There has not been much of a “hoo-ha” with extreme sports, while national parks are being less appreciated in recent years. Therefore, Riders Republic aims to promote and pay tribute to the extreme sports scene.
Riders Republic is a proactive playground that allows players to connect, socialise, and compete with one another through various forms of extreme sports. Players can fully embrace their lunacy and go all out in doing different forms of tricks that no one will perform in real life.
SPECS
PRICE: From $74.90 (PC, version reviewed; PS4; PS5; Xbox One; Xbox Series X|S), available in Lazada and Shopee
GENRE: Extreme sports simulation
Once you enter the game, you can customise your own character (which I personally love). Next, you will be brought through a bunch of compulsory tutorials to familiarise yourself with the controls, as well as the peculiar types of extreme sports, coupled with their distinct tricks.
Diversity is one of Riders Republic’s major fortes. It boasts an array of extreme sports for you to try. The types of extreme sports you can get your hands on are BMX, Ski, Snowboard, Wingsuit, Rocket Wingsuit, and the Snowmobile. One minute you are cycling down a cliff, and the other you are paragliding above a tall rock landscape.
This is an open world game, so you are free to explore and partake in the plethora of activities they find along the way. The map consists of 7 unique regions to delve into – Mammoth Mountain, Yosemite Valley, Grand Teton, Sequoia, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Canyonlands.
Even if you don’t want to do the races or events, you can explore the whole map and indulge in the beautiful graphics the game has to offer. Sometimes, I found myself stopping at the top of a mountain to take in the amazing views on the way to my next race.
You are able to assess the different regions by opening your map. And you can use vehicles to ease exploration around the world, unless you want to walk.
In addition, the open world concept means that there are plenty of other riders will be present around you. Most of the time, there are actual connected players. And you get to wave at other players!
FOR
+ Plenty of activities to partake
+ Gives players the freedom to do whatever they want
+ Impressive diversity
+ Captures the adrenaline and thrill of extreme sports
AGAINST
– Multiplayer races might be unfair with experienced players having better gear
– Dialogues are unnecessary and cliche
If no one is around, the game fills the empty space with “social presence”. In other words, Riders Republic’s server stores players’ relevant rides and can “replay” them in your surroundings to create this “social presence”.
To level up and progress, you need to earn stars. A single star will be awarded to everyone just for completion, be it finishing in first or last. Each race has its own objectives to accomplish and executing them will result in obtaining more stars.
For the competitive players, you can challenge yourself and achieve the maximum stars in a race. However, for casual players who just want to have fun, you are free to do whatever you want in the race. After all, you will get one star just by completing any events and activity.
There are also multiplayer modes also exist in this universe, to name a few. For instance , in Tricks Battle, players will be divided into two teams – six in each – and will battle it out by performing as many tricks as possible. The team with the highest score wins.
Another multiplayer mode is Mass Races. Here, every hour will a public event occur. Players need to arrive at the location to participate in an insane 50-odd players race. During the race, players will change sports by passing through certain gates. It can get pretty insane in this mode.
As you play more races, you will get better and faster equipment. However, this may be unfair for new players as there is no ranking for multiplayer races. Therefore, you might be in races with players who have much faster equipment than you.
Not to mention, while looking through the map or just riding around, you will often be met by random, cringey, and honestly unnecessary voice over dialogues telling you to “Take a look at this” or “Slay away!”. The dialogues do not usually include anything important and the game could honestly do without it.
Thankfully, you are able to turn down the dialogue volume in the settings. So, you do not have to listen to it if you find it too annoying.
VERDICT
Riders Republic was one hell of a joy ride, literally. Ride your BMX bike uphill, or slide down a snowy slope on a snowboard, or choose to walk anywhere if you really want. The game is filled with so many activities that you will not get bored.
RATING
7.5/10
