Each member of the PC Gamer team is taking a moment to highlight a game that captured their hearts this year, alongside the main Game of the Year Awards 2024. This month, we will unveil these personal picks, showcasing the diverse gaming experiences that have resonated with us.
DeathSprint 66: A Thrilling Tribute to Classic Dystopia
Among the standout titles is DeathSprint 66, a game that unabashedly wears its influences on its sleeve. Drawing inspiration from Stephen King’s The Running Man and its iconic ’80s film adaptation featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, this game immerses players in a neon-drenched future where survival hinges on navigating a series of deadly obstacles for the thrill of the crowd.
What initially drew me to DeathSprint 66 was its homage to surfing mods, a beloved sub-genre that originated in games like Counter-Strike. In essence, this title transforms the exhilarating challenge of surfing maps—where players must traverse from point A to B with speed and finesse—into a frenetic race against time and competitors, all while dodging lethal traps.
The game features PvE courses that serve as an excellent introduction to its fast-paced mechanics. Players can expect to face numerous deaths and failures in their first half hour, becoming all too familiar with the concept of respawning as they navigate through a gauntlet of lasers and sharp turns. The course designers seem to revel in creating elaborate, punishing challenges, ensuring that each run is a test of skill and patience.
However, the true essence of DeathSprint 66 lies in its PvP mode, where up to eight players compete in a chaotic race. The absence of weapons might seem like a missed opportunity, yet the inherent chaos of racing against others often leads to spectacular moments of destruction. Players can shoulder-barge their opponents into traps, creating a dynamic where survival is as much about strategy as it is about speed.
Among the arsenal of weapons available, players can deploy traps that can instantly eliminate competitors, adding a layer of strategy to the frantic gameplay. The thrill of setting a well-placed laser trap near a boost pad, only to watch as opponents fall victim to it, is a delightful aspect of the game.
The allure of DeathSprint 66 is not solely in its chaotic multiplayer experience but also in the precision and control it offers. The satisfaction of executing a perfect lap amidst the mayhem is a testament to the game’s design. Yet, the unpredictability of racing against others often leads to moments of both triumph and hilarious failure, embodying the spirit of competition.
In this exhilarating blend of skill and chaos, DeathSprint 66 captures the essence of what makes gaming so compelling. It invites players to embrace the thrill of the race, the joy of competition, and the inevitable chaos that ensues when speed meets strategy.
