and a boss. It took me only an hour and a half to get to the boss of area 3, roughly 4 hours total to finish the game because I was going for 100% (all achievements, which means a few secrets and getting the top ranking on every level). I spent around an hour playing the permanent revolution (a single map survival mode). Maybe 1 or 2 more areas would’ve helped, but each level is unique enough to carry some replay value.”
“I think setting a higher bar to get 3/3 on a lot of the levels would give the game a lot more replayability.”
“Endless mode adds some extra length and it seems pretty replayable to unlock all of the riot gear/items.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be time-consuming and tedious, particularly for those not accustomed to combat-heavy mechanics. While some completed the game in around six hours, they noted that extensive grinding may require a significant investment of time, especially for weapon switching.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding in this game is both rewarding and addictive.”
“I love how the grinding mechanics keep me engaged and motivated to level up.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I beat the game in 6 hours, but I'm certainly unfamiliar with scroll/combat heavy games, as I'm more of a life sim and farming gamer.”
“Weapon switching was kind of tedious for me.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Tonight We Riot" is centered around the desire for catharsis, as players engage with themes of inequity and injustice while advocating for democratic and nonviolent solutions. The game is perceived as a source of good wholesome fun, providing an emotional outlet for addressing serious societal issues.
“The commentary at the end suggests that they created 'Tonight We Riot' for emotional catharsis and would prefer democratic and nonviolent solutions to the world's problems of inequity and injustice.”
“This game evokes a deep emotional response, making players reflect on societal issues.”
“The narrative is powerful and resonates with personal experiences, leaving a lasting impact.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its raw and brutalist music, complemented by diverse environments and level designs. The inclusion of crowd control dynamics enhances the experience, setting it apart from typical retro beat-em-ups.
“The music is raw, brutalist, and atmospheric. There's a variety of environments and level designs, and the crowd control dynamic makes the game more interesting than your standard retro beat 'em up.”
“The immersive atmosphere draws you in, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
“The combination of stunning visuals and haunting soundscapes creates a unique ambiance that enhances the overall experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization focuses on a unique scoring system that prioritizes saving allies over traditional metrics like enemy defeats or completion time, aligning with its overall philosophy and approach to gameplay difficulty.
“The game scores your performance solely on the number of allies you save, rather than the enemies defeated or the time taken, which aligns with the game's philosophy over the typical metrics of game difficulty.”
“The optimization mechanics encourage players to think strategically about resource management and ally preservation, making each decision impactful.”
“The game's design rewards players for optimizing their approach, fostering a deeper engagement with the gameplay and enhancing the overall experience.”
“The game scores your performance solely on the number of allies you save, rather than the enemies defeated or the time taken, which aligns with the game's philosophy but feels limiting in terms of optimization.”
“The optimization in this game is frustratingly poor, leading to a lack of meaningful choices and strategies.”
“I found the optimization mechanics to be counterintuitive, making it difficult to improve my gameplay experience.”
