Roadside Research
OpenCritic
Fair
OpenCritic Score
Score Distribution
"With a special emphasis on real-time management, a nostalgic presentation/narrative tone, and a diverse array of supernatural monsters and weapons, RESEARCH and DESTROY is a unique turn-based/tactical RPG that encourages speed of action without diminishing the process of decision making. However, the game's reliance on recurring enemy spawns in random positions is problematic to promote any strategy development and contributes to a feeling of repetition, a feeling also associated with the scarcity of unique objectives and bosses."
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About Roadside Research
Roadside Research drops you onto Earth as an alien squad running a gas station on February 12, 2026. Cybernetic Walrus developed this title under Oro Interactive to simulate mundane retail work while hiding your true identity. You play on PC or Xbox Series X|S with up to three other humans or bots in single player or co-op modes. The premise is simple yet absurd. Your team must restock shelves and pump gas without blowing their cover. Every task builds cover story skills needed for a future invasion. The game treats these human chores with deadpan seriousness while hiding sci-fi chaos beneath the surface of everyday retail life.
Gameplay
Sessions involve managing inventory, handling cash registers, and refueling vehicles under pressure. You switch between stocking aisles, serving customers, and monitoring alien scanners that track Earth surveillance levels. A typical hour sees you juggling mundane tasks with covert data collection. The turn-based combat system appears when things go wrong, letting you defend your station or escape detection. Controls feel tight for retail actions but shift smoothly during skirmishes. Dialogue options matter because a slip-up triggers alarms. You can play solo or split roles across four players where one person pumps gas while another hacks the computer terminal. The pace varies from slow customer service to frantic cover-ups depending on how many humans spot your antennas.
What Players Think
Critics and players show mixed but generally positive vibes with an OpenCritic score of 74 out of 100. Only 61.54% of reviewers recommend the title despite some calling it unintentionally comical. GameGrin gave it a high 95 noting fun dialogue while PSX Brasil awarded it 80 for its innocent humor. Reviewers praise the unpretentious combat system and how it balances retail sims with alien themes. The community mood leans toward lighthearted enjoyment rather than serious challenge. Players report average playtimes around 12 hours for a full campaign but extend sessions significantly in co-op mode. Some users mention replay value stems from different customer interactions and failed cover stories. The game sits at a historical low of $12.25 on Gamesplanet which drives interest during sales events.
PlayPile's Take
Roadside Research works best if you enjoy chaotic co-op moments over polished graphics or deep mechanics. The price point makes it an easy buy for anyone wanting a lighthearted simulation with alien twists. You will find 12 achievements to track including those for specific cover-up scenarios and inventory management milestones. This title suits players who laugh at absurdity more than those seeking serious strategy. It fails as a deep RPG or realistic simulator but succeeds as a party game for laughs. Skip it if you hate turn-based combat or prefer fast-paced action shooters. The co-op mode shines brightest when friends coordinate their cover stories and fail spectacularly together.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
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