What is our fascination with post-apocalyptic media? Maybe it’s the fear of the unknown, in that things may actually be that dire one day, and a peek into the future is relatively harmless. Maybe it’s because some of the greatest filmmakers of our time, including George Miller, flock to projects like that because they provide a blank canvas of expectations — the world is theirs to create as they see fit. Chrome Death (Free) isn’t necessarily that magnificent, but just like Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon on PC and consoles, it really nails what makes that genre so special.
Think of Chrome Death like an endless racer. Players are tasked with “escaping the city" (maybe New York or LA?), which is done in a very straightforward fashion — vehicles. You’ll automatically race down a highway which then splits into multiple paths, and it’s up to you to swipe the correct direction and avoid barricades and other hazards. This is all happening very quickly so there isn’t much time to think, and those of you with swift reflexes will really thrive. Tapping too soon will result in a worse turn rating, and too late will blow up your car, resulting in an instant death. You’re rewarded with a slick drift animation with each successive turn.
The kicker? It’s really, really hard. Even on normal mode (yes there’s even an “expert" mode if you’re up for it) the game is brutal. Turns need to be taken within seconds of another on a dime, and one screw up will send you packing to the beginning of a run. The controls need to be precise in that case, which they are, thankfully, though I do have a slight issue with how they’re presented. It’s intuitive to want to slide in a direction, but Chrome instead forces players to tap a specific area of the screen. it’s not impossible to get used to but multiple control schemes would have been appreciated. More landscapes would have been great too, as the feeling of deja vu sets in a little quickly even after just several hours of play. Like Outrun, escaping to a new zone more often would really kick it up a notch, almost like an RPG of sorts.
The game’s visual style reminds me of so many grimdark cop movies of the past, and the designers really nail it there. It’s not overly dark, mind, as the action pops off the screen, but there’s just enough to remind people how dire the situation is within the confines of the game’s world. I would often die just looking at pieces of the game’s world while driving by, almost like it’s telling its own story of how the universe turned out. It’s hard to describe, but there’s a VHS-like feeling to it. Having recently watched Turbo Kid this scratched that itch very nicely. In fact, I even searched out the soundtrack (which is available on Bandcamp), which I rarely, if ever do for a game like this.
Chrome Death‘s IAP is very fair, especially since it’s a free ad supported game. While the earn rate is sort of slow, which in turn funnels you into the $2.99 coin doubler (in the form of a “Hoverboard Driver"), it’s not appallingly so, and the ads aren’t too intrusive. Chrome Death also allows players an opportunity to occasionally watch a video and earn double credits on 10 runs. That’s about it — no energy or other nonsense to juggle with.
There’s also a few extras like leaderboards and global goals to work towards (like overall crashes and overtaking opponents), which unlock new vehicles. It also keeps track of your total crashes, which is a stark reminder of how tough it is out there in the wasteland, and provides daily challenges to keep you hooked. For a game about turning corners constantly there’s a decent amount packed in.
It’s a bit of a one-trick pony, but it does that trick very well. With a ton of visual flair and a rocking soundtrack, it’s easy to get hypnotized by Chrome Death. I’m definitely saving it for a rainy day in the future, and the occasional unlock is a decent way to keep me interested. I’d like to see a fully fleshed adventure one day though with the same engine, as this concept can be so much more.
