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Cons:
Looking back from the future, Road Redemption (2017) on PC remains the definitive arcade motorcycle combat game. It has received post-launch updates including:
While a true Road Rash remake is still a fantasy, Road Redemption accomplished something rare: it escaped the "spiritual successor curse." It is not a nostalgic museum piece. It is a functional, addictive, violent, and surprisingly deep game that understands why we loved smashing a chain into a rival’s helmet while doing 180mph.
Here is where Road Redemption diverges hardest from its predecessor. When you die—and you will die often to a stray police cruiser or a chainsaw-wielding maniac—you start over from the first level. However, you keep any "Reputation" currency earned. You spend this in the upgrade tree to unlock permanent perks, such as:
This means each run makes you slightly stronger, eventually turning your character from a novice with a stick into a Terminator on a superbike.
Road Redemption is not a perfect game, but it is a perfect time. It understands exactly what made Road Rash great and updates it for the modern era with a smart progression system. If you can look past some technical roughness and just want to blow off steam by hitting bikers with a lead pipe while going 150 mph, this is a must-play.
Final Score: 7.5/10
Released on October 4, 2017, Road Redemption is widely considered the true spiritual successor to the classic
Reviewers and players generally agree it nails the "one more go" feeling of arcade combat racing, though it suffers from some technical jank and repetitive mission structures Use a Potion! Core Gameplay & Mechanics Combat System
: The game features a robust melee system where you use wrenches, bats, and swords to knock rivals off bikes. It also introduces firearms (AK-47s, shotguns) and explosives (C4, grenade launchers), which add a chaotic modern layer to the classic formula. Roguelite Structure
: Unlike traditional racers, the campaign uses a roguelite loop. You earn XP and cash during a "run" to buy temporary upgrades. When you die, you lose run progress but can spend XP on a permanent skill tree to make future attempts easier. Mission Variety
: Objectives range from standard first-place races to "assassination" missions where you must take out specific targets or "survival" rounds against heavy police presence. The PC Experience Road Redemption -2017- PC
On PC, the game is praised for its performance, running smoothly even on older hardware like a GTX 970.
Pedal to the Metal: Why Road Redemption is the Road Rash Successor We Needed If you grew up in the 90s, the name
likely triggers a Pavlovian response of adrenaline and nostalgia. For years, fans begged for a revival of that specific brand of motorcycle-based mayhem—racing at breakneck speeds while hitting opponents with chains. In 2017, Road Redemption
finally roared out of early access on PC to answer that call. The Spiritual Successor We Deserved
Road Redemption isn't just a clone; it’s a modern evolution developed by Pixel Dash Studios
. While it captures the DNA of the original classics, it adds layers of complexity that keep it fresh for a modern audience. Brutal Combat
: You aren't just limited to clubs and chains anymore. The arsenal has expanded to include swords, battleaxes, and even firearms. Roguelike Elements
: Unlike its predecessors, Road Redemption features a procedural campaign. You earn experience to unlock permanent upgrades, making each run slightly easier than the last. High-Stakes Speed : The game pushes speeds of roughly
, forcing you to manage "Dark Souls-level" combat while navigating hairpin turns. Why It Works on PC
The PC version was the lead platform, designed from the ground up for a great experience on mouse and keyboard
, though it offers full support for gamepads. It also supports 2, 3, and 4-player splitscreen co-op
, making it one of the rare modern titles that still values local multiplayer fun. Cons: Looking back from the future, Road Redemption
The sun was setting over the desolate highway, casting a golden glow over the cracked asphalt. Jack, a former mechanic, gripped the handlebars of his trusty motorcycle, ready to take on the open road. His destination? Redemption.
Years ago, Jack was part of a notorious gang that terrorized small towns across the country. He was the getaway driver, always careful to stay one step ahead of the law. But one fateful night, a botched heist went sour, and his best friend, Alex, was killed in the crossfire. Jack was left with a deep sense of guilt and a burning need for redemption.
As he rode, Jack encountered various characters who shaped his journey. There was Sarah, a kind-hearted waitress who offered him a warm meal and words of encouragement. Then, there was Jesse, a grizzled old biker who shared tales of his own struggles and the importance of facing one's demons.
The highway stretched out before Jack like a snake, winding through mountains and valleys. With each mile, he felt the weight of his past slowly lifting. He began to see the world in a different light - the beauty of nature, the kindness of strangers, and the freedom of the open road.
But Jack's journey wasn't without its challenges. He encountered rival gangs, corrupt cops, and treacherous terrain. His skills as a driver were put to the test as he weaved through traffic, dodged bullets, and outran pursuers.
As the days turned into weeks, Jack noticed a change within himself. He was no longer the reckless, thrill-seeking driver he once was. He had a newfound sense of purpose, a desire to make amends for his past mistakes.
Finally, after weeks of riding, Jack arrived in Redemption. The small town was nestled in a valley, surrounded by rolling hills and verdant forests. He parked his motorcycle outside a quaint diner, where a sign creaked in the breeze: "Welcome to Redemption - Where the Past Meets the Present."
Inside, Jack found a community of people who had also sought redemption. There was a former convict who had turned his life around, a recovering addict who had found solace in art, and a widower who had discovered a new sense of purpose in helping others.
As Jack shared his story with the group, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. For the first time in years, he felt like he belonged. The people of Redemption welcomed him with open arms, and Jack knew he had finally found what he had been searching for all along - a chance to start anew, to make amends, and to ride off into the sunset with a clear conscience.
The game "Road Redemption" may be about high-speed action and intense combat, but Jack's story was one of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the power of human connection. As he looked out at the gathering sunset, Jack knew that no matter where the road took him next, he would always carry the lessons of Redemption with him.
Road Redemption : The Brutal Spirit of 90s Biker Combat Returns Released on October 4, 2017, for PC, Road Redemption
serves as the long-awaited spiritual successor to the iconic Road Rash series. Developed by EQ-Games and Pixel Dash Studios, it revitalizes the "motorcycle brawler" subgenre with modern mechanics, a gritty post-apocalyptic setting, and a surprising roguelite twist. Gameplay and Combat While a true Road Rash remake is still
At its core, Road Redemption is a vehicular combat racing game where victory is as much about surviving the road as it is about crossing the finish line.
The Arsenal: Players have access to classic melee weapons like baseball bats, pipes, and machetes, alongside more destructive options like grenades, C4, and firearms.
Tactical Violence: You can kick opponents into oncoming traffic, use a grappling hook to close the distance, or even use a "one-handed riding" mechanic to stay mobile while dealing damage.
Procedural Tracks: The game features a procedurally generated world, ensuring that highways and obstacles are different every time you play. The Roguelite Campaign
Unlike traditional racers, the campaign in Road Redemption incorporates roguelite elements: Road Redemption review: Asphalt abrasion | Shacknews
Every run features procedurally generated "events." You might be told to "Protect the Don" (escort a limo while killing attackers) or "Canyon Deathmatch" (a fight to the last rider in a narrow gulch). No two runs are identical, which solves the biggest criticism of old Road Rash games: memorizing corner layouts.
Road Redemption is a high-octane, combat-focused racing game developed by Pixel Dash Studios and EQ Games, and published by Tripwire Interactive. It was released for Microsoft Windows on October 4, 2017, after a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2013. Often described as a spiritual successor to the classic Road Rash series (1991–1999), the game modernizes the brutal motorcycle racing formula with procedural levels, RPG-like upgrades, and roguelite elements.
Your first job is simple: clear the Old 101 south of the collapsed Salmonberry Tunnel. The tunnel is now a checkpoint run by the Sawtooth Clan—body-armored psychos who use modified logging chainsaws as melee weapons.
You kick-start the bike. The engine screams.
The first mile is empty, haunted by the skeletons of rusted sedans. Then you hear it: a thwock-thwock-thwock of a helicopter blade. Not law enforcement—recycled.
A Sawtooth scout chopper drops a spike strip. You swerve, the rear tire skids on loose gravel, and you nearly eat the guardrail. That's when the first biker drops from a rope—a Sawtooth Juggernaut, wielding a concrete saw blade on a polearm.
He swings for your head. You duck, grab your tire iron, and hit his fuel tank. The explosion blinds the chopper's searchlight. You kick the Juggernaut's corpse off the road, slip into the tunnel's darkness, and ride blind for 90 seconds, feeling the draft of open graves on either side.
You emerge on the other side. Two Sawtooth runners flank you. One swings a bike chain. You counter—a perfect, brutal Road Redemption parry—and yank him off his seat. His partner swerves into a concrete divider. 50,000 points.
The tunnel is cleared. But your left arm is bleeding from a shard of glass. You don't stop. You can't.