Cast your mind all the way back to 2014, and you'll likely recall the launch of Xbox exclusive Sunset Overdrive which ended up proving one of the most important titles of the early Xbox One era, and it remains beloved to this day!
We've still got a few months to go, but October marks the 10-year anniversary of this Insomniac Games title, with the developer having since moved on to work on the Marvel's Spider-Man games for PlayStation. It was assumed that Sunset Overdrive might make its way to other platforms eventually, but that hasn't happened as of yet.
So, this one remains rooted to Xbox and PC (along with Game Pass) for now, and it seems like plenty of people are still discovering it for the first time. In fact, our very own Pure Xbox Game Club decided to play it back in February, and it resulted in some very interesting impressions - an example of which you can read below:
NintendoByNature on Pure Xbox: "Just rolled the credits. The beginning of the game was rather cumbersome to get used to. But once I got the hang of it, I loved nothing more than grinding and blasting my way through enemies and traversing through the city. The humor was spot on, the characters were fun and engaging, the story was decent enough, and the combat /gameplay was really what makes this game shine. It really grew on me after a few hours. Very happy I finally gave this game a shot. I can see why it was a highlight for the XBO era."
Sunset Overdrive has arguably aged in some ways (after all, it is 10 years old!), yet it still regularly crops up in lists of the most underrated Xbox games to date. That's perhaps because it came out during a time when the Xbox One was really struggling, and ultimately a lot of people didn't get a chance to enjoy it during the XB1 era.
It's certainly not because of the reviews, anyway. Sunset Overdrive has a very decent 81 score over on Metacritic that feels pretty fair in our opinion, and Pure Xbox's previous incarnation even gave it an "Excellent" 9/10 back in the day!
However you feel about this one, there's no doubt that many fans still see it as a beloved Xbox exclusive almost 10 years since its debut, and it's an example of something really special that came out of the early Xbox One generation.
What Do You Think Of Sunset Overdrive? (233 votes)
- It's amazing, I absolutely love it!
- It's pretty good, definitely enjoyable
- It's alright, not bad
- It's OK, but I don't get the hype really
- I didn't like it to be honest!
- Actually... I still haven't played it yet...
What are your thoughts on Sunset Overdrive as it turns 10 years old? Let us know in the comments.
Comments 23
Loved the game and bought it
Did they ever add multiple save spots? I hated that one save per account thing when it launched.
One of the best games of the past decade, easily. You're missing out, even today.
How cool would it be if they made a sequel and announced it at the summer showcase.
I played it for the first time two years ago but finished it last year what a fun little game very chaotic Is how I would describe it
Was a great game in the Xbox ones days and really enjoyed.
This is why I wish Xbox was still Xbox, as we would get a few great third party AAA xbox exclusives, tomb raider was another one in the Xbox one era and we all know we had plenty in the xbox360 era, mass effect, anyone.
I keep forgetting Sunset Overdrive exists, and every time I'm reminded it exists, I think "I really should get around to playing that", because Insomniac rarely misses the mark, so I'll probably love it.
Then I forget it exists again. I'm awful.
I played it and completed everything in the 'main' game and quite enjoyed it. I was initially put off by the description and its very cartoony aspects but once I started playing and got to grips with the Mechanics, I couldn't stop playing.
I wouldn't say it was 'Amazing', but I would say its probably one of, if not the most under-rated exclusive on the XB1. I also think its probably Insomniacs most creative game too...
@NintendoByNature Man… I wish we existed in the a different timeline where Insomniac Games wasn’t owned by Sony, and was stuck in Marvel Game mine pits.
To everyone that voted didn't play it. Oh my. Absolutely get on it. Think is on game pass?
@NintendoByNature Sony owns the IP.
@BacklogBrad Nope. No additional save spot and no way to start the game over other than deleting your console save. You can replay missions but they are listed in alphabetical order and not in any sense of story continuity. It's really the only thing that drags down this game for me. Otherwise I absolutely love it. Clearly so, as it's my icon here on PureXbox.
I am playing it for the first time right now! I didn’t have an Xbox in 2014, so when I got one it was one of the games I wanted to get around to.
It is chaotic fun! I am a few missions from rolling credits. The story and quest design aren’t going to win any awards, but the guns and traversal are delightful.
Another shame is that they've pulled out the in-game TVs that loaded different videos from their community manager doing weekly updates, of which I'll just say totally relate to the endgame...
Before Insomniac became obsessed with Marvel 🥲 unfortunately all they will be making now is Marvel Super heroe games so there's 0 chance of a sequel, remake or remaster.
I'm honestly surprised this hasn't made its way over to Playstation yet.
Its 10 years old at this year's end.
Shame Xbox fans didn't buy and support it. Imagine that. Imagine Insomniac Games, announcing that they are making an exclusive game for your brand new, upcoming, Xbox console. THAT'S what happened in the build up and the first year of launch of Xbone.
And people claim IT was the worst Xbox console when series s and x are tracking worse sales at the same time in Xb1's life.
Can you even imagine something like that happening today? Again, INSOMNIAC GAMES MAKING AN EXCLUSIVE GAME FOR YOU!!! Xbox fans dropped the ball SO HARD back then. That was the final push Insomniac needed to finally give in and go with Sony going forward.
@Tecinthehead Pure lies. The big leak shows that a new Ratchet and Clank game will be coming down the line. So, no need for utter lies, thanks.
Still hold up? It’s still better than 95% of the games released these days. An absolutely brilliant game that is just as fun to play today as it was the year it released. Would absolutely kill for a sequel.
@andrewsqual
You can point that criticism right back at Sony and its fans too. Sony exclusives aren’t seeing anywhere near the sales they need, which is why Sony is now pushing PC releases and will be doing so faster and faster. Hell, the best exclusive I have played on my PS5 to date has been Returnal. That had absolutely abysmal sales and likely won’t see a sequel as a result. That’s criminal given how good that game is. Very much like what happened with Sunset Overdrive, tho Sony has a bigger installed base so even less of an excuse for not hitting sales goals for great exclusive games.
And when people refer to Xbox One as the worst Xbox console, they are not talking about sales. It was severely underpowered. From a technical standpoint, the Series consoles are vastly superior. Xbox One was the worst designed Xbox to date, tho they corrected that with an outstanding mid generation refresh with the Xbox One X.
@ShadowofTwilight really? Kind of odd playstation never put it out then. That's too bad, I'd love a sequel on xbox.
@AverageGamer tell me about it. I did like miles morales personally. Haven't played the other 2 spiderman games yet.
@NintendoByNature
Sony own the IP but Microsoft own the publishing rights.
The game is only on Xbox because Insomniac wanted to keep the IP and only Microsoft allowed that.
its ok but nothing special in my opinion, i dont get the hype about it.
Never had an X1, but my friend was all about the game. Istill haven't played the game...but bought it used last year (along with Recore and Ryse), so plan to play at some point.
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