REDOUT: LIGHTSPEED EDITION
Colour us excited
You wait ages for one WipEout and then two come along at the same time. Almost. While you’re tucking into the recently released Omega Collection, a fine, sprightly batch of remasters, earmark August for more futuristic high-speed racing in the shape of Redout: Lightspeed Editon.
WipEout comparisons are unavoidable, particularly as developer 34BigThings boasts it’s a “tribute to classic anti-gravity racing games”. As we all know, there’s only one ‘classic anti-gravity racing game’ worth its go-faster stripes, and that’s WipEout.
The question is, then, is Redout admiration without innovation? At its core Redout aims to offer the same flashy futuristic racing, where blistering speed and spiralling tracks are sent to test the best of us, but with new tech making the familiar feel fresh. A unique physics system means every twisting turn and steep slope will apply unique and realistic forces to your ship.
RED OR DEAD?
To counter the effects of gravity you’ll be able to unlock and apply new kit to your craft. Spending time tinkering with the engine, magnets, structure, and energy of your racer will affect its on-track performance. You’ll need those upgrades, as Redout’s six-player online races are the heartbeat of the game. And you don’t just tweak the ships; you’ll be able to unlock modifiers to upgrade race-changing power ups, such as additional turbos, stronger shields, a self-repair drone, an advanced grip system, and slipstream enhancers that offer a speed bonus. The win-to-progress structure could give Redout an extra feeling of freshness.
Where Redout could also offer something new is in its approach to track design. The detailed Designers Republic-inspired circuits of WipEout are being passed over in favour of abstract polygonal forms; the illusion of an environment forming at speed. Blurred coastlines and neon speedways emerge from the notional lines and shapes that stream into view. It’s unique and could be this game’s hook.
Already released on PC to critical praise, Redout on PS4 will launch as the Lightspeed Edition, and contain both the Neptune and Europa DLC (in total offering 30 tracks across six zones). Better still, there’s a new console exclusive split-screen mode planned, which means we’ll be eagerly looking forward to some sharpelbowed couchplay very soon.
“THE ILLUSION OF AN ENVIRONMENT FORMING AT SPEED.”