Rustler

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
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  1. WellPlayed
    Sep 10, 2021
    40
    Rustler brings classic Grand Theft Auto to a twisted version of the European Middle Ages, but its reliance on other media for laughs and a finicky release build makes it a title worth trying only for those nostalgic for the vintage entries of a now-juggernaut series.

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User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. Steel1943
    Jan 27, 2023
    0
    Played the PS5 version of the game for about 30 minutes, and immediately ran across 3 game-breaking bugs, all involving instances wherePlayed the PS5 version of the game for about 30 minutes, and immediately ran across 3 game-breaking bugs, all involving instances where destination points are not triggering when running over them ... such as the save point, the race finish line, and using Pimp My Horse during a quest as a quest objective ... to a point where I'm not playing this game again. May give the PS4 version a try to see if the bugs are there as well, but as it stands and since this version have been out for well over a year and these bugs still remain, I'm not playing the PS5 version ever again.… Full Review »
  2. SplitMind
    Nov 29, 2021
    8
    I took a punt on Rustler based on how it seemed to not take itself too seriously and was unashamedly embracing its GTA-features. While this isI took a punt on Rustler based on how it seemed to not take itself too seriously and was unashamedly embracing its GTA-features. While this is an apt summary of Rustler, it also doesn't do justice to quite an entertaining and compact experience.

    Rustler's graphics hark back to the old-school GTAs with a birds-eye view. This allows for graphics to be less detailed in-line with the lower budget the game had and it works really well. One disadvantage of GTA was that you struggled to see where you were going, but Rustler circumvents this by having you on horseback, with most horses and traversal covering a fairly short distance. You will see framerate drops and imperfections, but really the graphics fulfil their purpose. The graphics are far from a PS5 standard, but the price of the game also reflects this and I think that's perfectly fine.

    The gameplay of Rustler borrows from GTA and borrows very well. The horses can be tricky to handle and this is likely to be the most common issue you experience, but at the same time this is also a skill to be learned. You won't have guns but you do have an array of blades and bows to handle. The combat isn't ground-breaking but also easy to learn quickly.

    The missions and Rustler as a whole tends to be short and snappy, which really works in favour of the game to prevent repetition and padding. The main quest and side quests provide just enough content that I was neither unsatisfied or over-saturated by the game's end.

    Some of the quests can get a bit fiddly, such as jousting which seemed a tad inaccurate, as well as a specific mission involving collecting bodies which had an insanely narrow time-limit. These are something that can be overcome with a bit of practice but do cause mild frustration.

    The story of Rustler is really where it shines. Humour in game like this can often reach immature and toilet-level of intellect, but Rustler manages to toe the line between crude insolence and clever barbs. There are plenty of references such as Monty Python and a general attitude of not taking life too seriously. I don't want to spoil the game, so I'll just say that there's a bard-core version of Queen's "I want to Break Free" that was a real highlight of the game for me. Despite the humour there is a coherent narrative and direction to the game centred on a kind of revenge plot that I found surprisingly engrossing also.

    Overall, Rustler is a game that hasn't attracted the attention it deserves. I found it to be a concise, humorous and enjoyable experience that I can wholly recommend. It may not be a next-gen paradigm shift, but it never sets out to be and makes no airs or graces at deriving inspiration from classic GTA. This is well worth a try.    … Full Review »
  3. Westwolf78
    Sep 5, 2021
    6
    It's ok for the price I am not too upset think it's a good cheap game has that old school feel but a ok game had some fun.
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