RAD

RAD is an apocalyptic roguelite, where humanity has faced armageddon not once, but twice.

The fate of the world…or what’s remaining of it, depends on you and whatever strange new abilities you gain as the world around you ravages your body.
 

About the world and the setting

The first apocalypse wasn´t much of a surprise, but a second apocalypse come around, we were like, seriously?. This is how we are presented in this irradiated world, a survivor from a small village, chosen to restore machines which purify our land, or find a new power source.

Although we can move around the village, there is little we can do, such as interact with a bank, a store and a farmer.

We will travel through fallow land, a forest, and destroyed moors, areas that are very different from each other, with their respective locals, but just like our town, there is little we can do with them except perform a few quests.

About the gameplay and mechanics

Just starting the adventure they give you a bat... and the power to absorb radiation by defeating enemies

 The good:

• Mutations: there are lots and different in mechanic, even some can sinergy, you can get three and some cases change them (explore!).
• Big levels: maps has lots of secrets, since hidden rooms and chests to subterranean levels, which lead to rewards and secret exits.

The bad:

• The bat: getting your first mutation is quick, but here we have the first problem, fighting with the bat, which has very close range, and a slow recovery animation that leads to being hit after making a mistake.
• Worlds: there are 6 levels and 3 worlds, altough each world are clearly different each, playing these worlds over and over again gets boring.

This is a roguelite, so some elements remain after beating (or not) the game, but the decision to add a punctuation system to unlock new equipment and mutations makes grindy and hard a casual game like this. To solve this, there is an assist mode which enhance the gameplay if you feel stuck.

Final thoughts

RAD is a solid game, but it feels like they cut things when releasing it. After a few hours, you've already discovered most of the game's surprises, and for a roguelite, that's a big drawback. Even so, the gameplay is solid and the world-building is appealing.

Recommended if:

• If you are looking for a short game to look into the genre (10-12 hours)
• Play different mechanics each run.
• Love 80s style.

Not recommended if:

• Want to do 100% (50-150 hours, heavy RNG)