Defunct

Story:

This is one of those games that barely tells you anything, but there's a premise that explains why you're rolling around (at the speed of sound). You play as a cute robot (one among many) whose motor is malfunctioning, and on his way to the workshop, he accidentally falls off a giant cargo ship and lands on a planet, which I assume is the future Earth, where humans seem to be gone, and nature has taken over. Your one goal is to chase after that ship and get back home before it leaves for good. It's got a bit of a “Wall-E” vibe going for it, although this Earth looks leagues better than the one in the movie. There will be no explanation of who these robots are, why all humans are gone, or what has actually happened to this world. What you see is what you get, so you'll have to use your imagination (practicing Valve's school of storytelling, eh?).

Gameplay:

There's not a lot to the gameplay, but what is there works fine. Your motor is broken, which means that you'll be moving at a snail's pace, but you have a "Gravitize" engine. Hold the button going downhill, and you'll be pulled by gravity, gaining insane speed. Use it uphill, and it'll slow you to a crawl, which helps you reach higher places. The gravitational pulse changes colour to help you with identifying whether you are up or down, with green for down and red for up. Later in the game you'll also be able to find boost canisters which will give you additional speed upon use. Mastering the rhythm of toggling this gravity is essentially the entire game, and when you get it right, it's fun as hell. But the other way around is true too. There have been several occasions where I was sure that I  was gaining speed, only to see my pulse being red. All because of the uneven terrain.

You'll explore open levels, sometimes collecting batteries to open gates or finding hidden collectibles for new skins. Levels are varied, with different locations and types of terrain, although it doesn't matter if you're riding on grass, metal, asphalt, or sand. There's also a magnet move for riding on walls and ceilings, which is cool but could have been used more. I have to warn you tho: the controls feel strange at first and take some getting used to. Also, the camera can be a bit janky on sharp turns, which is annoying. The game is a bit on the short side; in 2 hours, I finished the story. The good replay value comes from trying to get high scores in the time trial modes and finding all the secrets.

Graphics:

It's fine for an indie title. Simplistic but stylish. It's got a bright, cartoon-ish style that just works with either everyday objects, such as cars, roads, pipes, etc., or more "alien" like robots, starships, and huge relays. You'll speed through 11 different levels, each with its own look: like lush forests, sandy deserts, and sprawling fields. While some of the textures and details might look a bit simple if you stop to stare, you won't be stopping much. When you're flying downhill, the world around you becomes a blur.

Also, there are almost no HUD elements or effects except for your gravity pulse and boost gauge.

Audio:

The audio does its job, but there isn't anything I'd like to point out. The soundtrack has some chill, adventurous tunes that fit the mood of exploring a forgotten world. The sound effects for your engine, boosts, and landing are satisfying, especially when you're in a fast flow.

Thoughts:

Defunct is a fun, engaging, sometimes janky, and sadly very brief experience. It's the kind of game you play for the pure joy of movement. If you've ever wanted a game that captures the thrilling downhill speed of a great Sonic level, this is absolutely worth a look. Just know that you're basically buying a fantastic gameplay demo. It's best to grab it on sale. If you can accept it for the short, speedy joyride it is, you'll have a great time. If you need a longer and more Sonic-like experience, there’s a better alternative such as "Spark The Electric Jester".