Riviera '79 (No Nonsense Games) Free
Game title: Riviera '79
Game description: A 2D, top-down, fast-paced, vertically scrolling racer inspired by Sega's classic 1979 arcade game Monaco GP. The objective is simple: survive and achieve the highest score possible. The game consists of two phases: standard play and extended play. The game begins in standard play mode, where you have infinite lives but race against the clock. If the timer reaches zero before you achieve the qualifying score required to enter extended play mode, the game ends. Upon surpassing 2,000 points, you qualify for extended play mode. In this phase, the clock is removed, but you have a limited number of lives. You start with one life and earn an additional life for every 2,000 points scored. Crashing results in the loss of one life, and when all lives are lost, the game ends.
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Production - 72%
72%
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Fun - 82%
82%
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Depth - 60%
60%
Summary
Riviera ’79 is an addictive, old-school high-score chaser that’s a lot of fun to play but challenging to master. The game’s graphics are quite appealing, featuring a gritty late ’70s aesthetic, and when you hit high gear, the action moves at a blistering pace.
At first glance, I thought the game might resemble Le Mans for the Commodore 64, but it doesn’t quite reach the same level due to the lack of progressive gameplay. The limited variation in track segments can make it feel somewhat repetitive, and progressing into Extended Play mode largely depends on memorizing the opponent car patterns. While the developers aimed to recreate the Monaco GP arcade experience, they have laid a solid foundation that could evolve into a truly memorable arcade-style game by incorporating modern design sensibilities.
That said, none of these limitations stopped me from trying again and again to beat my high score and delve deeper into Extended Play mode. As a nostalgic arcade-style racer, Riviera ’79 ultimately succeeds.
Overall
71%User Review
( votes)Pros
- Gritty style graphics
- Moves super smooth and fast
- Addictive and fun
Cons
- Repetitive tracks segments
- Success is based on memory rather than skill
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