Heading Out

“Heading Out has a clear sense of style and carries the whole experience. It falters a little with the driving model and some small bugs.”

“The blend of incredible atmosphere, importance of audio, stylish visuals and simple gameplay come together here in a game that feels luxurious to dive into. The stark graphical style and comic-book nods add to that sense of a pulpy narrative, and the pull of raw America and its myriad citizens bring the states to life in a way that kept me coming back for more. Serious Sim have definitely nailed a vibe here, and it’s a vibe I’d very much like to see continued in future games, lovely stuff.”

“Crunching Koalas, together with Serious Sim, invites us to take part in this unique road trip across the United States. Although at first glance it may seem like a racing game, the truth is that the narrative plays a crucial role in this case.”

“Heading Out gives you a roguelike driving experience where you must pace yourself and manage your money. The driving mechanics are solid and there are lots of variations to keep gameplay interesting. Once you beat the game, there’s no incentive to replay the game again. It’s a solid yet short roguelike experience that driving fans will enjoy.”

“Heading Out is an interesting proposition that stands out for its themes, its uncompromising arcade racing style, and its visual aesthetic. It lacks much of the randomness that should be emphasized in a roguelike, which sometimes makes the experience unpleasant.”

“It goes without saying that all of the best driving games have lovely buttery handling. The kind that makes you want to keep coming back for more, sim...”

“Heading Out delivers a unique gaming experience, and a powerful piece of storytelling. It has the strangest mix of gameplay elements and mechanics I’ve ever seen, and whilst it probably shouldn’t work, it does so well.”

“A beautifully designed title with an engaging narrative, Heading Out is definitely a journey worth experiencing.”

“Heading Out effectively combines the narrative and racing genres, then mixes in rouge-like elements to create something utterly unique. This is a game that thrives on the little details it provides the players, giving them just enough breadcrumbs to make connections on their own to concoct their own theories.”

“On the streets of Heading Out, there is some confusion. Serious Sim's game tries to combine racing and storytelling through some micro-management mechanics, but the balance between the parts does not hold for the entire game, and every now and then the narrative path seems inexorably shaped by the availability of resources. Heading Out, however, shows his best to eyes and ears, as the gray roads of North America flow beneath the wheels and the cassette tape in the stereo blasts a perfect travel soundtrack into the speakers.”

“I hadn’t heard anything about Heading Out before it landed in my lap for review, and I am so grateful it did. I absolutely loved the gritty, 70’s feel of the racing and multiple vehicles. And I already gushed over the awesome soundtrack and radio personalities, as a fan of the talk radio in the recent GTA games this felt right up there as far as production value, content, and laughs. Mix all those things together and you end up with one mesmerizing road trip, that fans of the genre will be glad they took.”

“A nice comic trip across the USA. It has a good idea, atmosphere, processing, and even the basis of the gameplay is not bad, it's just a shame that the gameplay is gradually the same and there are not enough new options to keep the game interesting”

“Heading Out is one of the most inventive games I've played all year, with plenty of replayability, great ideas, and an engaging story.”

“Heading Out doesn't fulfil its true potential. But while its story isn't as gripping as it should be, and its driving mechanics aren't anything special, together, along with an eye-catching black and white comic book visual style, they make for an enjoyable time on the whole.”

“Heading Out is an intricate, compelling story that mixes modular storytelling and roguelike structure with deeply America-flavored media of the 1970s and on, particularly the “road” genre. I’m not a car guy but I do enjoy some crusty Americana, especially the kind that challenges authority and romanticizes the sheer scale and variety of this unhinged nation. Sometimes it may get a little too cute for its own good, but for the most part Heading Out captures its intended vibe with a shocking level of skill and accuracy, an academic level of cultural understanding through a lens of media and literature. That’s pretty darn cool. Between that and the intriguing, almost insincere roguelike structure, we have a game that doesn’t really feel like anything else in its own space.”

“Heading Out is an interesting racing game that blends narrative-driven elements successfully. The moment to moment gameplay is serviceable at the very least, with sections of real strength, but the experience is truly elevated by the game's atmosphere and structure. It won't be for everyone, but those who enjoy a title that tries to hybridize different ideas that shouldn't necessarily work together will certainly come to appreciate its full and compelling world.”

“Heading Out is a decent game for those looking for primarily a driving-based game, and it delivers a fun, fast-paced adventure game where you choose how your story will play out.”

“An impressive ode to the classics of the 1970s, Heading Out is a unique blend of genres with its own unique gameplay twists that make it worth checking out, whether you're a fan of high-octane driving or strategy-focused resource management. Dripping with style, a killer soundtrack and a ton of interesting stories along the way, it makes for one mesmerizing road trip, with the journey being one that Serious Sim should be proud of.”