Remember the rush of chaining tricks in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater or the frantic thrill of navigating a chaotic city just-in-time in Crazy Taxi? Billy Goat Entertainment’s new bike messenger delivery game Parcel Corps, throws those beloved elements into a blender, adds a generous dash of wacky humor, and pours out a refreshingly nostalgic concoction. Strap on your helmet, grip the handlebars, and prepare to weave through bustling city on your trusty bike, all while dodging pedestrians, and the ever-present pressure of a ticking clock to deliver packages for a cast of truly bizarre characters. Parcel Corps is a lighthearted delivery-focused game with a modicum of repetition, but the things that happen in-between delivery points is where you’ll have the most fun.
The tongue planted firmly in-cheek with Parcel Corps, as there are three factions vying to be the top parcel company of the city. You’ve got the Wallaby Wheelers, East Coast Couriers, or Das-la Post. You can side with any one of them, and select from one of three individuals per company. You can even change your allegiance and paycheck to someone else if you’re looking to switch things up. The main goal of the game is to monopolize, impress, and sign-up businesses to your employer.
While unconventional, the controls are tight and responsive, allowing you to pull off impressive stunts with ease. Grinding rails, launching off ramps, and stringing together combos is immensely satisfying. You can build up a meter than can be used to “sprint” with a burst of speed that can close the distance, which could mean the difference of making your destination or not. Mastering these mechanics becomes second nature as you navigate the bustling city of New Island, a vibrant metropolis teeming with shortcuts, hidden paths, and plenty of opportunities to showcase your delivery prowess. Delivery jobs will be specific requests, ones that expire every so often, and then there’s Delivery Rush. This is a special mode where you take on any and all delivery jobs from all of the places you’ve established work with, and try to make as much money while delivering as many things as you can – it’s as stressful as it sounds, but really puts your skills to the test.
New Island itself is a living, breathing world that begs to be explored. The developers at Billy Goat Entertainment have meticulously crafted a distinct cityscape with eight regions, each offering unique challenges and aesthetics. From the bustling downtown core with its towering skyscrapers and holographic advertisements to the seedier underbelly with its graffiti-laden alleys and flickering neon signs, each area presents its own set of obstacles and secrets to uncover. Sharp turns, strategically placed ramps, and hidden pathways reward exploration, allowing you to shave precious seconds off your delivery times and rack up some serious points. Over the next twelve to fifteen hours or so, you’ll encounter repeating delivery points and NPCs that does grow stale, and doesn’t work in the game’s favor.
Billy Goat Entertainment doesn’t shy away from the absurd. Parcel Corps is peppered with laugh-out-loud moments, from the hilariously bizarre requests of your clients (think a grumpy bulldog demanding a birthday cake delivered precisely at 2:17 pm) to the outrageous advertisements plastered across billboards and buildings. The game’s witty writing keeps things lighthearted and adds a layer of charm to the experience. Whether a pizza parlor owner who has literal pizza on his face or a bull talking like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Parcel Corps injects humor into the everyday grind of the delivery business.
The denizens of New Island are just as quirky as the city itself. Your clientele ranges from everyday citizens to eccentric celebrities, each with their own unique personalities and delivery demands. You might find yourself racing across town to deliver a birthday cake to a grumpy bulldog one minute, and then carefully navigating a precarious rooftop obstacle course to deliver a rare orchid to a reclusive botanist the next. These diverse characters add another layer of charm to the world and keep the gameplay feeling fresh, as you never quite know what bizarre request will land in your inbox next.
Parcel Corps offers a surprising amount of replayability for a seemingly straightforward delivery game. Once you’ve conquered the main story campaign, there are numerous side objectives and challenges to keep you busy. These range from collecting hidden tokens scattered throughout the city to beating time trial records on specific delivery routes. The aforementioned point system also encourages experimentation, as you can unlock new bikes and equipment that cater to different playstyles. Whether you prefer a lightweight bike for maximum speed or a more robust one for tackling jumps and rough terrain, Parcel Corps offers options to customize your delivery experience.
While Parcel Corps looks absolutely gorgeous, is vibrant, and has a great cel-shaded look, there are no graphics options to speak of. There’s nothing to tweak or crank up, but all-in-all the game looks great and performs well on my PC.
My PC Specs:
– Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
– Intel Core i9 13900K @ 5.8GHz
– ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 ARGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler
– G.SKILL TRIDENT Z5 6000MHZ 64GB (32×2) DDR5 RAM
– ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X
– WD_BLACK SN850X M.2 (4 TB)
– LG UltraGear 34GP950B-G (21:9 Ultrawide @ 3440×1440)
Despite some minor stumbles, Parcel Corps is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, though the price of admission is a little steep. It’s a game that revels in its own silliness, offering a nostalgic blend of fast-paced action, exploration, and laugh-out-loud humor. If you’re looking for a game that will test your reflexes, tickle your funny bone, and keep you coming back for more, Parcel Corps is a more complex Crazy Taxi, and ride worth taking.
A Steam code was provided in advance by the publisher for review purposes
