Tornado: Research and Rescue

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 201 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Tornado: Research and Rescue Game Cover
Starting at $12.99Buy now
Get on Steam

"Tornado: Research and Rescue" is a nostalgic simulation game that takes you back to the 90s, where you chase and collect data from tornadoes using vintage equipment. Experience fast-paced action and rescue missions, navigating treacherous terrain and warning people in the tornado's path. Sell collected data to upgrade your vehicle and continue your thrilling tornado research.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 201 reviews
graphics7 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique and fun storm chasing experience, allowing players to set up probes and interact with tornadoes in an engaging way.
  • The 90s aesthetic and VHS-style interface create a nostalgic atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • The developer is actively updating the game and engaging with the community, showing promise for future improvements and additional content.
  • The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, including clunky driving mechanics and graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience.
  • There is a lack of content and depth, leading to repetitive gameplay and limited replayability once players have chased a few tornadoes.
  • The absence of a tutorial or clear instructions makes it difficult for new players to understand the mechanics and objectives, resulting in a frustrating learning curve.
  • graphics31 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a distinct 90s aesthetic that some find charming, while others criticize the visuals as outdated and reminiscent of early gaming graphics. Despite some impressive tornado effects, players report significant graphical bugs and performance issues, suggesting that the game feels more like a small-scale project with rudimentary visuals. Overall, while the aesthetic has its fans, there is a consensus that improvements are needed to enhance the graphical fidelity and stability.

    • “The aesthetic style is beautiful and just... wow.”
    • “The 1990s VHS aesthetic is amazing and makes some of the tornadoes look good.”
    • “Unlike most storm chasing games, this one feels more grandiose with its 90's style aesthetic, and massive feeling tornadoes.”
    • “On the minus side, you can tell that this is a very small project: it has that 'mobile game' look to its graphics, and unfortunately a lot of things on it are a bit raw and rudimentary looking, while the game world (aside from the weather) feels rather dead and artificial at the moment.”
    • “Graphics look like they are from 1980, yet my computer has a hard time with the frame rate.”
    • “Note: I won't talk about graphics because it's godawful, I'm sure the developers are aware of that but they seem more focused on mechanics than graphics; hopefully the look of the game is next on their list.”
  • gameplay17 mentions

    The gameplay is described as solid yet repetitive, with a fun core experience centered around tornadoes, but marred by bugs and unsatisfying driving mechanics. Many players find the gameplay loop grindy and lacking in variety, particularly in an early access context, leading to mixed feelings about its overall quality. While visually impressive, the game could benefit from improved mechanics and more engaging challenges.

    • “Adding these real-life mechanics (even if just cosmetic) could go a long way to improving the game quality.”
    • “Pros: visually impressive and aesthetically pleasing, fun core gameplay, epic destruction.”
    • “- Gameplay can be fun, especially when you are attempting to run away from tornadoes.”
    • “However, those moments quickly get eclipsed by a litany of bugs or lack of basic meteorological mechanics in cloud formation and wind patterns.”
    • “In all seriousness, it's an early access title, it's a little heavy on hardware and could use some more graphics options, and the gameplay loop is fairly dry and grindy.”
    • “To say the least, the gameplay cycle is really repetitive (though I guess that's what you get with most tornado games) and similar to another Steam game, Storm Chasers.”
  • story12 mentions

    The game lacks a traditional narrative, focusing instead on a gameplay loop centered around intercepting tornadoes to collect data and complete missions for upgrades. Players expressed frustration with the mechanics, particularly the requirement to select missions before deploying probes, which detracts from the overall experience. Suggestions for improvement include allowing data collection at any time and making timed missions optional bonuses.

    • “Your two methods of earning money for upgrades are either completing timed missions to collect specific amounts of windspeed data within a strict time limit, or saving people's lives by manually triggering a town's tornado siren when they're under imminent danger of being directly hit.”
    • “Personally, I feel like it would make more sense if you were allowed to deploy your probe to collect data at will and then cash in a requested amount of samples when you have them, and maybe have the timed missions be a special bonus.”
    • “The game is basically themed on the plot of Twister, where you're trying to intercept the path of a tornado and place your Dorothy/Toto-like probe in its path to collect samples per your contracts, make money, and upgrade your equipment, which badly needs it when you're first starting.”
    • “The most frustrating part of my first playthrough was getting killed because I was trying to place a probe and had to run back to the truck just to get a mission.”
    • “I think it would be much less annoying to be able to collect data, then be able to upload the data for the different missions, or collect data, but it won't count towards a mission unless you have selected one.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    Overall, user feedback on optimization is mixed; while some players report excellent performance with stable frame rates, others express concerns about the need for better optimization, particularly for lower-end systems and controller support. There are hopes for future updates to address these issues.

    • “I found the game to look beautiful and act like a good storm chasing game with a purpose, unlike other games. However, I hope that with future updates, the developers introduce a performance mode for lower-end computers.”
    • “If anything, the game needs to be better optimized.”
    • “Good optimizations, constant 200 fps.”
    • “Lack of content, lack of updates, lack of optimization.”
    • “If anything though, the game needs to be better optimized.”
    • “I can confirm this game does work on Steam Deck, but you'll have to configure the controls to your liking since the game isn't optimized for controller yet.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is described as a compelling mix of spooky and grim elements, effectively capturing the tension of storm chasing with dark, menacing tornadoes. However, some users note that the atmospheric effects, particularly the blending of clouds, can be inconsistent, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game's early stages show promise in creating an engaging and immersive environment.

    • “Early stage gem of a storm chasing game, a bit spooky like others have said with the eerie and grim atmosphere and dark menacing tornadoes.”
    • “- atmosphere is great”
    • “This in itself puts the player/chaser at a disadvantage since there are minimal tools, readings, and forecasts to rely upon to place you in a general vicinity for direct observation of the atmosphere.”
    • “Early stage gem of a storm chasing game, a bit spooky like others have said with the eerie and grim atmosphere and dark, menacing tornadoes.”
    • “The atmosphere and clouds don't blend well most times.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often describing it as a major detractor from the overall experience. The gameplay loop is perceived as dry, leading to boredom once players reach a certain point, and many feel that significant grinding is required to progress.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “In all seriousness, it's an early access title, it's a little heavy on hardware and could use some more graphics options, and the gameplay loop is fairly dry and grindy.”
    • “Once you reach that point, the game becomes boring; the only challenging part of the upgrades is that it's tedious and you have to grind a lot to get there.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game exhibits some stability issues, with users reporting numerous bugs and glitches; however, the developer, Sam, is actively working on fixes.

    • “Yes, but it's a bit buggy.”
    • “There are lots of bugs and glitches, which is to be expected, and Sam is actively fixing them.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Users find the emotional aspect of the game compelling, particularly appreciating the dramatic visuals of storms and their impact on the environment, which evoke a sense of awe and excitement.

  • replayability1 mentions

    The game's replayability is somewhat hindered by initial control quirks and minor graphical issues, particularly at ultra/super ultra wide resolutions, though players anticipate these will be resolved in future updates.

  • music1 mentions

    The lack of menu sounds and music, combined with a minimalistic interface featuring only three options, creates an off-putting experience for players, detracting from the overall atmosphere of the game.

    • “Having zero menu sounds or music, the VHS effect, and only 'start, reset progress, quit' as the three options before accessing game settings is a bit off-putting.”
    • “The lack of background music during gameplay makes the experience feel empty and unengaging.”
    • “The music tracks are repetitive and quickly become annoying, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Tornado: Research and Rescue

Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games