No Straight Roads

 PlayStation 4
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 87 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 87
  3. Negative: 19 out of 87
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  1. vahn
    Sep 9, 2020
    7
    I only heard of this game through some random videos on youtube but I was already struck by the style and music: the style is unique and the first game that comes to mind is Psychonauts, while the music is varied and extremely enjoyable - and I still listen to the OST everytime. When I got the game I was very curious because I didn't know much else besides being a platform game with a sortI only heard of this game through some random videos on youtube but I was already struck by the style and music: the style is unique and the first game that comes to mind is Psychonauts, while the music is varied and extremely enjoyable - and I still listen to the OST everytime. When I got the game I was very curious because I didn't know much else besides being a platform game with a sort of boss rush mechanic, but in the end it's a very good game.

    The characters are fantastic, they are so charming and enjoyable to watch, the animations are great and the faces so expressive. Also the bosses are quite unique and I really enjoy all them, being some stereotypes of today's music industry (The DJ, the vocaloid, the child prodigy, the boyband, and the "Lady Gaga") but still have enough personality to make them enjoyable to watch. What's even great here is that, as much as the NSR are the villain here, the game really doesn't side with anyone and there's even a great message at the end of the game that really wants to say that "all types of music are valid and as good!"

    So that's why I want to be brutally honest here and say that as much as I love this game, it's very hard to recommend it as it is due to the annoying amount of bugs that can ruin the game.

    Now, the ps4 version overall works fine, didn't have any major game-breaking bugs so far and it's overall functioning and even managed to reach the end of the game, but the problem starts when you try to play and do other things, as well as some people having worse bugs than me: currently the only major bug I have is the inability to unlock perfect parry mode but I heard of people having black screens, while for me the boss energy bar was all white. The game itself seems to work overall fine, but that's because I got lucky, and I can't say you if you buy it, will have the same luck.

    Because of this, I would recommend caution when buying this game: the game is overall cheap too, only 40 euros to me, so it is worth the price at least, but if you're the unlucky one who was unfortunate enough to get a game breaking bug, then it's either restarting the game, wait for a patch, or give up...

    If the game had no bugs, I would've easily given this game a full 8/10 because it still does have some other small flaws - the game is very short, finished it in less than 8 hours, and some fights in higher difficulties don't seem to be very balanced either. But once this game gets fully fixed, it'll be an amazing ride with no straight roads!    … Expand
  2. BevQuinn
    Sep 13, 2020
    7
    Doing a 2 player game with this is hard. The camera is dodgy- better for single player. Can't rotate the camera around during boss battles and you loose sight of yourself during 2p because of it.
    Even outside of game, you loose sight of player 2.
    Still has some glitches here and there but nothing a few updates wont fix. Overall a really nice game to play for one person. 2 people is just    Doing a 2 player game with this is hard. The camera is dodgy- better for single player. Can't rotate the camera around during boss battles and you loose sight of yourself during 2p because of it.
    Even outside of game, you loose sight of player 2.
    Still has some glitches here and there but nothing a few updates wont fix. Overall a really nice game to play for one person. 2 people is just dodgy. Easier but dodgy because of camera.    … Expand
  3. gewhw
    Jan 24, 2023
    6
    This game is actually worth a try even though my expectations wasn't that high
  4. tortuga64
    Aug 29, 2020
    7
    No straight road is fun game, the story is ok and soundtrack are really good.
  5. Fake-BigWeld
    Dec 18, 2020
    5
    The game has some awesome visuals and art direction, the music is great and the overall concept of No Straight Roads is a neat idea, but the poor gameplay, awful storytelling, countless amounts of bugs and disappointing world building overall led to a mediocre gaming experience that I would find hard to recommend.
  6. AortaPlatinum
    Aug 30, 2020
    7
    So you know all those crazy awesome weird Dreamcast games, like Jet Set Radio or Super Magnetic Neo? Alright so take that concept and combine it with character action/hack and slash gameplay, and combine THAT with a rhythm game, stir in some godlike character design and outstanding music, shockingly well thought out world building and lore, and a ton of unlockables, and you have NoSo you know all those crazy awesome weird Dreamcast games, like Jet Set Radio or Super Magnetic Neo? Alright so take that concept and combine it with character action/hack and slash gameplay, and combine THAT with a rhythm game, stir in some godlike character design and outstanding music, shockingly well thought out world building and lore, and a ton of unlockables, and you have No Straight Roads. There are definitely some large flaws, such as the boss fight in NSR tower not being explained super well, your AI partner in single player mode just standing around and not doing anything during boss fights, and fast travel having a very strange unlock requirement that I didn't even find until after I finished the story, but with a couple patches, this could easily go up there with some of my favorite games of all time.
    Also Sayu is my wife.    … Expand
  7. Solidradin4
    Sep 2, 2020
    7
    The game visuals are great and ost is catchy and tells us bout the bosses personality, but gameplay wise, it has many flaws, jump is floaty, DK west bosses are you tough which is good, but to have the ability to heal in that only pc, is kinda unfair XD, but still most game is enjoyable, but also pretty short, and the last boss's is predictable in a way, but still it's a decent and funThe game visuals are great and ost is catchy and tells us bout the bosses personality, but gameplay wise, it has many flaws, jump is floaty, DK west bosses are you tough which is good, but to have the ability to heal in that only pc, is kinda unfair XD, but still most game is enjoyable, but also pretty short, and the last boss's is predictable in a way, but still it's a decent and fun experience (sorry for my English XD)… Expand
  8. Xedmed
    Nov 27, 2021
    6
    NSR is an unfortunate game. Scenariowise its fantastic. The themes, soundtrack, all brilliant. Gameplaywise it belongs on the Dreamcast or PS1. Combat is sloppy and ridiculously punishing. A parry system that rarely allows you to parry, and a firing system that only lets you hit far away enemies. Its a sluggish and often clumsy affair. I do hope it gets a sequel as the scenario is jawNSR is an unfortunate game. Scenariowise its fantastic. The themes, soundtrack, all brilliant. Gameplaywise it belongs on the Dreamcast or PS1. Combat is sloppy and ridiculously punishing. A parry system that rarely allows you to parry, and a firing system that only lets you hit far away enemies. Its a sluggish and often clumsy affair. I do hope it gets a sequel as the scenario is jaw dropping and I'd like to see combat refined so that the gameplay is as much fun as the setting.… Expand
  9. Yrye
    Jul 29, 2022
    6
    The camera needs some work as it's hard to see what's going on most of the time
  10. Hjerj
    Oct 19, 2022
    6
    Felt like this was an ok game to enjoy but much too short and doesn't have enough value if for a full price game
  11. Herjd
    Nov 16, 2022
    6
    solid game with some good music in the game somewhat. wish it was longer and have more value.
  12. Nmaa18
    Apr 16, 2023
    7
    intro: An underrated game. It's like a simplified psychonauts 2 more focused on music.

    The good stuff: the music is nice, the writing is good and will surprise you with how deep, realistic, and relatable it can be contrary to the childish looks n voices in the game. i personally love the art style, especially the character dialogue moments, they use a wide range of high quality art for    intro: An underrated game. It's like a simplified psychonauts 2 more focused on music.

    The good stuff: the music is nice, the writing is good and will surprise you with how deep, realistic, and relatable it can be contrary to the childish looks n voices in the game. i personally love the art style, especially the character dialogue moments, they use a wide range of high quality art for the characters. the main hub is like disneyland, its pretty. Finally, the fighting maps look good, and the game overall feels well structured.

    What could have been improved: i think the game could have been a bit more polished, some minor bugs. the combat was ok, but not very deep. the "purple shots" were confusing because you have to parry at, what felt to me like, a later time than the screen would suggest. a parry to the robots would have been nice, because the dodge was not very effective/fun to use.

    Conclusion: This game is about the story of a charming, compatible, duo that fight against djs, pianists, and male pop bands to get NSR rid of the government - because they censor rock and deprive the city of electricity. It is also about brotherly love, break ups, accepting defeat, fighting against greater powers, and much more. along the way, the music is truly great, and what is great is that the fighting areas are as varied as the music, there is Pop music, EDM, classical piano solo music, Rock music, and hiphop. The price and length are correct. I give the game 72/100    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 34
  3. Negative: 2 out of 34
  1. App Trigger
    Jan 29, 2021
    90
    No Straight Roads is a big and colorful musical experience with heavy JRPG influences that lets you fight the man, give power to the people of Vinyl City and bring joy, all with the sweet power of rock and roll.
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  2. Gaming Nexus
    Nov 9, 2020
    70
    No Straight Roads has fantastic visuals, a phenomenal soundtrack, and lovable characters. It's a shame that the rest of the game doesn't hold up as well but I didn't regret my time with the game and will be replaying the boss fights many more times thanks to the fantastic music.
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  3. GamingBolt
    Nov 1, 2020
    70
    No Straight Roads looks great, sounds great, and has great characters- but it has major gameplay issues that bring down the whole experience.
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