Kazza
Member
This was actually released in May of last year, but it didn't get much attention at the time, and I think it deserves more than a LTTP. If you're a fan of the those mid-80s to early-90s super scaler arcade racers or 16-bit racers such as Top Gear and Lotus Turbo Challenge, then this comes highly recommended.
Price: £7.19/$9.99/€8.19
Platforms: Steam (no sign of a console version as yet, unfortunately)
Release Date: 22 May 2018
Developer: ansdor
Publisher: ansdor
Slipstream is a racing game inspired by the visuals, music, games and cars from the late 80s and early 90s. It's built on a custom game engine, with an authentic retro feel and unique graphics. The soundtrack, drawing from synthpop and jazz fusion influences, sets the tone for a race across a variety of exotic locations from all around the world, including cities, deserts, forests, mountains and beaches. Drifting and slipstreaming mechanics add depth to the driving gameplay, and the result is a challenging and exciting experience.
Features
Quick review
Good:
- super smooth gameplay with a nice sense of speed
- plays great, even on potato PCs (I'm using a basic laptop with Intel HD Graphics 620 and it runs perfectly)
- good variety in the tracks, with some obvious Sonic inspiration in the track names: Ice Cap, Chemical Plant etc. I especially like the beach track in the GIF above.
- decent synthwave soundtrack (the sound of the cassette tapes being swapped between songs is a nice touch)
- nice variety of play modes (Outrun-style branching paths, cup mode, etc)
- interesting mix of original Outrun aesthetics with Outrun 2-ish gameplay (there's a large emphasis on drifting)
Bad:
- being inspired by arcade racers, there's not a whole lot of depth and you won't be playing for long sessions. However, I find it great for a 15 minute play once or twice a week.
- the cars in the grand prix modes always seem to accelerate away from you immediately as he race starts, no matter where you place or how much acceleration you car has. Although I understand that the developer thought it would be more interesting from a gameplay standpoint to play catch-up, I feel there could have been less clumsy ways of keeping things interesting.
- the Outrun style mode lacks some of the little touches that makes Outrun feel like a driving game rather than just a normal racing game (having the pretty girl sitting next to you, the crowds at the beginning and end of the journey etc).
I bought it when it was 25% off in the winter sale and feel I'm getting my moneys worth.
Release Trailer:
Price: £7.19/$9.99/€8.19
Platforms: Steam (no sign of a console version as yet, unfortunately)
Release Date: 22 May 2018
Developer: ansdor
Publisher: ansdor
Slipstream is a racing game inspired by the visuals, music, games and cars from the late 80s and early 90s. It's built on a custom game engine, with an authentic retro feel and unique graphics. The soundtrack, drawing from synthpop and jazz fusion influences, sets the tone for a race across a variety of exotic locations from all around the world, including cities, deserts, forests, mountains and beaches. Drifting and slipstreaming mechanics add depth to the driving gameplay, and the result is a challenging and exciting experience.
Features
- Authentic pseudo-3D game engine with 2D graphics, just like the glory days of the arcade racers.
- 20 Different tracks, set on a variety of exotic locations all around the world... and beyond.
- Local multiplayer up to 4 players!
- 6 Game modes:
- Grand Tour, a road trip through exotic landscapes, with branching paths and rivals to race against.
- Cannonball, a freely customizable race mode with optional traffic, rivals and other racers
- Grand Prix, a championship mode with five races back to back and money prizes used to upgrade your car!
- Single Race, just a race in any of the game's 20 tracks
- Time Trial, a solo race against time
- Battle Royale, an elimination endurance race mode
- 5 Car models, each with its own specs and playstyle.
- Original soundtrack with 9 exclusive songs + you can add your own music.
- A variety of graphical options to customize the game's visuals, including 30fps mode, CRT and NTSC filters.
Quick review
Good:
- super smooth gameplay with a nice sense of speed
- plays great, even on potato PCs (I'm using a basic laptop with Intel HD Graphics 620 and it runs perfectly)
- good variety in the tracks, with some obvious Sonic inspiration in the track names: Ice Cap, Chemical Plant etc. I especially like the beach track in the GIF above.
- decent synthwave soundtrack (the sound of the cassette tapes being swapped between songs is a nice touch)
- nice variety of play modes (Outrun-style branching paths, cup mode, etc)
- interesting mix of original Outrun aesthetics with Outrun 2-ish gameplay (there's a large emphasis on drifting)
Bad:
- being inspired by arcade racers, there's not a whole lot of depth and you won't be playing for long sessions. However, I find it great for a 15 minute play once or twice a week.
- the cars in the grand prix modes always seem to accelerate away from you immediately as he race starts, no matter where you place or how much acceleration you car has. Although I understand that the developer thought it would be more interesting from a gameplay standpoint to play catch-up, I feel there could have been less clumsy ways of keeping things interesting.
- the Outrun style mode lacks some of the little touches that makes Outrun feel like a driving game rather than just a normal racing game (having the pretty girl sitting next to you, the crowds at the beginning and end of the journey etc).
I bought it when it was 25% off in the winter sale and feel I'm getting my moneys worth.
Release Trailer:
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