When reflecting on some iconic games in some genres from the past, and then playing certain ones from the present day, there can be times where you’re almost inclined to shed a tear. In the earliest days of the first-person shooter genre, playing the likes of DOOM and Duke Nukem 3D, it was hard to envision where the genre would go in the future, and then when Quake and that next early generation arrived it was mind-blowing. Fast forward a few decades and I couldn’t have possibly imagined the high-speed, high-intensity, complete screen-filling chaos of the modern games in the genre, even the better indies… and you can be sure to count Turbo Overkill in that general category.

Whether it’s the dark and brooding, rain-filled skylines you’ll explore, the pretty freaky menagerie of creatures who’ll be coming at you, the over-the-top arsenal of weapons and augments you’ll be using, or simply your ability to slide and cut through enemies with a freaking chainsaw leg… this is a game that lives for excess. I’ll admit in the early going it did take a little effort to fully get into the rhythm of things, but once I accumulated a few weapons, got used to the right stick’s controls for aiming, and came to deeply appreciate things like the alternative fire modes most weapons have, things got fun in a hurry. Granted, nuance isn’t something you’ll find here, but if you’re a fan of excess in every direction it should suit you well.

That isn’t to say that everything about the game is ideal. Whether it would be for the benefit of higher framerates and more buttery performance, if you’re able to enjoy this on another platform it would likely at least feel better… though the Switch generally performs admirably given the sheer volume of what can be on the screen with some regularity. Given my general dislike for using a controller for these shooters, rather than a mouse and a keyboard, the controls already aren’t my favorite, but specifically in this case the current lack of gyro aiming as an option is also a bummer as those can really help close the gap when you’re looking for fine aiming control. Last, while I can appreciate the stage designs that have you ascending tall buildings, the fact that it’s pretty easy to fall off, making you then plod your way back to where you were on a periodic basis, can really pull you out of the action.

Despite these problems that shouldn’t be fully discounted, on the whole the experience still manages to fly high overall. Of the indie first-person shooters on the Switch, I’d say that this is the most visceral of those that generally adhere to the classic form. Yes, there are some others like BulletStorm that take insanity to another level, but it really chased down its own distinctive feel that strayed from the classic formula, whereas Turbo Overkill has really embraced it and tried to take it as far as it was able.