Desert Child

A low-fi hoverbike racer with oodles of charm and style, but not a lot under the hood.

Desert Child has interesting ambitions that never quite develop into an enjoyable experience

Desert Child is stylistically fantastic and has some of the more exciting racing gameplay we've seen this year, but it really suffers from its short length. There's an interesting, colourful world to explore in Olympia, but unfortunately things ends when it feels like Desert Child is just getting started. Still, it's an admirable effort from a talented one-man team.

Overall, Desert Child provides high-octane, arcade-style fun, with its quirky story and style providing a delicious cherry on top. The soundtrack is also great, with a unique, funky hip-hop sound that complements its offbeat humour and presentation. Combine this with its retro visuals and you have a great addition to your indie collection, with a high replay value, particularly when playing with friends.

Desert Child certainly won't be for everyone, but players who approach the game without expectations will be treated to a lighthearted and amusing experience that doesn't overstay its welcome.

Though its pixellated visuals and bright environments do provide brief pleasantries in the first hour or so, the little variety in its missions and very reason to stay invested other than grinding until the climax results in a game caught between two minds, committing, sadly, to neither one in the process.

Desert Child for the Nintendo Switch intends to be a simple, unpretentious racing game. Unfortunately, other than a pleasant art style and references to Cowboy Bebop, the gameplay on offer doesn't stand out or add anything remarkable compared to the existing catalogue. A rather dull experience, without a significant degree of challenge and very much unexplored by its development, Desert Child does not amount to a recommended racing game for the Nintendo Switch.

Desert Child's final outcome is not enough to secure a completely satisfying experience. While its game play can be pleasant, but equally limited. After several hours its game play loop ends up disappointing and the initial curiosity to explore its beautiful city and mechanics loses itself on what is a forgettable quest, despite the excellent soundtrack.

Desert Child has its moments, but most of the experience feels shallow. The repetitiveness of wandering through the town after each race was more of a distraction than anything. The retro-inspired pixel art is enjoyable, and most of the game's music works within the racing setting, but I had to mute the game when walking through the town.

Desert Child is a real tribute to some of the greatest 90s pop culture, and it is also a good and innovative racing game.