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Descenders

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 4 min
Short description: 2019 cycling video game
Descenders
Descenders cover.jpg
Developer(s)RageSquid
Publisher(s)No More Robots[lower-alpha 1]
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
Release
  • Linux, macOS, Windows, Xbox One
  • 7 May 2019[1]
  • PlayStation 4
  • 25 August 2020[2]
  • Nintendo Switch
  • 6 November 2020[3]
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • 8 June 2021[4]
  • Android, iOS
  • 4 August 2022[5]
Genre(s)Extreme sports
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Descenders is a cycling game developed by RageSquid and published by No More Robots. It was released for Linux, macOS, Windows, and Xbox One on 7 May 2019, for PlayStation 4 on 25 August 2020, for Nintendo Switch on 6 November 2020 and Xbox Series X/S on 8 June 2021. A mobile version for iOS and Android was released on 4 August 2022.

Gameplay

Descenders is a downhill mountain biking video game which puts players in different environments. Each level in the game is procedurally generated.[6] In each level, the player races a downward course on a relatively dirt trail.[7] During the trials, the player gains opportunities to perform tricks with their bicycle.[8] Each level also presents a set of random objectives to complete, such as performing a trick a certain number of times, or finishing a race within a certain time.[9] Each level also contains checkpoints which serve as respawn points upon bailing. Bail often, and the player fails the level.[10]

Development

The game came about to Dutch studio RageSquid because the developers noted a lack of extreme sports video games on the market. Having grown up with several such games they decided to make their own to see if there was still a market for it. Prior to deciding on mountain biking the team considered other sports including Rock Climbing and Wing Suiting amongst others.[11] At one point they prototyped a Pogo stick game which "was hilarious to look at, but it was hard to make a fun game out of it".[11] In addition to Extreme Sport games the team also enjoyed Roguelikes such as Spelunky and FTL and decided to combine the two genres and "fell in love with the result and decided to continue along that path".[12]

Early on the team struggled with getting the physics right feeling that a good physics system was make or break for the game. As such the team spent the first few months designing one before working on the rest of the game with RageSquid stating that the Skate series was the team's biggest inspiration for this aspect.[11] For tricks RageSquid opted against having a list of preset button combinations instead opting for a system about "combining motions" which they stated makes the final game "more about expressing a personal style, which makes it more of a genuine extreme sports experience".[12]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PC) 78/100[13]
(PS4) 75/100[14]
(XONE) 77/100[15]
(NS) 73/100[16]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Nintendo Life8/10 stars[17]
Nintendo World Report6.5/10[19]
Push Square7/10 stars[18]

Descenders received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[13][15]

Mitch Bowman of PC Gamer felt optimistic about Descenders' progress, criticizing its lack of variety in features while praising the variety in level design.[6] Tim Rogers of Kotaku called the game "fast and smooth", and commented about the nauseating thrill the framerate gave him.[7] Matthew Kato at Game Informer praised the branching level structure.[8] Brendan Caldwell of Rock, Paper, Shotgun enjoyed the humour of the game, but was not impressed at the cosmetic rewards and the level design.[9] Dante Douglas at Polygon gave the early access version of the game a 7.0, praising the procedural generation while criticizing the tight controls.[10]

Notes

  1. ↑ PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch retail versions published by Sold Out.
    iOS and Android version developed and published by Noodlecake Studios.

References

  1. ↑ B, Todd (2019-05-01). "Descenders biking to launch 1.0 on May 7th" (in en-US). https://linuxgameconsortium.com/descenders-biking-launch-1-0-may-7th/. 
  2. ↑ "Descenders is coming to PS4 August 25th and Switch later this year" (in en-US). 2020-07-23. https://www.godisageek.com/2020/07/descenders-is-coming-to-ps4-august-25th-and-switch-later-this-year/. 
  3. ↑ "Descenders finally rolls onto Switch on November 6th" (in en-US). 2020-09-30. https://www.nintendo.destructoid.com/descenders-finally-rolls-onto-switch-on-november-6th/. 
  4. ↑ "Descenders to be Optimized for Xbox Series X|S with 120 FPS support, announces physical release" (in en). 2021-05-20. https://www.windowscentral.com/descenders-be-optimized-xbox-series-xs-120-fps-support-announces-physical-release. 
  5. ↑ "Downhill Mountain Biking Game 'Descenders' is Coming to iOS and Android August 4th, Pre-Orders Live Now – TouchArcade" (in en-US). 30 June 2022. https://toucharcade.com/2022/06/30/descenders-iphone-ipad-android-release-date/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bowman, Mitch (2018-02-09). "Downhill biking game Descenders could be the heir to Skate's throne" (in en-US). https://www.pcgamer.com/downhill-biking-game-descenders-could-be-the-heir-to-skates-throne/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Rogers, Tim (19 January 2018). "We Biked Down Some Big Procedurally Generated Hills In Descenders" (in en-US). https://kotaku.com/descenders-is-a-game-about-coasting-down-huge-graphica-1822240950. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kato, Matthew. "The Sports Desk – The Downhill Rush Of Descenders" (in en). Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/04/03/the-sports-desk-the-downhill-rush-of-descenders.aspx. Retrieved 2019-05-04. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Caldwell, Brendan (2018-01-29). "8 reasons to play Descenders (and some reasons to not)" (in en-US). https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/01/29/8-reasons-to-play-descenders-and-some-reasons-to-not/. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Douglas, Dante (2018-02-09). "Descenders review". https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/9/16994920/descenders-review-pc-mac-linux. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Interview: Descenders Looks Ready To Conquer the Extreme Sports Mountain". https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/interview-descenders-steam-early-access-xbox-ps4-switch/#5. Retrieved 24 September 2020. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Mcferran, Damien. "Descenders is Tony Hawk meets roguelike, and it's coming to consoles". https://www.redbull.com/us-en/descenders-interview. Retrieved 24 September 2020. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Descenders for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/descenders/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  14. ↑ "Descenders for PlayStation 4 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/descenders/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Descenders for Xbox One Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/descenders/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. 
  16. ↑ "Descenders for Switch Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/descenders/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. 
  17. ↑ O'Reilly, PJ (6 November 2020). "Descenders Review (Switch)". https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/descenders. 
  18. ↑ Banas, Graham (23 August 2020). "Descenders Review (PS4)". https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/descenders. 
  19. ↑ Green, Steven (6 November 2020). "Descenders (Switch) Review". http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/55445/descenders-switch-review. 



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