[Dual Perspective] Turbo Overkill: A Comprehensive Review

Turbo Overkill, crafted by Apogee Entertainment and Trigger Happy Interactive, has sprinted onto consoles, offering a high-octane, Mature-rated FPS experience. Let’s dive into our review of Turbo Overkill!

This review brings together insights from both Ceidz and EdEN, who explored the game on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, respectively. It’s a combination of both their perspectives.

With jaw-dropping cyberpunk visuals, Turbo Overkill stands as one of the most brutal FPS releases from Apogee. Players step into the shoes of Johnny Turbo, a character enhanced with hidden arm rockets and a unique chainsaw that extends from his leg, allowing him to cleave adversaries with a slick slide.

Returning to his hometown, Paradise, Johnny finds it plagued by Syn, a renegade AI, and its legion of augmented soldiers. Burdened by past regrets, Johnny accepts a daunting task: obliterating this supreme AI. However, he’s not alone in the hunt for the bounty, as rival hunters are also pursuing the prize. Challenges abound in Paradise.

Growing up with classic FPS titles, I was eager to experience what Turbo Overkill offers on Nintendo’s system. Following its original Steam debut in 2023, this intense game is now available on the Nintendo Switch. Here, you embody Johnny Turbo, a formidable figure outfitted with arm rockets and a menacing chainsaw that emerges from his leg.

Upon his return to Paradise, Johnny perceives the town’s drastic decline. The rogue AI Syn menaces the populace, spreading chaos swiftly like a virus, and endangering everyone. Your mission is straightforward yet formidable: combat Syn’s minions to ultimately dismantle the AI.

In this first-person shooter, you’ll navigate Johnny using the left analog stick and use the right stick for aiming. You can change your view with the D-Pad. Jump or double-jump with the B button, and use the R button to dash. The X button activates your grappling hook, while the L button unleashes your chainsaw slide. Plus, there are numerous ways to attack your foes.

Primary attacks are managed with the ZR button, and secondary ones with ZL. The weapon wheel is accessible via the D-Pad to easily switch your gear. Launch micro-missiles using the Y button, and activate Turbo-Time—slowing down the world for maximum impact—by pressing in on the right stick when available.

The gameplay mechanic is straightforward. Defeat enemies to gather cash, use it to bolster your augmentations, enhance weapons, and unlock additional abilities. Knock out a boss to obtain its special augment, ensuring you’re ready for whatever comes next. This cycle continues over a series of two dozen levels.

As EdEN mentioned, Turbo Overkill is a whirlwind FPS brimming with violence that justifies its Mature rating on the PlayStation 5. Set in a desolate world, it suits the level of gore and aggression faced. Players can delve into Campaign Mode to uncover more about Johnny Turbo, the AI Syn, and Paradise itself. There’s also an Arcade Mode for a more direct experience, and even an Endless Mode to truly test your acquired skills.

From the onset, the game doesn’t hold back the action, kicking into gear soon after the initial cutscene. Right from the first tutorial level, Turbo Overkill earns its Mature status without question!

This game is not for the faint-hearted; blood gushes across your screen with each enemy defeated. The controls are intuitive, ensuring fluid movement and combat. Executing a slide with the chainsaw attached to your legs is exhilarating, fitting with the game’s frenzied pace. A minor gripe is that the main menu skips the PlayStation convention of using the Circle button to go back.

Turbo Overkill offers five difficulty settings, catering to all player levels. Starting at Virgin Blood for newcomers—with enemy and damage multipliers dialed down—it ramps up to Murder Machine. This intense setting demands precision as enemy projectiles speed up and damage output dramatically spikes, with health items being a rarity.

The visual design of the game cleverly marries modern and retro elements, echoing 1990s favorites like Doom. High-polygon models blend with pixelated textures evoking nostalgia, while the dramatic field-of-view enhances the retro vibe, especially at a consistent 60 frames per second on the PlayStation 5. However, the character’s perspective feels a touch off, creating the effect of your avatar being surprisingly short.

For the trophy hunters, Turbo Overkill includes a robust trophy list, culminating in a Platinum badge. Achievements pop for completing episodes, different difficulty levels, and collectibles. Avid players can test their mettle in Endless Mode, chase high scores, and complete fast-paced challenges.

Turbo Overkill captivated me with its dynamic homage to 90s FPS gems like Doom and Heretic. The campaign thrilled from start to finish, blending high-speed chaos with heady shooting excitement.

Original Steam release in 2023, Turbo Overkill now brings its visceral action to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation. Play as Johnny Turbo, battle against a menacing AI threatening Paradise. The visuals might take a hit on Switch compared to PlayStation 5, mainly to stabilize framerate, but it plays smoothly. With Nintendo Switch and PlayStation releases available, your purchase is optimized: $19.99 grants you both PlayStation 4 and 5 versions via Cross-Buy.

This review is based on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch versions provided by Apogee Entertainment.