Scrap Ridersis an homage to adventure and brawler games from the 90s. It specifically feels like a spiritual successor toFull Throttle, one ofthe many great LucasArts games from that era. That game did get an HD remaster a while back and it is worth visiting if players missed it the first time around and enjoyScrap Riders.
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As forScrap Riders’plot, it involves a man named Rast and his robot companion 50N1 doing odd jobs around town as part of a biker gang. The following tips will help solve a few of the game’s early puzzles as well as instruct players on how to conduct themselves in the rest of the adventure.
6Part Adventure Game, Part Brawler
The gameplay balance ofScrap Ridersfavors the adventure side more, with the balance being somewhere in the 70/30 range.The brawling aspectsare reserved for short snippets of the experience. They’re more like mini-games to break up the pacing of wandering around and clicking on random objects.
Even thoughScrap Ridersis borrowing from classicslikeFull Throttle, the interface is not that demanding. Players get four direct options like the ability to observe or talk to NPCs. As a result, even beginners should be able to get a hang of the game without much trouble and should thus not shy away from it.
5Rast’s Room
The game begins with Rast waking up, practically nude, in his bedroom. The puzzle here is to get Rast’s locker open so that he can get dressed. There are a lot of objects players can interact with which can create somefunny dialogue moments. For players in a rush who want to complete this section quickly, there are two easy steps.
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First, they should walk over to the red door on the other side of the room and observe it. This will give Rast his locker code. They can then click on the locker next to the door and Rast will automatically open it with the code. This will allow them to get the cartridge, combine it with the adapter, and then go into VR. It’s as easy as that and then the true adventure game begins after Rast gets dressed.
4The Bar Scene
Rast’s first mission is to go to a bar and find a man named Rotte. It’s not as easy as walking into the bar though, as there is a guard out front. This is an adventure game and the genre rarely makes things simple except, perhaps, forthe TellTale games. The quickest way in is to read the flyer taped to the window to the left of this guard.
After players learn that the bar needs help, that can become a dialogue option. Once inside, players should talk to the bartender and then to the drunk at the far left side of the bar. He wants a beer in exchange for a card to get into Rotte’s inner chambers. The bartender will gladly help and that’s that.
3Try To Combine Everything
If players are stuck, they should spend their time trying to combine every item that they have in their inventory. Sometimes, it will surprise players to see what will and what won’t combine. That is the very nature ofan adventure gamelikeScrap Riders.
Trying to beeline throughScrap Ridersis one strategy but doing so will rob players of the experience. They will miss out on hidden items that can unlock things later on. For example, players can combine a coin and gum in the bar for some hidden fun. Outside the bar, there is a broken pump that players can steal the hose from which will become useful later on.
2Using Objects
Using items inScrap Ridersis a bit more complicated than it needs to be. For example, opening a door once a keycard is acquired will not have Rast automatically use it on the door. Players must go into the menu and highlight the keycard first. They must also be close enough to the door to use that item on it.
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This is true for all item interactions in the game. If players are close enough, the menu will ask if they want to use an item on the object outside; be it a door or a person. It takes some time to get used to since not everything is automatic. If players get stuck, they should try using items on people as much as possible. It’s the same strategy as trying to combine objects in the menu. These are clunky clues to dish out butmost adventure gamesare kind of all about players stumbling into answers in the weirdest ways possible.
1Dialogue Choices Rarely Matter
There is no right or wrong way to answer a question inScrap Riders. Dialogue choices will rarely lock players out of conversations, unlikesome bigger RPGs. Some NPCs are set up like puzzles though. If questions are asked in the right order, they can sometimes lead to new options.
The overall tip is to not worry about messing up. Players should keep trying different avenues until these dialogue puzzles are won. Again,Scrap Ridersis the type of adventure game that rewards not losing hope in the face of defeat. Players should resist the temptation of reading complete FAQs about the game too. Part of the fun of an adventure game is solving the mysteries within without much help.
Scrap Riderswas released on June 16, 2025, and is available on PC and Switch.
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