Tonight We Riot
- May 6, 2020
- Means Interactive
- 8h median play time
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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
- The game features a fun and engaging gameplay style that combines classic beat-em-up mechanics with a unique crowd control element.
- It has a strong political message that resonates with players who appreciate its anti-capitalist themes and humor.
- The pixel art and soundtrack are well-crafted, adding to the overall enjoyable experience of the game.
- The 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 replayability.
- Some players found the AI of the worker characters to be frustrating, as they often acted unpredictably and could lead to unnecessary casualties.
- gameplay94 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Tonight We Riot" has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its unique crowd mechanics and engaging beat 'em up style, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking polish. Many appreciate the game's political themes and aesthetics, noting that the mechanics can be satisfying despite some frustrations with controls and level length. Overall, while the gameplay is seen as fun and innovative, it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking a more refined experience.
“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. The bigger your crowd, the stronger you are, as they'll throw projectiles in unison with you and act as your lives system.”
“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 (literally spam your mouse button and beat the baddies) and frustrating gameplay, 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.”
- music59 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its energetic and catchy soundtrack, often described as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. Many players appreciate the blend of retro and modern styles, with some comparing it favorably to iconic soundtracks like that of Hotline Miami. However, a few reviews mention inconsistencies in sound design, particularly between the music and sound effects, which can detract from the experience for some players.
“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.”
“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.”
“Music is nothing worth writing home about, the dialogue flows between leftbook meme-ry and outdated cringe (with some diamonds in the rough in-between), characterization is barely a thing.”
“The soundtrack is obviously aiming to be something like Hotline Miami's, but it just sounds like a mess.”
- graphics38 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 8 % 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 cute and inviting aesthetics, along with the strong soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. However, some criticisms arise regarding the simplicity and occasional mediocrity of the visuals, suggesting that while the art style is enjoyable, it may not meet higher production standards.
“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.”
“It's a shorter game with worse graphics made by people who were paid more to work less and I'm not complaining.”
“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.”
- 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 as funny as it intends to be. Overall, the game balances its comedic elements with serious themes, creating a light-hearted yet thought-provoking 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.”
- story19 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging narrative and meaningful themes related to social justice and inequality, while others find it simplistic or lacking depth. Many appreciate the humor and easter eggs woven into the gameplay, though some express a desire for a more developed storyline. Overall, the story resonates well with those who connect with its serious undertones and the cooperative spirit of the characters.
“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.”
“Fun + challenging gameplay, great story/message, awesome all around.”
“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.”
“So it's like the assets are there, but used for memes, and it's like an unfinished beta, or all the filler missions of a game to pad things out, rather than the actual game.”
- replayability13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game offers a decent level of replayability, particularly through its multiplayer mode, endless mode, and unlockable items that encourage players to revisit levels for better performance and achievements. While some players feel the game could benefit from additional content to enhance replay value, the unique design of each level and the challenge of completing them with minimal worker casualties provide enough incentive for repeated play. Overall, the combination of fun gameplay, cooperative options, and unlockable gear contributes to a satisfying replay experience, though opinions vary on its overall depth.
“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). 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.”
“There's no replayability here.”
- 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 gameplay. Some users suggest that extensive grinding may require a significant time investment, likening it to needing a "second life" to fully engage with the game's mechanics.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“That being said, weapon switching (for me at least) was kind of tedious.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Tonight We Riot" is centered around the desire for catharsis in addressing themes of inequity and injustice, with a preference for democratic and nonviolent solutions. Players find the experience to be both engaging and uplifting, describing it as "good wholesome fun."
“The commentary at the end suggests they made '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 their own values and beliefs.”
“The narrative is powerful and resonates with real-world issues, creating a strong emotional connection with the characters.”
- 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 a crowd control dynamic 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.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is criticized for its lack of nuance and realism, particularly in the interactions between revolutionaries and police, which detracts from the overall experience.
“It lacks nuance, character development, or semi-realistic interactions between revolutionaries and police, which kind of kills it for me.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % 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 difficulty.
“The game also scores your performance solely on the number of allies you save, rather than enemies defeated or time taken, which aligns with the game's philosophy over the typical metrics of game difficulty.”
“The game scores your performance solely on the number of allies you save, rather than enemies defeated or time taken, which seems to align with the game's philosophy rather than the typical metrics of game difficulty.”
“The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.”
“I encountered numerous performance issues that hindered my ability to enjoy the game fully.”
