Heading Out
Review
Life is a highway
by William Thompson
reviewed on PC
'A Glimpse from the Road'
Heading Out has players taking on the role of the Interstate Jackalope - a driver that is almost as mysterious as the mythical creature you've taken as your moniker. Driving across the USA in what feels to be the 1970's, players will be confronted with a range of decisions that have consequences that may not be apparent until later in their journeys. Heading Out isn't your typical racing game. With your fears chasing you, players will engage in a cross-country odyssey that blends high-speed chases with a choose-your-own-adventure narrative. And if your fears catch you, then it is game over.
Although the narrative and the decisions you make along the way are important, the core gameplay loop is a mix of racing and resource management. You'll speed down highways, racing to earn money, outrunning the police, and then competing in the all important race at the end of each mission opposed to the Best Driver Alive. Apart from keeping ahead of your Fear, there are several resources that players must keep track of if you’re going to make it through to the race against the Best Driver Alive. Money, which will predominantly be required to keep fuel in your car, Focus - which keeps you awake, and the condition of your vehicle all need to be monitored.
Players will start with a muscle car and then collect several others as they move through the Acts. Each vehicle (Hot Rod, European Sport and Japanese Racer) handles differently, with one having a higher top speed but is more difficult to control, whilst another is much easier to control, but is somewhat slow to accelerate.
Pedal to the Metal
The racing had me reminiscing of the original Test Drive or even the arcade version of Outrun, albeit in a grayscale visual style. From a rolling start - with opponents having a head start - players will drive across the highways, dodging slow and oncoming traffic whilst trying to catch their opponent within the allotted time limit (indicated by a song playing on an old school cassette tape). Racing is reasonably basic, and success can often hinge on making quick decisions – do you take a risky shortcut or play it safe on the main road?. Generally, the alternative routes are short-cuts, but this is not always the case, and will often involve driving on dirt roads which can slow you down.
But as players progress through the Acts, they will be confronted by various other traffic hazards scattered across the roads - including roadworks that can seem like they pop out of nowhere if you've got your foot to the pedal, uneven terrain that can cause drivers to lose control, police roadblocks, and even narrow bridges that will require a more careful approach.
Don't lose focus
One of my favourite mechanics in the game revolves around Focus. Driving for too long without resting, or using temporary actions to keep you awake will result in a lack of focus. As your focus lowers, you become more tired, which appears as your eyes slowly drifting off as you’re careening across the countryside. This affects your ability to see oncoming traffic and any other impediments that could appear on the road.
Most of the time, you'll be racing against one or two racers, with the hope of gaining the small amount of prize money on offer. Winning races has the added benefit of increasing your Fame, meaning that you’ll get the opportunity to race for higher prizes as you move towards your final destination.
Heading Out is not all about the racing though. Each drive has an ultimate destination with lots happening along the way. Branching narratives and random encounters create a unique story each playthrough. You'll meet a cast of quirky characters, each with their own piece of Americana to share. The choices you make – such as helping a hitchhiker or outrunning the law – shape your reputation and influence the story's direction. The narrative can be dark and thought-provoking at times, making this road trip more than just a scenic drive.
It's not the destination, it's the journey
And what a scenic drive it is. The black and white (grayscale) visuals do an amazing job of depicting the sights as you cruise across the United States. Despite the lack of colour, the art team have still been able to blend in day and night cycles to the game, with the sun blinding as it lowers at the end of the day. The grayscale nature of the visuals also allow the important aspects to stand out. Slow moving traffic have red brake lights, whilst police cars and road works have flashing red lights. Road signs too are bright yellow, ensuring that you’ll never miss an upcoming bend in the road.
I cannot begin to convey how much I enjoyed the wonderful soundtrack. As you head out for each race, one of the numerous original tracks play in the background setting the tone for the competition taking place. From the rock heavy tunes of "Ain’t no Hero" to the jazzy "It's Electro Gal", each track fits in perfectly with the game. However, it is not just the music that keeps things interesting from an audio perspective. Along your journey, players will hear radio reports from various radio stations. It is interesting to note the thoughts of the radio announcers and their differing opinions of the Interstate Jackalope. Some consider you a hero, whilst others think of you as a menace.
Facing your fears
I started out expecting Heading Out to purely be a racing title, but it is much more than that. The various interactions you have with strangers you meet along the way are impactful, often leading to an outcome that was not immediately evident. Keeping ahead of Fear whilst maintaining your limited resources and competing against the plethora of opponents that are eager to take you down is an absolute joy. The soundtrack is a highlight though, with a mix of synth-wave and Americana tunes that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere and had me hooked right until the final orchestral score of "Take Me Home". The soundtrack alone is reason enough to buy the game, but combined with the narrative, the stylized black and white visuals and the highway racing, Heading Out is a must buy.
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8.8
fun score
Pros
Choices have consequences, Simple, fun racing, Superb soundtrack
Cons
Some repetitive gameplay, reasonably short
