Slipstream

YES! Something beautiful, a banger which slipped my radar. Here's the 80's /90's Outrun / Cruisin' homage you need, and it does it all so very, very well, so smoothly. A deeper dive is deserved... On the face of it, it really is an Outrun(s) tribute, and the initial mode literally mirrors that 5-endpoints pyramid format, with tracks which while original feel exactly like they would fit in with the arcade grandaddy of arcade racers. The way the tracks swerve, the way the side decoration is generated, your car's responsiveness all feel just right...but I feel the tech used to create it is different and has made it...perfectly a smooth experience. Yes the cars look pixel-y like the old days, yes the repeating rush of streetside furniture and background theme nail it like the 80's but it all also seems so well crafted for modern gamers, and so... smooth. That initial Arcade mode even still has improvements; most notably a drift mechanism that is so natural it puts most other retro arcade drift mechanics to shame. It doesn't feel out of place, it feels like it always should have been there, and is intrinsic to this game. This mode also contains mostly the passive traffic you knew from those old arcade cabs, but the twist is it also contains Rivals (if you want) who add a different take by requiring you not just to beat the timer but to also beat them. Rivals are active racers not passive but they don't go out of their way to obstruct you - they just race, and I love that. They also have a different property to the passive traffic... one of the most fun things I found is that a Rival ahead of you crashes out and bounces along the road (Outrun-style) but if you happen to hit them on recovery as you slide past, you can knock them back into the scenery for another crash-bounce. Just awesome. And guess what - they could do this to you too! Yet there is so much more to this game, and that's why I rate it so highly. The above would have been enough, but it also has separate driving modes, most notably Cannonball, which is a customised race of a length and stage selection of your choosing, and pre-made cup tournament races - neither of these have a stage selection at the end of a stage, you just race through. And these modes don't just have the passive traffic, they also contain active racers of a number of your choosing, as well as rivals if you like. It adds a lot of unexpected depth and choice as you move through the game. This is a fantastic dynamic. You have passive traffic getting in the way as you aim to beat numerous other racers and your rivals, while absolutely thrashing, skidding and slipstreaming through what feels like it SHOULD be a twitch-style race but actually somehow always feels...smooth. To highlight the value, these modes are supported by single races, time trials and leaderboards, plus a lovely achievements curve that fits nicely into regular play with a few challenges for the hardcore cheevo chasers. It's not particularly hard to beat, the focus is clearly on fun and playability. But when you've done all you want and feel like you need more challenge, put drifting into manual instead of automatic... I double dare you! This completely changes the game and the complexity, you'd better have your Tekken fingers ready! It LOOKS great throughout, a brilliant balance of forced low-res models and smooth, modern implementation. A great example of this is how low-fi the tyre-skidding graphic is when you slide, but at the same time they bothered to make your tyre point in the opposite direction to the corner as you do so, a lovely little detail that means so much. It SOUNDS amazing; again achieving a retro feel with modern techniques, a ranged mix of synthwave, garage / house and DnB which always feels chill and smooth no matter the bpm, and always fits the game. Top drawer sound design in every respect. For me, I can't find any flaws, it's what a retro arcade racer game should be. Supremely playable and pick-up-able, quality feels while fulling offering you that retro vibe it promises, smooth in every way and fun - never not fun to play. I owned a physical PC copy of Outrun Coast to Coast which I stupidly sold and now that game is unattainable (legitimately) which is one of my hugest gaming regrets, but this game has given me that feeling back. In summary, good value at full price, Great value on a sale, way more diverse and content-full than you'll expect. Full workshop support (and there are some excellent creations.) A must-have if you like retro racers, a genre where many other games can leave you wanting. ADDL: Props to my buddies NUKEum82 for pointing this game out to me in the first place, and Kat for finding the perfect word to describe this game and form the basis of this review. A smooth guy.

A fantastic tribute to the OutRun series and its racing subgenre - and, dare I say, a solid improvement on it. Slipstream takes everything great about the tried and true formula that Outrun originally showed us back in 1986, and dials it up to deliver a racing game that feels both nostalgic and refreshing. All the essential elements - cars, gameplay, replayability and varied game modes - are built with solid quality, keeping you engaged for hours on end. But the real magic of Slipstream lies in two things: 1) the art, and 2) the soundtrack. The art style is a visual treat. From the environments to the animations, everything is delightful - not simply copied and pasted as a cheap imitation of ’80s aesthetics. Instead, it captures the feeling of playing on old CRT TVs while still looking modern and crisp. Now the soundtrack… [i] chef’s kiss. [/i] The OST just has to be preserved for the ages. I could easily boot up the game and sit idling on a track, listening to one song after another, with the character manually switching tapes every time. In terms of Outrun type games, nothing available on Steam at this moment comes remotely close to Slipstream. A must in any racing fan's collection!

Jogo que se apresenta como o “sucessor espiritual” do clássico [i]Out Run[/i] da SEGA. Embora seja curto, possui vários modos de corridas customizáveis. Serve como um ótimo jogo de corrida arcade casual. A trilha sonora é OK, tem a vibe da época mas não achei nenhuma marcante, todas são um tanto genéricas. Curti os efeitos visuais e sonoros de videocassete. Uma joia nacional perdida aqui na Steam. Recomendo em uma promoção.

This game is awesome all around: gameplay, drift mechanics, track design, music, aesthetics, retro vibe. Everything feels cohesive as well. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. It's the type of game that makes you want to get all the achievements, and none of them feel cheap or artificially difficult (but they still pose a decent challenge if you're going for them all). There's Steam Workshop support which means master 3D modelers can keep adding models inspired by real life cars, which is a cool bonus. Tracks too. 10/10 game. The developer clearly put a lot of passion into this project.

I've played a bunch of indie Outrun-type games and all have been inferior clones that don't really scratch the itch, but Slipstream is definitely the best I've come across. Pleasing visuals, a great soundtrack, and gameplay that actually feels somewhat nuanced and challenging! Definitely had to try a few times before winning a Grand Prix. I also appreciate the variety of modes in addition to the primary Outrun-like campaign with branching paths. Highly recommend to fans of the genre!

гарна картинка і музика

Recomendado. Simple pero te engancha, el estilo retro, la mecanica de drift esta buenisima, dominas la barrida y sos vos...

Je vais très vite!

Love this game. Love the dev. Love the music. If Slipstream 2 ever releases, instant purchase regardless of price or reviews. Thank you so much for giving us such an amazing experience.

it's one of those rare occasions where simplicity and extremely fun make up for a good couple, also the soundtrack is peak