Shakedown: Hawaii Reviews
Shakedown: Hawaii does many things right - its sense of humour, the 16-bit inspired graphics and the appeal of its game world are undeniably part of this group. Then there are other things which the game does not succeed in the same way, such as when it comes to keep up its pace interesting and compelling, mostly due to how repetitive its missions become and to the lack of sense of progression between the objectives. All factors considered, Shakedown: Hawaii is still a fun and enjoyable game, which could have been even better.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shakedown: Hawaii builds on its predecessor by improving its visuals and music massively. It does keep the unique humour, story and over the top action though, while the city building systems are a welcomed addition and I feel most players will enjoy what's on offer. You get quite a bit of game for your money and there is a lot to do in this uncanny little title.
Despite some repetitive mission design, Shakedown: Hawaii manages to entertain in much the same way as its predecessor. It swaps out pop culture references for jibes at the modern world, and it's an angle that slots right into the GTA-esque design. The business management aspects are what will keep you hooked, with each day bringing you more and more cash to splash. Its brand of action is simple but satisfying, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy the game if you're after some breezy open world antics -- just don't expect it to blow your socks (and sandals) off.
More than a "more of the same", Shakedown Hawaii improves almost everything it takes from Retro City Rampage and introduces new mechanics. Not everything works as it should, but it never lacks ambition. Moreover, his 16bit style is super cool.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It's a small price to pay for low-stakes arcade open world antics. Shakedown: Hawaii might play similarly to Retro City Rampage, but it takes place in a markedly different world. It's more than enough to warrant giving both games a shot, and a worthy successor to a now-seven-year-old game.
It may not reinvent the wheel for classic Grand Theft Auto experiences, but it’s nice that it keeps that spin going.
Despite that, I’m left with a sense of unfulfilled ambition. Shakedown: Hawaii presents itself as a unique real estate-centric twist on open-world action, but it seems satisfied to stick with a cheap rental.
Bite-sized missions and an engaging empire-building layer make Shakedown: Hawaii a great destination – whether you have minutes or hours to spare
A brisk free-roaming action game with a clicker-ish heart.