[Dual Analysis] Assessment of Turbo Overkill

Turbo Overkill has finally arrived on consoles thanks to the collaboration between Apogee Entertainment and Trigger Happy Interactive. Known for its exhilarating and mature-rated run-and-gun action, this first-person shooter holds a reputation for pushing boundaries. Today, we’re going to delve deeper into the world of Turbo Overkill and see what makes it stand out.

In a cooperative effort, both Ceidz and EdEN have taken Turbo Overkill for a spin on the PlayStation and the Nintendo Switch, sharing their insights and experiences with this impressive title.

When you think of Turbo Overkill, think of breathtaking cyberpunk aesthetics combined with ferocity unlike anything else Apogee has delivered. You step into the shoes of Johnny Turbo, a heavily modified bounty hunter equipped with rocket-firing arms and a chainsaw blade jutting out from his leg. Johnny’s journey brings him back to Paradise, a city now overwhelmed by Syn, an insidious AI with a legion of altered followers under its control. Desperate to escape his history, Johnny takes on the fearless mission of destroying the strongest AI ever conceived, all the while dealing with rival bounty hunters that have their sights set on the same prize. Life in Paradise, as you’ll find, is anything but easy.

As a longtime aficionado of classic first-person shooters, I was eager to see what this game had in store for Nintendo Switch users. Debuting initially on Steam in 2023, Turbo Overkill jumps onto Switch to introduce Johnny Turbo and his arsenal of armament, including the fierce chainsaw-leg combo.

Returning to Paradise, Johnny is confronted with a surprising nightmare. Syn has infected the city with a pandemic-like spread of chaos, turning inhabitants into mindless minions. Your task: confront and defeat these adversaries to ultimately dismantle Syn’s hold over Paradise.

Navigating Turbo Overkill, you’ll use the left analog stick to guide Johnny, while the right takes charge of aiming. Weaponry and abilities become second nature with the intuitive control scheme. Jump and double-jump with the B button, dash using R, and manipulate physics with a grapple hook from the X button. Engage in fierce chainsaw slides with L, and let loose your arsenal using primary fire on ZR and secondary on ZL. A handy weapon wheel, accessible via the D-Pad, allows seamless transitions between your collected gear. Engage Turbo-Time for a temporal advantage by pressing the right stick for a satisfying combat rhythm.

At its core, Turbo Overkill offers a straightforward yet rewarding gameplay loop: mow down adversaries to earn cash, use it to enhance your equipment and skills, and dispatch bosses to claim their augments—rinse and repeat for hours of explosive fun.

In addition to the story-driven Campaign Mode, the game features an Arcade Mode for straightforward action and an Endless Mode to test players’ limits. Each mode offers its own flavor of entertainment, ensuring prolonged engagement.

Starting out in the game is nothing short of exhilarating. Right from the initial cutscene, the action never lets up. The opening tutorial drops players straight into the deep end, filled with blood, gore, and relentless foes. The game’s controls are smooth and responsive, enhancing the pleasure of chaining combos and acrobatics with your leg-saw. A minor grievance is the lack of a Circle button menu navigation, which goes against PlayStation conventions.

Turbo Overkill accommodates a variety of playstyles with five difficulty settings. Whether a novice or veteran, there’s a mode for every player. The challenge ranges from “Virgin Blood,” an easier entry level, to “Murder Machine,” a brutal test of skill, each adjusting enemy aggressiveness and rewards scaling.

The game boasts a nostalgic presentation, its visuals reminiscent of a modern retro fusion featuring high-detail models and pixelated textures from classics like Doom. Its vibrant and dynamic feel pairs with a high framerate for seamless, fast-paced action. There’s an odd familiarity to the character’s low perspective, which might take a little getting used to.

Competitive players will appreciate the robust trophy list, featuring a coveted Platinum. Earning these trophies will require persistence as you work through the campaigns, master each difficulty, and seek out every secret.

For those who relish in the chaotic fun of 90s shooters, Turbo Overkill is a triumphant homage to the era. It stands out with an insane degree of action-packed enjoyment and relentless shooter gameplay—a worthy addition to the genre’s lineage.

Although the Switch version compromises a bit on resolution to maintain performance, and has slightly longer load times compared to its PlayStation 5 counterpart, it still offers an engaging experience. If you opt for the Cross-Buy package on Sony’s hardware, both PS4 and PS5 versions come included for $19.99—delivering value across platforms.

This review of Turbo Overkill is based on PS5 and Switch versions provided by Apogee Entertainment.