Aliens, Gas Pumps, and Human DNA: Roadside Research Is Simulation Chaos

Running a Gas Station… While Secretly Being an Alien: Roadside Research Early Access Impressions

In a world where it feels like a new simulation game launches every other day, it can be hard for one to truly stand out. Roadside Research manages to do exactly that by taking a familiar formula—running a small business simulator—and adding a bizarre, hilarious twist. Instead of simply managing a roadside gas station, you’re also secretly an alien gathering human DNA for your home planet.

Throw in some friends, a steady upgrade system, and the chaos of juggling customer service with covert extraterrestrial activities, and you’ve got a recipe for a surprisingly addictive experience. I can already picture my sister and I arguing over which shelves go where, who forgot to order supplies, and who’s supposed to be taking photos of the strange humans wandering through the station.

Despite the absurd premise, the game’s progression and upgrade systems keep everything moving forward in a satisfying way. The grind never really feels like a chore—it feels more like having fun at work. Even when playing solo, I found myself enjoying the gameplay loop far more than I expected. Now that the game is available in Early Access, here’s my full experience with Roadside Research from developer Cybernetic Walrus.

Aliens Running a Gas Station

Whether you’re playing alone or with friends, you take on the role of an alien sent to Earth with a mission: collect human DNA. Your arrival method? A port-a-potty drop from space, of course.

To complete your mission without raising suspicion, you’ve cleverly disguised your base of operations as a gas station in the middle of nowhere. While humans stop by for fuel, snacks, and bathroom breaks, you’re secretly studying them and collecting DNA samples.

Balancing both sides of the job is where the fun begins. You have to keep the station running smoothly—stocking shelves, serving customers, and refilling pumps—while also sneaking around to gather the data you need.

And of course, there’s the small problem of not getting caught.

If customers start to suspect something strange is going on, they won’t hesitate to call in the authorities. Act too suspiciously or let things get too chaotic, and you might find the mysterious “men in black” stopping by for a visit.

Still, as long as the shelves are stocked and customers are happy, who’s really going to question the slightly odd behavior of their local gas station clerk?

Well… maybe they will if things start getting a little too messy.

A Surprisingly Relaxing Progression System

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Roadside Research is its progression system. Expanding and upgrading your gas station feels rewarding without ever becoming overwhelming.

There are two primary upgrade paths in the game:

• Gas Station Upgrades – These include new shelves, products, and tools that help you run the station more efficiently.

• Alien Technology Upgrades – These improve your ability to collect DNA and carry out your extraterrestrial mission.

Even playing solo, I found it surprisingly easy to keep up with the pace of the game. Before long, I was stocking shelves like a pro, buying new displays, and optimizing the layout of my station to maximize profits.

And when I wasn’t helping customers? I was usually hiding in the bushes, quietly collecting DNA samples and hoping nobody noticed.

Interestingly, the game never felt overly stressful. Even when authorities showed up after I acted a little too suspiciously, the stakes didn’t feel punishing. In fact, that lighter tension gave the game a more cozy vibe than I initially expected.

Solo Play Works Surprisingly Well

Although Roadside Research supports up to four players, I spent most of my time playing alone—and still had an incredible time.

Managing everything solo can feel hectic at first. You’ll often find yourself running back and forth between tasks:

• Scanning items at the register

• Taking payments and giving change

• Restocking shelves

• Ordering fuel deliveries

• Carrying diesel to refill pumps

• Pumping gas for waiting customers

• Cleaning bathrooms

• Helping the next customer in line

Despite all that chaos, the controls and workflow feel incredibly smooth. It’s clear the developers paid close attention to feedback during playtesting, because the systems flow together seamlessly.

Customers are also surprisingly patient, which helps a lot when you’re managing everything alone. Instead of feeling punished for playing solo, the game feels thoughtfully balanced to accommodate it.

Since the game is still in Early Access, there’s plenty of room for expansion. For example, some systems—like timers on drive-thru windows that track how long customers wait—hint at the possibility of more intense gameplay mechanics in the future.

Better With Friends… But Still Great Alone

While solo play works well, it’s easy to see how the game could become even more chaotic and entertaining with friends.

With up to four players, you can divide responsibilities across the station:

• One person working the register

• Another restocking shelves

• Someone managing fuel pumps

• Someone else collecting DNA samples

The more players you have, the faster you can upgrade and expand the station. Considering how many tasks eventually pile up, having extra hands definitely makes the operation run smoother.

Plus, the idea of a group of friends running a gas station together—with absolutely no corporate oversight—is inherently hilarious.

Final Thoughts

Roadside Research might look like just another simulation game at first glance, but its strange premise and surprisingly polished gameplay loop help it stand out from the crowd.

The combination of gas station management, stealthy alien research, and cooperative chaos makes for a unique experience that works equally well solo or with friends.

If you enjoy simulation games like TCG Card Shop Simulator but want something a little weirder—and a lot funnier—Roadside Research is absolutely worth checking out during Early Access.

Just remember keep the shelves stocked, the bathrooms clean… and maybe don’t let the humans see you collecting their DNA.

If you like this review and want to see more like Roadside Research, you can click here.  My snapchat is Cara_lynn97. Twitter and Instagram are the same. I stream on twitch multiple days a week! Be sure to follow me to see the live playthroughs of games and anything else I might do and post online.