If you like games like Burnout and Road Redemption, then Redline Crooks might scratch an itch you forgot you had.

Like the aforementioned titles, Redline Crooks allows you to play safely, but it strongly incentivizes wanton destruction. You will be rewarded for finishing levels quickly, but also for destroying as many other vehicles as possible. Since you get more boost and money for playing aggressively, the two goals often go hand in hand. As you destroy more enemies, the game scales the difficulty, increasing enemy spawns and variants.

As a player, you are constantly determining if now is the time for carnage or caution. Coupled with the ability to boost through walls at the cost of HP, the game presents interesting decisions for you to navigate. You can also taunt enemies which makes enemies behind you boost uncontrollably. This may be the most fun taunt in any game. The game's risk-reward axis is elegant but not overwhelming. You will not find yourself pausing the game to think. It is a high-octane festival of utter chaos, and the moment-to-moment risks and payoffs make the game more engaging than most.

The gameplay is responsive and deeply satisfying. The hitstun is *fantastic* and also provides a quick second to observe the carnage and overall situation (your HP, other enemies, etc.). The character variety is solid, but some characters seem better than others. The developer has already released a balance patch, and I believe they will continue to monitor game balance. The items in the game are also fantastic. There are meteors, lasers, freezing AOEs, conditional speed boosts, etc. Further, if you don't like shop items, you can upgrade your car's stats. Although there could be more items in the game, the ones in the game are impactful, and the car upgrade system gives the player some agency in determining their build. I'd be happy to see an item pack DLC, but it's not necessary. The game is a complete package in its existing state.

This is a very good "coffee break" game. Despite the high-stakes gameplay, the game is both appealing and easy to pick up and play. Runs last 5 to 20 minutes, and there are also daily/weekly runs with leaderboards. It's a solid game when you don't know what to play. I never regret booting it up!

This is one of those "hidden indie gems," much as the phrase has been overused. Download the demo and you will know rather quickly that $12 is a bargain for this happy brain chemical simulator.

Pretty fun destruction-derby style arcade driving game. The concept is simple: drive a car real fast and blow up stuff. More destruction earns you more cash which you can spend on upgrades to let you blow up stuff more. Barrel your way into a convoy of police cars and revel in the 3-second long hit-stop explosion chain.

Redline Crooks is a fantastic arcade roguelite

Read my thoughts --> https://rogueliker.com/redline-crooks-review/