It was a slow transition, but in the years following the 32-bit console era, vehicular combat games started going out of fashion. It's not like the concept behind them is bad — arguably, anyway — it's just that they were no longer vogue. Perhaps that will change with the release of Road Redemption, the Kickstarter-funded game that names the 16-bit classic Road Rash as an inspiration, which just received its final release date. Backers and genre fans can expect to see the PC, Linux, and Mac versions on October 15, while PlayStation 4 and Xbox One users can expect the game on January 15 of next year.

Road Redemption was originally slated for an August 2014 release, but that date has clearly come and gone. The reasoning, according to developer Ian Fisch, was to take the time and input afforded from the PC beta versions and use it to ensure the game was as good as it can be. And, according to Fisch, the team wanted to avoid the mistakes seen in other recent Kickstarter-backed titles.

"We've seen Kickstarted games like Armikrog and Mighty No. 9 release before they were ready," Fisch said, "and I don't think that satisfies anyone".

Fisch also stated that those sorts of problems have lead Road Redemption developer PixelDash Studios toward indefinitely postponing their previously-planned PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the title.

"What happened with Mighty No. 9 shows that a potentially great game can be dragged down by trying to bring it to too many platforms," he said. "By putting the focus on PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, and PS4, we can maximise Road Redemption's physics, AI, and visuals, rather than be hamstrung by trying to support lower spec machines."

Regardless of the time it's taken to complete, Road Redemption touts a style of gameplay that isn't seen often enough in modern gaming. Regardless of how well it manages to sell, perhaps user interest in the title will be enough to spark a resurgance in the genre.

Road Rash spiritual successor Road Redemption gets final release date, Eurogamer