Developer: ansdor
Publisher: ansdor
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Tested on: Switch
Slipstream – Review
Most of us who grew up in the late 80s, 90s, or even the early 00s will remember the highly popular arcade cabinet from OutRun. For many, the large replica of the Ferrari was a place where we spent much time and coins to try and impress the blonde that was sitting next to us. After its arcade debut, the game came back for some more versions with the last official one being OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast. Now, many years later we get another chance to fulfill our OutRun needs with a new game called Slipstream. This game feels almost identical to the original OutRun that one could place both games next to each other and think they belong to the same franchise.
Story
While the original OutRun games had you impress a lovely lady next to you in your convertible sports car, in Slipstream your only goal is to beat all your rivals and become the best racer. There are many rivals that you must face, but they don’t really have a background nor is there anything linking you to the races. Slipstream is just an arcade game that you pick up to relive some sweet OutRun memories or just to enjoy some races, trying to beat the game.
Graphics
When most games brag about being retro-inspired, they mostly do a good job, but there are still modern elements in place left and right. In Slipstream this isn’t the case. When you boot up the game, it immediately takes you back to the past. All the graphics, from the user interface to the cars, effects, and surroundings look like how they were made in the old days. The only difference is the clearly noticeable high frame rate which makes the game run smoothly.
Sound
Just like the graphics, the sound is equally retro and amazing. The techno arcade music that is pumping in the background really gets you in the mood for driving fast. The music created for Slipstream sounds as if it was made for old-school consoles. When you are driving, you will notice the sound feedback from your screeching tires and hitting objects or cars. Sadly, the only thing absent from the experience is the actual engine sound.
Gameplay
Slipstream is an arcade racing game that looks, feels, sounds, and plays like an OutRun game. The goal is simple: you need to reach the finish line while beating your rivals while also not running out of time. Your biggest rival is the clock, as it slowly ticks down until you reach the next checkpoint, but that isn’t new to returning OutRun fans. The game starts pretty easily with an optional tutorial. This tutorial explains how to drive your car and how to drift it in corners. Drifting was popularized in OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast, where players could drift at breakneck speeds to battle the corners with ease. There is only one small issue in Slipstream with the drifting as transitioning from one side to another doesn’t always work that well, as the button input didn’t always register correctly. That being said, you could always just turn on auto drifting to negate this issue, but that would ruin part of the fun. Besides that, the controls are very responsive.
Slipstream might be labeled as an arcade game, but it brings enough content to the table to keep you occupied for quite some time. Starting with the different modes, you can choose between six different event types. Grand Tour takes you on a trip in a pyramid-shaped level progression manner. You race on the first track, and if you make it to the end, you have to decide to either go left or right. This gives the player many different routes to take and master. On each track, you battle both the clock and your rival to prove that you possess the quality to handle one of five iconic 80s and 90s sports cars, each with its unique handling.
Besides the main attraction, you also have a handful of other modes to play with. These modes include Time Trial, Cannonball, Grand Prix, Single Race, and Battle Royale. Each of these modes can be played with a friend in local co-op mode, so if you have a friend who also likes arcade racers you could hit two birds with one stone. What sets Slipstream apart from other arcade games are its two unique mechanics, utilizing slipstream from opponents and the feature to rewind the time a few seconds back. The latter can be really handy if you make a big mistake during a crucial time. Slipstream can be used to get a boost by driving in your opponent’s car’s airflow.
Conclusion
Slipstream is a game that feels like a superb homage to the OutRun franchise, while still feeling modern and relevant for our current generation of consoles. The graphics are retro-inspired and this is also true for the sounds and music. Sadly for a racing game, there are no engine sounds and the drifting can take a while to master. Content-wise there will be enough to keep you and a buddy entertained for hours on end, thanks to the twenty tracks, five cars, and six different modes. That being said, this game is an absolute blast to play alone or with friends, especially if you have a craving for old-school arcade fun.
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