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Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition

Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition

Nightdive Studios, Apogee Software, New Blood Interactive · released Jul 31, 2023

Action

The HUNT Returns... AGAIN! Play the original Cult Classic '90s FPS remastered in 4K Ultrawide with UNLIMITED frame rates, RESTORED content, NEW episodes, a LEVEL EDITOR, online MULTIPLAYER, LUDICROUS gameplay options and MORE. Make 'em EAT LEAD or they'll bury you in a lunchbox!

86
VGC Score
Declininghigh confidence

anchored at patch: “Ludicrous Edition v1.1” (2y ago)

85%
At launch
92%
Steam all-time
70%
Press
94%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)7026
All-time Steam reviews92%86374
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)94%88284
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Apr 12, 2024) · 284 reviews sampled · 250 total reviews in window · weighted 153.2 up / 10 down · computed 5h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (21)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 70
    trust 76Sep 28, 2023

    Existing fans will feel so well served by this release that there needn't be any hesitation in picking it up. Those dipping their toes for the first time should know that it operates in a way that has aged differently to other classic first-person shooters. Whereas Doom's combat and fluidity remain free and immediate, its axis of movement more realistic and its stage layouts more controlled, Rise of the Triad functions around its own, unique design parameters, where violence and abstraction reign supreme. Learn its maps, the versatility of its weaponry, and how to make best use of its playground elements, and there's a game here with the capacity to enthrall.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 70Oct 11, 2023

    While old-school gamers like me may remember the name, perhaps there was a reason I didn’t remember much else…

    read full review ↗
  • 83
    trust 69Aug 7, 2023

    Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition is hands down one of the best remasters ever made that will no doubt please all fans yearning for a sourceport. It’s one of the rare cases when the recreation outshines the original product. Rise of the Triad may be a divisive game, but there’s nothing divisive about Ludicrous Edition. Nightdive has once again upped the standards for remasters. If you’re a fan of the original, Ludicrous Edition is a must-buy at full price. If you’re wanting to try the game for the first time, try out the demo and see if it’s for you. They hardly make games like these anymore.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 68Oct 23, 2023

    Rise of the Triad is back, and it makes me happy, but if you didn’t have nostalgia for the series, you might wonder what all the fuss is about. The game hasn’t aged as well as others from its era and sometimes it moves TOO frantically for its own good. Still, I love the era where even the most obscure title can somehow be resurrected, and I am glad it exists. I just don’t recommend diving in unless you have a soft spot for the quirky shooter from its original release.

    read full review ↗
  • 50
    trust 66Nov 16, 2023

    If you've never had the pleasure of playing Rise of The Triad before and want to familiarise yourself with it, you're probably better off picking up the 2013 remake. While the remaster retains the spirit of the original, some things haven't aged well, and there are a few things missing.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 66Aug 12, 2023

    If you're looking to experience some truly old-school gaming, or you're curious about the evolution of FPS games, Rise Of The Triad: Ludicrous Edition provides gamers with an oft-overlooked chapter of gaming history.

    read full review ↗
  • 50
    trust 65Sep 28, 2023

    I may be in the minority on this one, but Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition was a big miss for me. I couldn't get into the repetitive level design, fighting the same small pool of enemies, and dealing with one of the worst arsenals in first-person gaming. The only redeeming feature for me was the ability to play as a dog, which was something that was short-lived as the novelty wore off within a few levels.

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    trust 60Oct 14, 2023

    Rise of the Triad Ludicrous Edition is hands down the gold standard of re-releases. It runs beautifully, it has every single officially released Expansion pack and a brand-new one on top of that. It even has quality-of-life tweaks such as "Nerf the Monk HP" and every version of the soundtrack you need. It is frankly the definitive way to play Rise of the Triad. This is an absolute labor of love and if you are a fan of the older shooters this is an absolute treat. If you were a fan of Rise of the Triad back when it was released or even the remake then you need this game in your life. The love and respect the developers have for the original game just shine through every single pore of this title.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 60Jul 27, 2023

    When it comes to their work in this Rise of the Triad remaster, I have nothing but the utmost respect. The problem is that Rise of the Triad is very underwhelming, even for shooters of its time. Boring level design, nearly nonexistent geometry, excessively fast-paced gameplay, an emphasis on platforming when there isn’t even a dedicated means to jump, average-at-best weaponry… this is a game that wouldn’t have impressed me that much in 1995, let alone today.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 60Sep 28, 2023

    Rise of the Triad Ludicrous Edition is brutal and a stark reminder of the challenges of shooters from the 90s. It’s also a very full and fulfilling package with four episodes, full 4K support, controller rebinding and even some online multiplayer. At an attractive price point, this is fantastic value for money, but it definitely won’t be a game for everyone. Regardless, Night Dive Studios have yet again proven their understanding, care and attention to detail for the classics and making sure everyone has the opportunity to experience them at their absolute best.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 60Sep 8, 2023

    While I am a massive lover of Rise of the Triad, I feel that the Ludicrous Edition will possibly only appeal to die-hard fans and those who enjoy retro gaming. It is tough at times playing games that you loved yesteryear to find that the pizzaz that enthralled you has long been superseded by today’s games, therefore not luring modern gamers. I do hope that I am wrong, and I also hope that the online crossplay works well so that there are many multiplayer lobbies available in the future when it launches on console.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 60Jul 31, 2023

    Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition allows fans of retro shooters to experience an overlooked classic that help define the FPS genre. While we all remember the major titles that defined the genre, we also need to look back on the cult classics that were willing to experiment.

    read full review ↗

…and 9 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Ludicrous Edition v1.1
    Apr 12, 2024significant · resets scoring window