R.I.P.D. The Game Review- Dead or Alive?

Game Reviewed: R.I.P.D. The Game

Release Date: July 17th, 2013

Developer: Old School Games

Publisher: ATLUS

Platform: [Reviewed: Xbox 360], PlayStation 3, PC

Genre: Action/Shooter

Rated: T for Teen

In order to earn the right to be called a badass, you got to get out there and let your guns do the talking, not your mouth. Universal Studios has pit Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges together as the partners in the afterlife, making sure the dead stay dead in their own realm. Welcome to the R.I.P.D. (Rest in Peace Department).

No seriously, welcome! Old School Games has worked alongside ATLUS and Universal Studios to create the official R.I.P.D  videogame. You play as the protagonists, Nick and Roy, taking down the repossessing “deados,” who seem willing to do anything to get their hands on gold.

Jumping into the multiplayer atmosphere you start off loaded with some cash to splurge on the weapons you desire.  One thing I found noticeably hilarious was the two final unlockable weapons, a banana and hairdryer. However, when you recall Nick’s character in the movie, to the real world the banana was quite the “tool.”

You can preload consumables (perks)  into each game giving you the upper hand when completing the respective challenges. “Hayes Rounds” for example gives your partner health everytime you shoot him while “Impound” grants you extra rounds instead of just taking them all away after each kill.

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Ready for the action? Not yet! First you’re placing your bets. Who can get the most kills or who’s dying first?  It’s a bonus system that allows you to set small wagers with friends or online competition (no local gameplay!).

Once the game begins you’re in a world of mess as you fight off waves of the undead called deados. Enemies not only have weapons of their own, but special abilities as well to look out for. Some can even help regenerate their dying comrades lifeless bodies back to its normal “dead state.”

Every so often deados will walk around shooting heavy artillery like miniguns, weapons you can pick up after killing them.  It’s not the only thing to look out for however, special challenges at times will appear.  My initial issue with attempting the challenges were the on screen HUD and notifications flooding the screen. It becomes a bit too confusing and overwhelming trying to keep up.

Nick and Roy are both cel-shaded and actually looks quite decent. That’s about it. Other than the maps themselves, everything else feels like and looks like blur as enemies move across your screen. Controls work fairly well and the likeness of the character voices were noticeable, but not implemented enough.

Trying to shoot enemies was like trying to shoot a single grape on a vine. With enemies always on the move, I found myself having to melee more than anything as the crosshairs vaguely lined up with targets. Even when the deados were still, they sometimes completely evaded the bullets  I shot at them.

Rest In Peace Department: The Game is literally a mixed bag. It has all the elements to make a great game, but it never comes close to being one. For only 800MSP, $10 on PSN and PC, it’s worth giving a chance, but I’d probably recommend playing the demo first.

The Scores

Gameplay: 3/5

Visuals: 3/5

Audio: 3/5

Controls: 4/5

Value: 2.5/5

Overall Rating: 3/5