Road 96

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. Pure Xbox
    Apr 26, 2022
    90
    Road 96 is a masterpiece in storytelling and depending on your own experience, you may even be moved by its through line of hope, loss, and the ultimate goal of personal freedom. Many of the game's themes haven't directly applied to my life, but Road 96 is an education in empathy and it really makes you feel for the folks out there who are scrambling to get their lives in order because of other people's actions. It's not a perfect game — mechanically things could be improved at times — but its story is about as close to perfect as you could ask for, and for that, we recommend it without a shadow of a doubt.
  2. XboxAddict
    Apr 29, 2022
    89
    The team of around 15 developers created a 15-20 hour game that is heavily influenced by the works of Tarantino, the Coen Brothers and Bong Joon-Ho and inspired by many stories, including The Goonies. Although unlikely, I would very much like some extra content featuring the loveable bumbling team of Stan and Mitch. While the game fell a bit short of it’s promises of your outcomes drastically being different because of your choices, it really doesn’t matter. You could strip away all the decision making, and you’d still have a gripping and intense story that you struggle to put down.
  3. XboxEra
    May 26, 2022
    85
    Road 96 is fun to play, a challenge, and also makes you question your political beliefs. Play this game, help others and always vote against fascism.
  5. SomosXbox
    Apr 14, 2022
    85
    Road 96 is a very good game, with side characters that become the main characters. The way the story is told through a character who is a "spectator" but whose decisions influence the world and those around him is a wise move.
  6. Generación Xbox
    Apr 19, 2022
    83
    Road 96 takes us to a country ruled by a totalitarian dictator. While you run looking for a better life, you will try to change Petria’s fate with your decisions. A title that is definitely worth playing.
  7. Movies Games and Tech
    May 4, 2022
    80
    I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Road 96 as much as I did. I thought it would be slower and more disconnected. Instead, I experienced a rewarding and deep title where my choices mattered.
  8. MondoXbox
    Apr 14, 2022
    80
    Apart from being an excellent first-person adventure, Road 96 is an overwhelming experience and an emotional dive into the '90s, with their music and style. As you stand on the side of the road, fantasizing about a better future, you'll wish that journey never ends.
  9. TheXboxHub
    Apr 14, 2022
    80
    We didn’t realise how much we’d missed the episodic story framework of a Telltale game, and Road 96 – while not being from Telltale – is a long-lost cousin to it.
  10. GAMES.CH
    Apr 13, 2022
    77
    Road 96’s narrative may not reach the heights of the best the modern adventure genre has to offer, but it cleverly distracts with a cast of intriguing characters and the promise of procedurally generated road-trips. The novel concept doesn’t always work, but when it does, it offers a very personal and gripping journey through a country on the verge of dictatorship.

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2022
47
#47 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2022

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 51
  3. Negative: 8 out of 51
  1. CC_Andyman
    Jul 11, 2022
    3
    The completely obnoxious, heavy-handed, over-the-top political overtones turned me off almost immediately. If I want that nonsense, I'll turnThe completely obnoxious, heavy-handed, over-the-top political overtones turned me off almost immediately. If I want that nonsense, I'll turn on the news. No, thank you. I should also note that said politics were completely omitted from the trailer. Gee, I wonder why? I'm glad I just checked it out on Game Pass... if I had bought this game, I'd be angry. 3 for its original concept. 0 for everything else.… Full Review »
  2. Kirbyisthebest
    Jul 12, 2022
    3
    i played this blind on gamepass as I like story games lately. This is a unique and cool concept for the genre, fun cartoony world andi played this blind on gamepass as I like story games lately. This is a unique and cool concept for the genre, fun cartoony world and interesting characters and decent music. Unfortunately you realize very quickly it was written by somebody suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. It beats you in the brain with it with zero subtlety. To really enjoy this game and the choice aspect you have to view the world through a lens where Trump is a cartoony mustache twirling demonspawn. Every choice in the game boils down to three viewpoints of a basic stereotyped modern American leftist. Option 1: Vote for Hillary because she is not Trump. Option 2: Violently overthrow tyrannical dictator and slaver fascist Trump because he eats babies. Option 3: You are selfish and only care about yourself. Those are your only options as a human in this world and every major choice in the game is one of those three options basically. I kind of did a mix of 2 and 3 and ended up feeling like my choices didn't really matter at all for the finale. None of the themes and simplistic childish political metaphors felt like they were appropriate for this cartoony silly world, and they're definitely outdated if you're playing after 2018 or so. I still finished it because I thought the ending might be better or surprise me but I hated the quick and simple ending and should have expected it. All in all I should have never played it, wasted time. Still, there is a pretty solid game in here, and if you have TDS still you'll probably love it. I liked most of the cartoon characters and atmosphere and music and some of the dialogue. The unique and randomized layout of the game was really great too. I feel like somebody could take the basic framework of this game and make something way better. Either make the story more serious and get intelligent adults to write it, or make it more silly and over the top or just not solely about TDS. There's a way to do this same message and theme with a technique called subtlety that the developers are unfamiliar with… Full Review »
  3. Yura_zb
    Apr 15, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. The game is just incredibly beautiful and also fascinates with its pleasant races. I love to play it… Full Review »
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