There is a possibility this has been said before, but I love a good road trip game. And let’s be honest if this has come up twice in three of these articles, there is a chance this is the only thing you need to know about me. Dustborn from Red Thread Games looks to combine films like Almost Famous with one of my favorite games, Road 96, making this a trip I want to take.
Dustborn sees the player take the role of Pax, a member of the band Dustborn. They are traveling cross-country on their latest tour through a futurist Americana complete with some Route 66 aesthetics and robotic citizens. Of course, the band isn’t real. You and your ragtag crew were assembled to transport a package across an authoritarian and fragmented America by some kind of shadow broker.
With the political power hot on your heels, regardless of if this is all a cover or not you are going to have to play the part. This puts music at the forefront of the experience. If you like me and also happen to love Night In The Woods or Goodbye Volcano High, then you should be aware of what to expect. A rhythm-based mini-game where you showcase your musical prowess on guitar, because who wants to play bassist? The difference between this and that, most of the time you playing for people who want to kill you, so there is a little more at stake than getting the talent scout to notice you.
There is also more at play than just music, as you will also be armed with your trusty bat… To hit things… There is a beat ’em up, hack-and-slash combat system that reminds me of another guitarist-focused platformer, Hi-Fi Rush. Pax and her bandmates will all participate in combat, making for frantic moments of bot-bashing goodness for when, you know, your crew has run out of things to talk about.
That being said, it wouldn’t be a road trip without plenty of conversations. As Pax you will be able to talk to your crew, bonding with them as the journey continues. Decisions you make can also have affects on the relationships you form so watch what you say or you just might end up as a hated loose end. Of course, Pax has a secret. She can use a special power known as Vox that allows her to use her voice to manipulate people. This isn’t limited to just conversation either as it will prove to be a vital tool in combat.
In Dustborn, there is a whole country you need to travel through and experiences that will reflect that. From getting new people to join your crew, visiting historic landmarks, or just sitting around the campfire and jamming, it looks like Dustborn will be a narrative-driven trip steeped with emotion. Well, that and enough anti-authoritarian bot-bashing to shake a bat at. Something for everybody and more.
You will be able to tune your guitar, get the band together, jump on the tour bus, and drive headlong into the action when Dustborn releases on August 20th for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and PC.
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