Thunder Road: Vendetta Review

Fill your tanks with precious guzzoline, arm your war-rigs, and take to the road in Thunder Road: Vendetta, the tricked-out ‘restoration’ of the original Thunder Road board game from the 80’s! Engage in some fast-paced, vehicular carnage in a post-apocalyptic world that takes its inspiration from the Mad Max film series.

2-4 Players 45-75 Mins Age: 10+

Designers: Dave Chalker, Brett Myers, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, Jim Keifer, Brian Neff

Publisher: Restoration Games

Witness me...

Thunder Road: Vendetta from Restoration Games is a competitive racing game in which players attempt to race across a desolate landscape, battling rivals with every tool at their disposal. Whether you’re out to annihilate your opponents or aiming to be the first to cross the finish line, each game feels like an epic struggle for survival against homicidal maniacs. In other words, just your typical daily commute.  In the end it’s first across the line, or the last player standing that takes the victory, but that goal feels a distant second compared to the hijinks that ensue between the start and finish lines.

The game is, at its core, a roll-to-move racing game dialled up to 11 and wastes no time getting straight to the point. From the first round, cars can slam into each other, instantly tossing any semblance of a plan out the window—and I’m here for it! There’s no long game to be played here, although you’re welcome to try. The game is about crashing, bashing, slamming, and shooting your way to victory, with plenty of ways to mess with your opponents. It’s not about the destination; it’s the journey and the enemies we’ve made along the way.

The game’s fast-paced mechanics keep your adrenaline, and the nitrous, pumping. The players each roll four dice to both determine movement for their three vehicles and assign them to various actions, which might sound simple, but the strategic depth is immediately apparent. Deciding whether to speed ahead, risking collisions and ambushes, or to hang back and take shots at the leaders adds a layer of tactical decision-making that keeps every player engaged, even when its not their turn. The dice add an element of unpredictability, ensuring that every game session is a unique experience filled with excitement and a healthy degree of nervous tension.

The game offers numerous ways to disrupt your opponents. You can slam into their vehicles, pushing them off the road or into hazards and shooting at rivals not only deals damage but can also force them to spin out or lose control. The board is littered with hazards and obstacles, adding to the chaos. Oil slicks, mines, and wreckage from previous crashes create a constantly shifting battlefield where only the most adaptable can thrive.  Be warned though, if you’re not a fan of random events, you may struggle with this one, my suggestion is to lean into that element and just have fun.

You Will Ride Eternal, Shiny And Chrome!

Thunder Road: Vendetta excels at delivering fast-paced action. The rules are straightforward, allowing new players to jump in quickly, with the tactical elements keeping players engaged. The game’s flow is smooth, with minimal downtime between turns, ensuring that players are always paying attention to the dynamic game state. The balance between strategic decision-making and random chaos is one of the game’s standout features.

While the game is undeniably fast-paced and action-oriented, there's a surprising amount of tactical depth. Positioning is key—gaining to great a lead makes you an irresistible target, but staying amongst the pack leaves you vulnerable to attacks, obstacles or any other manner of misfortune.

The game knows exactly what it is - a chaotic, high-speed brawl on wheels. It embraces this identity wholeheartedly, delivering on its promise of nonstop action and excitement. The thematic consistency enhances the overall experience, making every game feel like a high-stakes race for survival. One of Thunder Road: Vendetta's greatest strengths is its emphasis on player interaction. This isn't a game where you can quietly mind your own business—you're constantly jockeying for position, trading shots, and trying to out manoeuvre your rivals. The resulting chaos creates memorable moments of high drama and laugh-out-loud absurdity.

Dice management also plays a crucial role. Players must balance their limited supply of actions, deciding when to unleash an aerial attack and when to put the pedal to the metal for the crucial final stretch. This layer of strategy adds a welcome depth to the otherwise frenetic gameplay.  The modular track introduces another layer of unpredictability ensuring that players must constantly adapt their strategies to an ever-changing battlefield.

Replay-ability is one of Thunder Road Vendetta's strongest suits with the combination of modular boards, and random hazards ensuring that no two games are ever the same and the modular boards make it easy to set up and play multiple games in a single session.  The game also supports a range of player counts, scaling from tense one-on-one duels to chaotic four-player free-for-alls. This flexibility makes it a great choice for game nights, whether you're looking for a quick skirmish or series of brutal tournaments.

My World Is Fire And Blood

As I mentioned earlier, the high level of randomness might put off players who prefer more controlled, strategic gameplay. Dice rolls can lead to unpredictable outcomes, which can be frustrating for those who prefer meticulous planning. However, this unpredictability is a central part of the game’s charm, adding to the chaotic fun.

The nature of the game requires a bit of a mean streak, as players are constantly trying to sabotage each other. I recommend checking with your group beforehand to ensure everyone is on board with the cutthroat vibe. Those who enjoy friendly competition might find the relentless aggression a bit too intense.

That’s Bait.

The components in Thunder Road: Vendetta are top notch, with clear graphic design and subdued artwork on the game boards. The modular board setup allows for varied gameplay, with each new configuration presenting fresh challenges. However, the variety in vehicle types is somewhat lacking. Each player only has three types of vehicles, and these designs feel a bit uninspired given the creativity of the Mad Max-inspired theme. The miniatures are robust and functional, but they don’t quite capture the wild, improvised look one might expect from a post-apocalyptic setting.

The quality of the components is generally high, with thick double-sided game boards, that can withstand the rigour of repeated play. The artwork on the terrain tiles enhances the thematic immersion, with gritty, hand-drawn illustrations that evoke the desolate harshness of the wasteland. However, the lack of variety in vehicle designs is a missed opportunity, as more diverse and imaginative designs along with the ability to upgrade your vehicles, could have added another layer of excitement to the game.

Oh, What A Day! What a LOVELY Day!

Thunder Road: Vendetta is a solid game, ideal for a few rapid-fire sessions. It captures the spirit of the movies that inspired it with fast-paced gameplay, light strategic depth, and just the right amount of chaos. While it might not appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer less randomness and a more strategic approach, it excels at delivering some lighthearted fun. With a 30-40 minute play time its an ideal choice for a lighter evening of laughs and banter.

Thank you for joining me and I hope you found this review informative. Please remember to check out my other reviews and you’re welcome to join our amazing community of like-minded gamers on our Above Board Facebook page or follow us on Instagram.  Until next time, take care and ride eternal!