Inspired by games like F-Zero and Wipeout, Redout by developer 34BigThings is an anti-gravity, 3D racing game that is set in a distant, post-apocalyptic future. The game includes 30 race tracks in 6 locations (i.e. Earth, Jupiter’s moon Europa and ‘Boss’ Circuits), 6 racing teams (each with their own driving style), 24 customizable vehicles (with different colors and liveries) and 10 upgradable power-ups (i.e. shields, self-repair drones, etc).
Redout is a pretty straight-forward racer with no protagonist to develop or story to follow. The majority of the game is spent in Career mode, where the player must race on twisting, winding tracks with hairpin turns and speed boosters, while also keeping pace with the game’s CPU-controlled opponents. While winning the race is important, gaining experience and leveling – and receiving new power-ups (and vehicles) to remain competitive with the CPU – is pivotal to the player’s success, especially on the later race tracks. As the player progresses through the game and unlocks new vehicles, a strategic element becomes involved when customizing a vehicle’s load-out. Once the final vehicle unlocks at level 22, the in-game goals change to winning every gold medal, fulfilling contracts that require specific vehicle load-outs, and unlocking any in-game content that still hasn’t been awarded.
Each race feels like the last; this could be due to how each race track – while beautiful to look at – resembles the last in both design and layout. Aside from speed boosts and the occasional hairpin turn, there are no road hazards to up the challenge along the way. In fact, the only challenge is coming to grips with the controls, which feel a bit ‘floaty’ at times. The left Analog stick is used to steer; ZR and ZL are used to accelerate and break; and the B button is used to ‘boost’ the vehicle’s engine. Pressing and holding the ZR button while accelerating through tight turns will cause the vehicle to ‘drift’ across the track, helping the player to avoid the menacing barrier walls that can damage (and even destroy) their vehicle.
This tactic doesn’t always work as intended, though. There are times when it feels like the controls are fighting back during some of the sharper turns, making it very difficult to steer. This also makes it hard to keep up with the CPU racers, even during the earlier tracks. Unfortunately, it was difficult to discern whether it was the fault of the player (me), the Joycons being used or the game itself.
It should be mentioned that Redout lacks local co-op, which is a common staple in most racing games. Most disheartening of all, though, is how desolate the game’s online multiplayer feature is. Sadly, the online community for this title appears to be nonexistent, and its near-impossible to find a match online.
Despite the issues mentioned above, Redout isn’t a terrible game. The Quick Race mode, for example, allows the player to mix up the available modes, tracks and vehicles for some variety. Plus, the racing is fast-paced and feels very arcade-ish in its presentation. The graphics look bright, colorful and shiny, and the vehicles all have unique designs that help them stand out. The game’s overall performance remains fairly stable, too.
If developer 34BigThings ever decides to address the issues that hinder this release with future patches/updates, Redout could easily become one of the better racing games on Nintendo Switch. The potential is definitely there; it just needs a little more work.
Mike Pittaro
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developer: 34BigThings
Publisher: Nicalis
ESRB: E (Everyone)
Price: $39.99
Redout Official Website: https://www.nicalis.com/games/redout
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |   |
| The tracks look beautiful, but lack in variety. | |
| Sound | |
| Good sound effects and music. | |
| Gameplay | |
| Each race feels like the last; this could be due to how each race track resembles the last in both design and layout. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Redout has the potential to be a much better racer than it already is. | |
