Redout (video game)

Redout is a racing video game developed and published by Italian studio 34BigThings. It is inspired by racing games such as F-Zero, Wipeout, Rollcage, and POD as stated on the game page on Steam.

The game was released for Microsoft Windows in September 2016, while the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One released in August 2017. The Windows version is playable in virtual reality. A Nintendo Switch port published by Nicalis was originally slated for a Q2 2017 release, but got delayed and was released in May 2019. The game was released for Amazon Luna on October 20, 2020.

Gameplay
Redout is an anti-gravity racing game set in 2560. Players compete by piloting one of a selection of crafts on several different tracks.

There are seven racing teams and every team has four ships. Each ship has its distinct characteristics of acceleration, top speed, grip, structural integrity, energy pool and energy recharge speed. The players can customize their ship's characteristics installing upgrades and choosing a passive and active powerup of the six of each available. There are five racing complexes (and an additional seven have been added via DLC) each one consisting of five tracks. Track design includes loops, jumps, teleports, underwater sections, tubular sections and tracks with low or no gravity.

The game features different racing modes: a standard racing mode; arena racing, in which the last ship to survive wins; speed, which requires players to maintain a minimum velocity; score, in which players compete for the highest scores based on lap times; boss, in which players travel between multiple tracks using teleporters; and instagib, which instantly disqualifies ships if they touch a wall. Multiplayer is supported online via lobbies of up to twelve players and locally via two players split-screen.

The ship controls are similar to that of aircraft, including strafing and pitching the vehicle; pitching is used when turning uphill to prevent the ship from grinding the floor (slowing and damaging the craft) and when turning downhill to prevent redouts (an aesthetic effect).

Reception
On Metacritic, Redout received positive reviews for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One;  the Switch version received mixed reviews. PC Gamer said it "Nails the look, the sound, and the speed" but "stalls on the sensation". Nintendo Life called it "a pretty good game" but criticized the Switch version's performance and multiplayer functionality. Push Square said it is "one of the best examples of the genre" and said the boss races are "a particular standout".

Sequel
A spin-off named Redout: Space Assault was released for iOS and macOS through Apple Arcade on October 8, 2019, with releases for Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One releases delayed until January 22, 2021. A sequel published by Saber Interactive titled Redout 2 was released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on June 16, 2022.