Review of DeathSprint 66

Platform: Microsoft Windows

Initial release date: September 12, 2024

Developer: Sumo Digital Ltd.

Genres: Racing game, Platform game, Racing

Publisher: Secret Mode

Engine: Unreal Engine 5

In the high-octane racing stadiums of the future, vehicles are for losers. Motorcycles are for the weak. Races will be run on foot, at breakneck speed, by athletes as disposable as chocolate chips in a cake mix, with roughly the same life expectancy. The world of DeathSprint 66 is crazy and bloody, which is exactly how we like it.

It’s set in a violent, red-drenched dystopian future where blood sports are the most popular. DeathSprint 66 is a competition broadcast by the Bachman Media Group, which I can only assume is a reference to Richard Bachman, Stephen King’s pseudonym in The Running Man. It makes sense given the aesthetics and topic. Oh, and check out the scrolling headlines for some cheeky references to other franchises and old films.

I assumed the racers were cyborgs until I struck a barrier and burst like a water balloon full of Ragu. Death drops you back on the track quickly, but you’ll have to work hard to reclaim your position. I didn’t mind because it was so much fun.

Sumo Digital is most well-known for Crackdown 3, but they were also responsible for LittleBigPlanet 3 and the Outrun remake in their earlier years, so it’s an obvious connection to make. Bounding around the city, leaping buildings, and collecting Agility Orbs was the ideal training routine for DeathSprint 66.

Everything is on foot, but not necessarily on the ground. You can use your feet and hands to drift, boost, grind rails, and wall-run for miles. It’s similar to competitive Ghostrunner, but with somewhat less murders. Furthermore, the whole fluidity of the experience is quite addictive. Except, I should mention, while boosting up specific ramps. For whatever reason, there are a few ramps on a few tracks that appear to teleport you upwards, which is always startling.

When you grind or hang, you must lean left or right to escape lasers and collect small energy symbols that power your boost. You also need to collect Tribute Coins, which provide you additional abilities similar to Mario Kart. There’s one that projects a gigantic bull’s head and increases your speed, while others lay mines, launch homing rockets, and bounce massive sawblades around the course.

It’s difficult to put into words how satisfying DeathSprint 66 is to play. Of course, the core of the task is found online, but you can also explore Episodes mode, which has specific challenges such as time trials. Alternatively, you may switch to Showtime mode, which includes the same objectives but pits you against other players. Here, you can unlock different cosmetics and banners to customize your runner.

There’s much to play for the low price. More tracks and variation would be nice, but this is an arcade racing at its core, so there’s no need for further baggage. It’s all about driving quickly and splattering everybody else, and understanding when to take the high or low path when the track splits is useful.

Grinding, wall-running, swinging, and drifting never slow you down, and with alternative ways through parts of the tracks (small divergences, not completely alternate lines), there’s potential for tactical play once you understand what each power-up does. And seeing an opponent being squashed as they overtake you is difficult to beat.

Despite some minor issues that are most likely due to the game’s speed, DeathSprint 66 is a lot of fun. It’s not packed with stuff to do, and the cosmetics aren’t particularly fascinating, but the minute-to-minute gameplay is fantastic, especially if you play with people you know who can hold a grudge.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 82%

Controls: 84%

Aesthetics: 78%

Content: 80%

Accessibility: 77%

Value: 81%

Overall: 80%

GOOD

Summary: DeathSprint 66’s high-octane gameplay emphasizes fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping action. The mechanics are precise and engaging, delivering a thrilling ride through difficult races and dramatic moments. Controls are responsive, resulting in a smooth and gratifying experience. While the graphics are hardly innovative, they effectively convey the game’s harsh, future mood. The content is diverse and replayable, with adequate accessibility choices, albeit greater inclusion is needed. Overall, DeathSprint 66 provides an exciting and engaging experience for fans of fast-paced racing games.