Redout 2 Review

Featuring the lofty claim of being “the fastest racing game in the universe,” 34BigThings and Saber Interactive are hitting the anti-gravity big leagues with the release of Redout 2. Does this racer have the need for speed, or does it eat WipeOut and F-Zero’s dust?

Redout 2 Review

Set in the dystopian wastelands of a semi-abandoned Earth, Redout 2 puts its arcade roots proudly on display. While players can tweak propulsors, stabilizers, rudders, and intercoolers, make no mistake – this is a pick-up-and-play title that prides itself on skill over stats.

And one’s skills will most certainly be put to the test in Redout 2. 36 unique race tracks hailing from Mount Fuji, Old Cairo, the Mariana Trench, the Tartarus Mines, and other lively locales all await. Each varies by gravity, atmosphere, and temperature, and there are also hazards like ice, liquid hot magma, and low visibility also need to be contended with.

On that note, be fully aware that Redout 2 pulls no punches. Your ship has a health bar, and slamming the boost (or even the hyperboost) will cause you to end up in a fiery wreck and a good couple of kilometers behind the rest of the pack. Rather, players need to know when to strafe, pitch, and turn just right throughout each track.

This might seem simple at first, but actually putting it into practice is a completely different beast. The loop-de-loops, sharp turns, and sections where you are careening through the air to make a perfect landing require pin point precision, something that simply comes with practice. However, actually nailing everything is a thrilling feeling – especially when you are routinely hitting speeds of more than 1000 kilometers per hour on average.

Modes in this title run the usual gamut of the racing genre. For those who would like to jump into things right from the get-go, an arcade mode is available. From there, players can choose from a few different modes:

– Time attack is what it says on the tin – players race against the clock for the best time
– Race features laps, opponents, and reverse track options
– Arena has a race with no respawns and the damage increasing with every lap
– Last man standing is an elimination race
– Speed takes a cue from the Keanu Reeves classic where players need to stay above a certain speed
– Finally, Boss has players racing on all track layouts in sequence.

There’s plenty to do, along with a career mode where you can earn stars, but be warned: As of June 20, there is a fair amount of content that is still under development. For those looking to do ranked races, season challenges and community-related events, you’ll have to wait until a later date. This is far from a deal-breaker, but still something to consider for those looking for it.

Finally, it should be worth noting that this title is an absolute looker. We ended up playing the title on an OLED television with headphones and we’re blown away at how everything from the colors to the speed to the thumping soundtrack came together. It’s right up there with Tetris Effect and Rez Infinite in regards to spectacle and immersion.

Redout 2 is a spectacle that will have players on the edge of their seat. Just be warned; one will need to cut their teeth with its difficulty curve – one best bring their A game.

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This review of Redout 2 was done on the PC. A digital code was provided by the publisher.