Summary
Rockstar Games’Grand Theft Auto 6is one of the most highly anticipated titles in gaming. With the first official trailer coming out at the tail end of last year, 2024 started off with a renewed round of hype for the sixth main entry in the legendary open-world crime series.Grand Theft Auto 6has been on the horizon for years, and the wait for it will continue for a fair bit, at least as the situation stands currently.
In 2019, developer Vblank Entertainment releasedShakedown Hawaii,an indie title that flew fairly under the radar at the time. Technically a sequel to the studio’s previous outing,Retro City Rampage,Shakedown Hawaiisees gamers returning to that world 30 years after those events for another adventure in its 1980/90s influenced world. WithGrand Theft Autofans likely having to wait until at least 2025to get hands-on with the latest incarnation, now might be a great time for them to check out whatShakedown Hawaiihas on offer since it hits many ofGTA’s vibes with its stylish setting, satirical story, and gameplay/mission design.
Shakedown Hawaiiis currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch, and was one of the last titles to be ported to the Wii and Wii U.
Shakedown Hawaii Channels Old School Grand Theft Auto with Modern Satire
Shakedown Hawaii’s Mix of Grand Theft Auto’s Sensibilities and Style
Shakedown Hawaiiis avibrant pixel art gamewhere players take on the role of a shady CEO, who is informed by his loyal “Consultant” that his corporation and other business ventures are rapidly heading into bankruptcy. This spurs him back into action to regain his spot among the leading companies in the city by any means necessary. This nameless CEO is also “assisted” at times by his exuberantly youthful and ambitious (if not particularly savvy) son, Scooter. The dynamic makes for some truly hilarious moments and scenes, as the group bump heads with other outlandish characters and find themselves in situations that would fit right at home in anyGTAtitle.
Utilizing a classic top-down perspective and armed with a range of familiar weapons like baseball bats, molotovs, and various firearms, fans must muscle out the CEO’s competition inShakedown Hawaii’s neon-soaked late 1980s atmosphere in ways similar to many ofGrand Theft Auto’s missions. When not overtaking rival businesses by ruthlessly hyper-violent (and often absurd) means, players must also keep an eye on their empire via an extensive management system, upgrading and expanding their holdings to keep the profits rolling in.
And though set in aheavily 80s-influenced game world,Shakedown Hawaiireferences and lampoons much more modern items and technology both within and beyond videogames, with elements like lootboxes and social media influencers being just some of the targets of its scathing sendups. There are also arcade challenge/leaderboard and free roaming modes for players who want more of its action in a less story-focused framework.
Shakedown Hawaii is a Great Appetizer While Waiting for Grand Theft Auto 6’s Main Course
WithGrand Theft Auto 6returning to Vice City,Shakedown Hawaiiis perhaps even a better fit for fans to check out, as its open-world tropical setting contains many ofGTA’s elements in this and other regards.Shakedown Hawaiiincorporates sensibilities and aspects from both the originalGTAtitles, and some of the latter pop culture and design facets that have arrived on the scene since. As anticipation and speculation forGTA 6will certainly continue to grow until its release, players looking for a satisfying experience to keep them busy can find one inShakedown Hawaii.
