[Dual Perspective] Turbo Overkill: An In-Depth Review

Turbo Overkill, developed by Apogee Entertainment and Trigger Happy Interactive, has ramped up the excitement for FPS fans by bringing its intense, mature-rated action to the console crowd. In this review, both Ceidz and I, EdEN, dive into our experiences with the game on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.

Picture this: a visually stunning cyberpunk environment where Turbo Overkill claims the spotlight as one of the most brutal FPS offerings from Apogee. Step into the boots of Johnny Turbo, a character armed with rocket-fueled arms and a leg-mounted chainsaw designed to slice foes into oblivion.

Returning to the once-idyllic Paradise, Johnny finds the town engulfed in chaos, courtesy of Syn — a rogue AI now controlling the population through its enhanced minions. Haunted by his past mistakes and spurred by the lure of cash, Johnny sets out on a daunting mission to eliminate this digital overlord. However, he isn’t the only one eyeing the reward; rival bounty hunters are hot on his heels, making Paradise anything but.

My FPS journey started with classics from yesteryear, so I eagerly anticipated Turbo Overkill’s switch to Nintendo’s platform. Initially released on Steam in 2023, this intense ride has now ventured into console territory. Johnny Turbo, with his mechanically enhanced might and the chainsaw leg of doom, promises unrelenting action.

Once back in his hometown, Johnny quickly discovers Paradise under siege by Syn’s virus-like control. It’s a dire situation, demanding a showdown with Syn’s forces to ultimately face the rogue AI itself.

In typical FPS style, you’ll maneuver Johnny using the left stick and adjust your view with the right. Change perspectives with the D-Pad, leap and double jump using the B button, and dash with R. Your trusty grapple hook is assigned to X, while the L button unleashes the savage chainsaw slide. Combat is creative, starting with primary and secondary fire options, accessible via ZR and ZL. The D-Pad lets you browse your arsenal of destruction, with Y unleashing devastating micro-missiles. Engage Turbo-Time with a right-stick click to slow everything down and dominate your foes.

As you dive through levels, the gameplay loop involves defeating adversaries for cash to upgrade your augmentations and weaponry, all while tackling challenging bosses for exclusive upgrades. This rinse-and-repeat cycle spreads over two dozen thrilling stages.

Turbo Overkill is undoubtedly a bloody affair, with every strike splattering enemies across the battlefield. The intuitive controls ensure fluid movement and combat experiences, amplifying the adrenaline with every chainsaw slide. However, one quirk — the Circle button fails to act as a ‘back’ function in the menu, contrary to PlayStation norms.

The game offers five difficulty tiers, welcoming players of all skills. Virgin Blood is the easiest, with reduced enemy resistance and firepower. Regular Joe hits the balanced norm, while Street Cleaner increases enemy speed and restricts upgrades to augments only. Serve Me Pain ramps up projectile pace and fierceness further still, and Murder Machine pushes everything to the extreme — health drops only from defeated enemies and lightning-fast shots make survival formidable.

Turbo Overkill’s visual presentation is a nod to the glory days of FPS legends like Doom and Heretic. Enhanced polygons and pixelated textures blend with exaggerated FOVs to deliver a retro feel, all while the PS5 ensures a consistent 60fps performance. However, the perspective makes Johnny seem comically short, which is an adjustment.

For those chasing trophies, there’s a robust list waiting, including a Platinum achievement. It’s a mix challenging your completionist resolve, featuring level completions, collectibles, and strategic combat feats.

Ultimately, Turbo Overkill stands apart by fusing a nostalgic vibe with modern chaos. Whether you’re navigating the main campaign, quick-beat Arcade Mode, or endless challenges, it offers enough variety and excitement to stay engaging. With its console debut, this once-PC exclusive spreads its wings wider.

It’s worth noting the graphical concessions on the Switch in resolution to maintain frame rates, unlike the PS5 version. Still, its Cross-Buy nature on Sony’s platform, offering PS4 and PS5 versions for a single price, makes it a value-packed choice.

This comprehensive Turbo Overkill review was based on copies for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch provided by Apogee Entertainment.