Just released in early access on Steam and developed by Jutsu Games, Rustler is a dedicated throwback to the original top-down perspective Grand Theft Auto games before the series went fully 3D with Grand Theft Auto III. Rustler puts players in the shoes of a medieval criminal, set free in a clockwork open-world ready to be explored and plundered. Packed with numerous references to popular culture and thoroughly a tongue-in-cheek affair, Rustler never takes itself seriously.
Rustler aims to bring many of Grand Theft Auto's features into a medieval setting. This includes hilarious additions like a hirable minstrel to become a "human radio," since the constraints of the time period don't really allow for custom radio stations. The minstrel follows the player character, plucking away on a lute and singing while colorful music notes ascend from his model. And, of course, the minstrel can be killed if the player decides to get into some trouble, a wayward arrow putting a halt to any musical accompaniment.
Players take on the role of Guy, a lowborn peasant thug who is tired of spending his days plowing fields and wishes for something greater. Along with his friend (appropriately named "Buddy"), Guy decides to fake a blue-blooded background so that he may enter into the Grand Tournament and win the hand of a wealthy royal lady, along with some riches. What follows is a series of mishaps, misfortunes and hijinks as the two criminals get into all manner of illegal activity in their quest for renown. Rustler has an interesting premise, but even the developers have acknowledged that gameplay, not narrative, is meant to be at the heart of the experience.
Those familiar with the old-school GTA open-world style will instantly be comfortable with Rustler's mechanics. Players can antagonize the local constabulary (to disastrous results), complete missions found throughout the open farmlands and pastures, and (of course) steal any horse left riderless -- or any horse with a rider. There are copious mini-games to engage in, like jousting and medieval boxing matches, and Rustler's world design is clearly inspired by the sandbox style of Grand Theft Auto.
Rustler's character speak in a gibberish style similar to The Sims, one that is equally reminiscent of the way characters emoted in the classic Monty Python animated snippets in films like Monty Python and the Holy Grail. This cannot be a coincidence given the light tone and setting of Rustler. This is only further confirmed with a rather blatant encounter with a Black Knight-like character straight out of Monty Python, who shrugs off the loss of his leg with a reference to the classic retort, "tis but a flesh wound."
Humor is at the core of Rustler, and, in many ways, the game pulls its jokes off. The very premise of the game and its "Grand Theft Horse" marketing indicates to players that its tone and world are lighthearted and silly. The game prides itself on being historically inaccurate, and it's filled with all manner of ridiculous characters like a pox-marked monk and a rather disinterested royal who wishes that combatants in a joust in her honor would both just break their necks already.
Humor even permeates the mission structure, with the protagonist placed into a series of ridiculous scenarios. There are Holy Hand Grenades, swords to pull from stones and more ridiculous setups that often lead to a humorous conclusion. One sends Guy after a set of choice armor worn by the "Iron Maid," a heroine who fights against injustice in the mud-soaked streets.
The player must team up with a fellow scoundrel known as "Captain Middle Age," who rejects his moniker by painting washboard abs onto his breastplate. After wreaking enough havoc to draw out the hero, the two thugs quickly realize they are far outmatched and can only escape after Captain Middle Age creates a diversion by stripping down to nothing. This is just one of the many ridiculous missions that Jutsu Games has come up with.
Overall, Rustler is a silly and often hilarious game that brings two familiar gaming concepts together to produce a lighthearted and unique action title. Jutsu has shown that the incredibly popular GTA style can be employed to great effect across a variety of settings. The light tone of Rustler only further serves to illustrate this with its similarities to GTA's satirical sendup of modern American society. Fans of sandbox experiences and funny games should definitely check out this madcap medieval adventure, which is currently available in early access on Steam.
0 Comments