In the vast landscape of post-apocalyptic games, Broken Roads attempts to differentiate itself with innovation and narrative depth. Developed by Drop Bear Bytes, this turn-based RPG takes players on a journey through a desolate yet captivating Australian outback, now a playground for survival, morality, and the human spirit. But can it make a splash in a crowded 2024 for gaming?
Broken Roads setting is a triumph. The Australian outback is rendered with attention to detail, creating an immersive world that feels both familiar and unnerving. Some areas are more intriguing than others, but the unique setting is actually one of main reasons I was excited to check the game out. Getting to explore somewhere that isn’t America or a fictitious lookalike is refreshing. The isometric camera also simultaneously made me feel nostalgic and impressed with the visual fidelity.
When creating your character, you’ll be asked a series of moral questions to help stat your character. Choices in the game generally revolve around four personality traits; Machiavellian, Utilitarian, Nihilist, and Humanist. You can assume a character and choose options based on one type, or do what I did and ask yourself “what would I do?” in each situation and see where it takes you. However you choose to play, the games moral compass is a real standout feature.
At its core, Broken Roads is a turn-based RPG with cover mechanics. During the introduction I found the whole system interesting and fun, but further into the game cracks started to show with some really odd not just difficulty spikes, but unwinnable fights. As in a fight would start and you’d get slapped about and beaten before even getting a turn. This led to me often trying to avoid combat and focus on the narrative, but I always had that lingering feeling that I was minimising my time with a key component of the game.
I have spoken with other friends who enjoyed the combat more than I did, so your mileage on it will vary. But I certainly appreciated how the game allows you to avoid combat in certain situations if you wish.
The narrative of Broken Roads is where the game truly shines. A rich world with complex characters, each with their own motivations and backstories. The player’s journey is filled with meaningful choices that impact the game’s world and its inhabitants. I was really impressed with the amount of characters that were given depth in the game. It went a long way to making the world feel alive.
There had been some concerns going in about the games performance after recent delays, but I didn’t experience any issues. Obviously with so many moving parts in games these days I cannot vouch for your experience, but I remained bug free with a solid frame rate.
The game’s soundtrack is another highlight, with compositions that perfectly capture the mood of the outback. The sound design is immersive, with environmental sounds that enhance the sense of desolation and isolation in the post-apocalyptic setting. There was also more voice acting than I had expected going in. It isn’t all conversations by any means, you’ll be spending a decent amount of time reading I’m afraid, but those interactions that were voiced were always done to a high standard.
VERDICT
Broken Roads is a commendable addition to the CRPG space. Combat enjoyment may vary from gamer to gamer, but with a thought-provoking narrative and standout morality system, it offers a unique experience that stands out in the crowded market. While it may have its flaws, the game’s strengths make it a journey worth taking in my opinion.
-Mark
