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About Roadside Research
Roadside Research puts you in the role of an alien managing a human gas station. By day you restock shelves, refuel cars and serve food, while secretly gathering data on unsuspecting customers. The core loop balances ordinary service tasks with covert research, all under a suspicion meter.
You can play alone or with up to three friends in co‑op mode. Upgrades are split between improving the station’s appeal and enhancing alien technology, letting you fine‑tune both the human façade and the efficiency of your data collection.
01 / THE GUIDE
Day‑Night Gameplay Loop
During daylight hours you act as a normal employee: restock shelves, order wares, refuel passing cars and exchange goods for cash. These actions keep customers satisfied and generate the income needed for upgrades.
When night falls the station closes, giving you time to plan the next day and work on alien research without the pressure of serving customers. This pause separates routine service from covert data gathering.
- Observe which items sell fastest to prioritize restocking those first.
- Use the night period to review collected data before deciding on upgrades.
02 / THE GUIDE
Managing the Suspicion Meter
Your alien mission requires scanning, stealing and testing methods on customers. Each covert action raises a suspicion meter, which you must keep low to avoid government intervention.
If the meter climbs too high, officials arrive and can end your experiment, turning you into goo. Balancing research with normal duties is essential to stay undetected.
- Spread out research actions throughout the day to avoid sudden spikes.
- Combine research with routine tasks to mask suspicious activity.
03 / THE GUIDE
Dual Upgrade Paths
The game offers two separate upgrade tracks: one for the gas station’s facilities and another for alien technology. Station upgrades attract more customers, while tech upgrades make data collection more efficient.
Upgrading both sides simultaneously creates a feedback loop—more customers provide more cash for station improvements, and better tech yields clearer data for research.
- Invest in station upgrades early to boost income flow.
- Prioritize tech upgrades once you have a steady cash stream.
04 / THE GUIDE
Co‑op and Multiplayer Options
Roadside Research supports solo play and cooperative sessions for up to four players. Friends can share the workload of serving customers and conducting research, making the station run smoother.
Online co‑op lets each player focus on different aspects—one might handle the cash register while another performs covert scans—allowing coordinated strategies.
- Assign specific roles to each player to avoid overlapping tasks.
- Communicate when performing research to keep the suspicion meter in check.
05 / THE GUIDE
Platform Features and Support
The title runs on Windows and includes full controller support, covering DualShock and DualSense devices. Steam Cloud integration lets your progress persist across sessions.
Family Sharing is also listed, meaning multiple accounts on the same device can access the game without needing separate purchases.
- Enable Steam Cloud to safeguard your upgrade progress.
- Test both controller types to see which feels more comfortable for the co‑op experience.
COMMUNITY
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