Total Overdose: A Gunslinger's Tale in Mexico

It's not "GTA4" nor is it trying to be but it does borrow some elements from the game to create one of the cheesiest and most playable games of the year so far, its just not as fully realized as it could have been.

A tequila-fuelled, high octane, explosive game that combines frantic gunplay and stylish combo moves with a distinctive and perfectly realised Mexican theme to produce a very entertaining and funny experience.

To push an untested franchise out the door, when the game is full of problems, during the season when we get the most games, in a year where we'll be seeing a system launch, well, that's just silly.

Although, more often than not, these ‘borrowed’ gameplay elements are poorly implemented and tiresome, there’s a surprising amount of mileage within the game.

A darn good adventure and one that should be taken by every serious gamer. It may not take the place of any "Grand Theft Auto" game but it could certainly hold its own against "Max Payne."

Total Overdose is certainly fun if all you're after is a quick blast and something that doesn't tax your mind meat, but it isn't nearly as multi-faceted as it thinks it is. [PSW]

Cheap AI, lame graphics, dull gameplay. It's all there for the suffering.

It's cool if you ever thought of playing a GTA-style game set in 80s' Mexico, but ultimately marred by the 'overdose' of bullet-time gameplay.

There was never any doubt that Total Overdose would fall foul of one of its genre's various pitfalls, but it's unfortunate that it ultimately had to be one as irksome as excessive length... At its best, the game still shakes up a loud and spicy Mexican cocktail, but what it’s added to the mix has been more than enough to weaken the taste. [Nov 2005, p.103]

The gameplay, the story, the graphics, the music, the voice acting ... it’s all imbued with such a central sense of style that the game just pops.

If you happened to be sitting at home one evening, bored off your tits, and feel like lying on your tummy with a stupid grin splattered across your face, you could probably do worse than to rent it out - even if it is basically that "Kill all the Haitians" line from Vice City done up as an entire game. Totally.

If ever a game deserved the description of “Xtreme” or some spelling variation thereof, it’s this one. Total Overdose takes every stale action game stereotype and cranks it up to 11, presenting a game that’s lame and self-parodying, but despite that still manages to be fun--fun enough for a rental, that is.

Ramiro Cruz is no Max Payne, and he never will be – but if you have ever had even the slightest inkling to visit the dirty side of Mexico, Cruz is one heck of a travel partner.

As much as I would like to recommend that people see the insanity that unfolds, the shoddy play will likely drive most gamers into a mental institution. [Jan 2006, p.138]

If you can look paste the long loading times, then this is an awesome title and definitely recommended.

If this had come out 3 years back it would have been a top-scoring revelation, but that’s its main problem – it just feels like an older, less refined, game. There are some sound ideas in here, but simply not enough polish to really rate it.

It's stupid, it's cliched and you can leave your brain at the door but, when you're having this much fun playing Total Overdose, can you really complain? [PSM2]

Action game fans ought to be able to settle in and blast their ways through Total Overdose's relatively brief campaign with reasonable levels of enjoyment. Just be prepared for one extremely cheesy ride.

"GTA: Mexico" with B-level developer talent: The game Robert Rodriguez would have designed if his brain had been replaced by a satsuma: This is Smash TV in sombreros.

While the game is a bit on the linear side and some missions might seem repetitive, there’s action aplenty for those gamers that like their action wild.

The style aspect of the game is fun, and the simple run and gun missions are enjoyable. However, some technical glitches, horrible enemy AI, a weak plot, and some under whelming gameplay features manage to keep it far from great.

The game’s audio, variety of weapons and moves keeps you interested for a while, but the game isn’t that long and is very repetitive, which certainly kills any buzz you originally had.

While Total Overdose won't be revered as a classic for years to come, it is a surprisingly solid game. You'll be sucked in by the game's very fun action sequences and the chance to blow up everything with a well placed flying car is just gosh darn fun.

Players will have seen every reference the game uses, but the ultimate combination is a fun game that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

While Total Overdose may not be the most original, deep or serious game to hit a console, the game benefits in many ways from being the exact opposite. Its proven gunplay, in-your-face action and witty sense of style make Total Overdose a game that deserves at least a quick play through.

Addictive and action-packed, racking up combo kills creates a twist that will keep pulling you back in for just one more go. [Nov 2006, p.142]

Just like a fine chalupa meal at Taco Bell, you're getting exactly what you paid for, no more, no less.

While substandard scripts and voice acting can be forgiven, when someone pays upwards of £30 for a game lasting ten hours maximum they do not expect to be faced with fiddly controls or to be confused by poorly thought out level structures.

still a fun romp, and that's what matters most. [Holiday 2005, p.76]

A nice looking, functional 3rd person action shooter. But the similarities with existing and even classic titles, plus a lack of any real innovation at all hardly makes Total Overdose stand out a mile for the more experienced gamer.

Total Overdose may be another unashamed clone, but its amusing Mexican underworld storyline and crazy acrobatic moves make it a load of irresistible fun.

Total Overdose does not boast the richest and silkiest of graphics, yet it does have 20 levels of gameplay with an appropriate B-movie feel. Although the game’s longevity may be in doubt, its ability to engross is assured.

Its repetitive structure and bland storyline creates a somewhat shallow experience, yet at the same time there’s depth to be found in the combo combat system and the many side missions to partake.

The driving and free-roaming elements leave a bit to be desired, but the storyline is a fresh change of pace and the developers got the atmosphere down for the game to a T.