It seems like adventure games are returning in full glory, with Day of the Tentacle, Wonder Boy, and other beloved classics making a strong and welcome comeback. And, Full Throttle Remastered is yet another cult classic revving it’s way onto modern consoles and PCs, with upgraded visuals and audio, while still retaining everything that made this game so good back in the day.
Developed and published by Double Fine, Full Throttle Remastered tells the story of a biker gang who end up in the middle of a devious corporate kerfuffle. Ben, leader of the Polecats is wrongly accused of murder, and it’s up to him and Mo, a mechanic of respectable talent, to set things right. The story, while simplistic at first glance, is supported by some really clever writing, excellent visual presentation, and fantastic world building.
The writing is probably the strongest part of Full Throttle, with classics such as “I’m not putting my lips on that” still bringing out chuckles ever so often. Other remarks are similarly funny, and lengthy dialogues or monologues are often ridiculously hilarious. It’s like watching a Tarantino movie, where the plot shines because of how good the dialogues are, and how well they are delivered. Roy Conrad’s and Mark Hamill’s voice-work is absolutely spot on here, with other supporting cast being just as good.
While, the game is no graphical showcase, the visual upgrade and art style does a great job of capturing the essence of the time and tone of the game. You can switch between the old and new graphics and audio at any time, and the difference is immediately noticeable. While it’s not as stark as something like Wonder Boy, but the work gone into making this is easily appreciable.
There’s a great look to Full Throttle, making it feel like a mix of biker-culture blended in with some sci-fi post apocalyptic future. The Cavefish gang have an almost Mad Max vibe going for them. The law enforcement have this flying car that lend a Bladerunner-esque sci-fi tone to the game. The short duration you are out on the road fighting other gangs does an adequate job of reminding you that this is also a hostile world. Other characters you meet along the way are all brimming with personality.
The main gameplay has remained mostly unchanged, and this is where the game isn’t always at its best. Many of the puzzles can feel a little too vague, with trial and error being the only way to figure the solution out. While the initial puzzles are quite straightforward, if you’re not familiar with adventure games, you will find yourself getting stuck often. You can always press a button to highlight interactive objects, but because of the game’s perspective, you can be easily confused as to where to go or what to do. I’ll admit to having referred a guide at one point while inside a cave. To be fair though, once I got the solution, I did feel a little stupid for not having paid more attention and figured it out myself.
The puzzles are clever though, and the game overall is a lot of fun. Even in solving the puzzles I felt that I was learning more about the world, and there was never a dull moment for me.
For a game with such a minimal aesthetic, it’s filled with style. Great music plays in the background, action scenes are intense, and Ben and Mo come across as totally badass.
Despite some minor gameplay frustrations, Full Throttle Remastered is a really enjoyable experience. It’s a great look at where adventure games have come from, and how they have evolved over the years. And it’s high praise for Full Throttle Remastered when it can easily stand among the best adventure games of today.
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