Introduction

Imagine if Crazy Taxi and a carnival ride had a very dizzy baby. That baby would be Roundabout, a delightfully weird indie driving game where you pilot a continuously rotating limousine through a neon-tinged cityscape while ferrying passengers, collecting trinkets, and occasionally committing vehicular nonsense. Developed and published by No Goblin LLC and released on PS4 in May 2015, Roundabout is the kind of game that sells itself on its hook alone: you drive in circles. It sounds ridiculous because it is ridiculous, and that's precisely the point. From the opening FMV (full-motion video) vignettes that introduce each passenger to the 1977-era tale of Georgio Manos - the world's first revolving limo driver - the game leans hard into a kitschy, retro vibe. The premise is simple, the execution is gloriously bonkers, and the longer you play the more you realize the rotating limo isn't a gimmick so much as the whole personality of the game wrapped around four wheels and a disco soundtrack. Whether you'll love it depends on how much you enjoy controlled chaos, quirky storytelling, and a structure that prefers bite-sized missions over sprawling sandbox epics.

Gameplay

Gameplay in Roundabout is a mashup of driving, puzzle timing, and pure slapstick. Your vehicle is locked into a constant spin, which means basic things like pulling up to a curb or threading through traffic become rhythmic puzzles rather than mundane chores. Missions typically ask you to pick up a passenger (introduced via short FMV cutscenes), drive them to a location, find collectibles, or perform some specific stunt. The inspiration is obvious: it borrows the nonstop passenger-livery loop from Crazy Taxi and the rotating-vehicle concept from Kurukuru Kururin, but it blends them into an open-world playground that rewards improvisation. Controls are simple but demand spatial thinking. You accelerate, brake, and steer, but because the limo is always twirling, steering becomes "steer and time" - you're constantly compensating for rotation, aiming your vehicle so the passenger door faces the curb at the right moment. That turns even basic drop-offs into a satisfying little choreography. Colliding with obstacles isn't a death sentence; failure is gentle. The game respawns you nearby, so every crash mostly feels like a hilarious oops rather than a punishment. This design choice keeps things breezy and accessible, but it also bleeds some tension out of the experience: there's little threat or urgency, which some players might miss. Missions are bite-sized affairs. Reviewers noted that a single mission usually runs about five minutes, and the main story wraps up in roughly three hours. That pacing is great for quick sessions - perfect if you're after something to fill a commute or a study break - but it can feel insubstantial if you wanted a deep, replayable arcade racer. There are collectibles and score-chasing elements that add a layer of replayability, but the softness of failure and the short mission loop mean many players won't feel compelled to grind stages for higher scores. The game sprinkles in more than driving: environmental hazards, narrow alleyways, and crowded roundabouts demand you think ahead. There's a gentle puzzle rhythm to navigating the city that rewards practice; the more you play, the more intuitive the spin becomes. The FMV cutscenes add character, introducing a cast of eccentric passengers and moving the plot along for those who want the narrative. Speaking of which: the story is absurd in the best way, starring Georgio's romantic obsession, a rival named Ronaldo, candy-dot hallucinations involving a skeleton called Jeffrey, and an escalating series of events that somehow lead to a murder-and-redemption arc. It's as if a 1970s soap opera were directed by someone who had consumed too many retro game magazines. If you want variety, Roundabout gives you unusual mission setups and some late-game wrinkles, but don't expect a huge catalog of modes. The focus is coherence: a single, very confident idea executed with charm. The lack of harsh penalties and the relatively short campaign mean the game leans more toward being a whimsical diversion than a long-term addiction. That's okay - it knows what it is and mostly sticks the landing.

Graphics

Roundabout runs on Unity and opts for a stylized aesthetic that mixes low-poly cityscapes with grainy, full-motion video cutscenes. The FMV bits are the MVPs: they give the game personality, acting like tiny soap-opera commercials that introduce each passenger and push Georgio's bizarre story forward. The city itself is colorful and readable, but it's not trying to be photorealistic - think retro arcade meets kitsch 1970s poster. Some critics called it "ugly" while others appreciated the off-kilter charm; both takes have merit. The visuals aren't going to win awards for fidelity, but they fit the tone perfectly and serve the gameplay. If you come in expecting cinematic PS4 realism, you'll be disappointed. If you want character and atmosphere, the visuals deliver a quirky, memorable look.

Conclusion

Roundabout is a wonderfully silly experiment that mostly gets away with its weirdness. It's not for everyone: if you crave long campaigns, brutal challenge, or photoreal graphics, this spinning limo probably won't satisfy. But if you enjoy concise, quirky experiences with a healthy dose of humor, FMV charm, and a gameplay hook you can explain in one sentence - "you drive a constantly rotating limo" - then Roundabout is a great pick. The game's forgiving approach to failure and short mission length are double-edged: they make Roundabout accessible and whimsical, but they also reduce stakes and replay urgency. Critics were split, with aggregate scores hovering in the mid-70s on PC and mixed reactions on consoles. Polygon praised the hybrid approach and unique vision, while some outlets wanted more content and sharper challenge. Personally, I found it to be a memorable little ride - packed with personality and just the right amount of ridiculousness to keep you smiling. If you're in the mood for a three-hour romp that doubles as a dancing driving lesson, give Roundabout a spin. Final verdict: quirky, charming, and spun with style - 7/10.

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