Heading Out

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 256 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Heading Out Game Cover
Heading Out is one of the most inventive games I've played all year, with plenty of replayability, great ideas, and an engaging story.
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"Heading Out" is an immersive driving game and visual novel that takes you on a journey of self-discovery down American highways. The game features a unique road trip each time based on your driver's motivations, decisions, and choices. With an eclectic soundtrack and varying systems, players must manage fuel consumption, car condition, and wanted level while meeting colorful characters along the way. The game emphasizes that it's not about the destination, but the journey.

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Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 256 reviews
story52 positive mentions
character development3 negative mentions
  • The visuals and art style are stunning, creating a unique comic book aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
  • The soundtrack is fantastic, featuring a mix of engaging music that fits the game's atmosphere and enhances the driving experience.
  • The narrative elements are well-written, with interesting characters and storylines that provide depth and emotional engagement.
  • The driving mechanics can feel unresponsive and janky, leading to frustrating moments during races and police chases.
  • The game often prioritizes resource management and map navigation over actual driving, which can be disappointing for players expecting a more traditional racing experience.
  • Some of the radio hosts and dialogue can be grating or overly political, detracting from the immersion and enjoyment of the game.
  • story182 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players praising its engaging narrative and emotional depth, while others criticize it for being shallow and poorly executed. Many reviews highlight the interactive storytelling elements and character choices, but note that these choices often lack significant impact on the overall plot. The reliance on radio hosts for narrative delivery has been polarizing, with some finding it entertaining and others deeming it annoying, ultimately leading to a perception that the game prioritizes storytelling over driving mechanics.

    • “The story definitely takes center stage here, but the gameplay loop was addicting with high stakes which carry the story to be appreciated.”
    • “I felt a wide variety of emotions playing this game and listening to its story about the people the Interstate Jackalope interacts with.”
    • “Great game, based on Vanishing Point, trying to make that story more complete and you better understanding yourself.”
    • “For a story that tells me it's all about me (the character in the game), nothing really relates to me, besides some meta game outputs.”
    • “Narratively, this game has nothing unique to say because its fill-in-the-blank style of creating your character's backstory makes you a bland self-insert, and it fails to make any story choices that truly impact the result, killing the visual novel perspective.”
    • “The main problem is with the radio hosts and their dialogues; unlike the main story, I can't tell if the writers were trying to be corny but took themselves way too seriously or the other way around. It's like a college professor went substitute in a high school and decided to act like the most unprofessional class clown to be 'cool'.”
  • music87 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising the diverse and engaging soundtrack that enhances the driving experience and fits the game's aesthetic. While some players found the radio hosts and certain tracks less appealing, the overall consensus highlights the soundtrack's ability to immerse players in the 1970s road trip vibe, making it a significant aspect of the gameplay. However, a few reviewers noted that the music could become repetitive over time and suggested the inclusion of more rock and soul tracks.

    • “The soundtrack is incredible and goes so well when you're racing strangers or outrunning police!”
    • “There's a brilliant thematic consistency in building on music (for races) and talk radio (for stories) so much, it really throws you into that road trip feeling.”
    • “The music is phenomenal.”
    • “The soundtrack is bad.”
    • “Main radio personalities are awful; the music varies but doesn't have enough to get you through the entire game without listening to the same songs more than a few times.”
    • “It's just the music tracks interspersed with all-too-crisp-and-not-at-all-processed-like-a-radio-sounding audio segments by mostly zoomer DJs with almost nothing interesting or amusing to talk about.”
  • gameplay87 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mix of narrative-driven elements and driving mechanics, with players navigating a world map while engaging in races and making strategic choices. While some players appreciate the unique blend of genres and the engaging story, many criticize the driving mechanics as clunky and the gameplay loop as repetitive, often feeling more like a visual novel than a traditional racing game. Overall, the experience is polarizing, with some finding enjoyment in its style and narrative, while others are disappointed by the lack of depth and optimization in the gameplay.

    • “A 70s Americana 'roadtrip' style game with a gameplay loop between segments of chases/races, board game/RPG strategization/management, and narrative 'choices matter' text adventure gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay loop was addicting with high stakes that carry the story to be appreciated. Lots of replayability from a side quest standpoint.”
    • “The gameplay is very solid; some cars are very hard to steer, but the story and little scenarios that played captivated me.”
    • “The fear mechanic is such a non-issue, it might as well not be there.”
    • “What really put me off is the total lack of optimization and basic configuration limitations this game has considering its lackluster gameplay when driving.”
    • “Advertised as a racing roguelike, but it's actually a visual novel with much less driving gameplay than expected.”
  • graphics50 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their unique comic book art style, which effectively immerses players in a vibrant 1970s American road trip setting. Many reviewers praised the striking visuals and aesthetic coherence, noting that the art enhances the narrative experience, although some mentioned issues with performance and occasional blurriness. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.

    • “Absolutely love the visuals and storyboard in this game!”
    • “The game did well immersing the player into the movie-esque 1970s American road trip setting with the graphics, having an American map that you can travel in, and mechanisms like the songs and state borders.”
    • “I loved the sound of that, purchased the game and spent the first bit of it falling in love with the visuals and aesthetic of it all, the almost comic style of the colors and flashy visuals paired with the 70's setting made the game feel lively all throughout for me even to the end.”
    • “A demolition derby racer with a comic art-style approach, which players didn’t appreciate much.”
    • “It is a fun game, but crashes at least every second run on Steam Deck no matter what graphical settings are used.”
    • “The aesthetics and soundtrack completely carry the game, because the racing itself is low speed, high drag on dull maps after the tutorial map.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the varied story routes and the potential for different experiences with each playthrough, others feel that the lack of diverse environments and repetitive gameplay diminish its long-term appeal. Many users highlight the enjoyment of replaying on higher difficulties or to explore missed narratives, but some caution against expecting endless replay value. Overall, the game offers a decent level of replayability, particularly for those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences.

    • “Has replayability value - I will run it again on higher difficulty, also to see some stories missed during the first playthrough.”
    • “I would recommend this game for the replay value, since each playthrough you can choose whatever route you like, you will end up with different experiences along the way.”
    • “Just don't expect endless replay value.”
    • “Replayability is on hand to stretch out the lifespan, but I expect I’ll get more value out of the updates it gets.”
    • “The result is gripping, and there is an absolute ton of well-written scenarios to make that journey diverse, and add plenty of replayability.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by charismatic writing and engaging characters, with a mix of comedic moments, social commentary, and emotional depth. While many players appreciate the clever parodies and entertaining radio commentary, some find the humor polarizing, particularly those with differing political views. Overall, the game offers a blend of amusing events and quirky dialogue that can elicit both laughter and reflection.

    • “I love the writing; the characters are charismatic and funny. The Woodstock '69 bit really got a good laugh out of me.”
    • “They provide a nice bit of humor and entertainment as they comment on some of your story choices or try to 'figure you out'.”
    • “The game shines most in the small events on the road and in the towns, from those that actually moved me to others that are funny parodies of famous works.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players noting a lack of basic configuration options and performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware and handheld devices like the Steam Deck. While the art style and overall performance are praised, there are concerns about eye strain and occasional frame drops on higher settings, indicating a need for further optimization fixes.

    • “The game could have been optimized for far lower-end hardware just to let modern iGPUs handle it, making the game far more accessible. Even an obvious resolution selection would have been nice.”
    • “Superb looking art style, very well realized, and solid stable performance.”
    • “Graphically interesting, good performance, and solid mechanics.”
    • “What really put me off is the total lack of optimization and basic configuration limitations this game has considering its lackluster gameplay when driving.”
    • “The game could have been optimized for far lower-end hardware just to let modern iGPUs handle it, so the game would have been far more accessible. Even an obvious resolution selection would have been nice.”
    • “However, the game needs some optimization fixes.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt storytelling and character interactions, which resonate deeply with players, evoking personal reflections and emotional attachments. However, some reviewers feel that the method of character customization and the forced nature of emotional prompts detract from the overall experience, suggesting that a more organic approach could enhance the emotional impact. Despite these critiques, many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke genuine feelings, making it a memorable and worthwhile experience.

    • “It's a short but charming heartfelt visual novel driving game.”
    • “One of the scenes I experienced, having low focus and driving over one of the conversation blips, showed my version of Jackie so tired, so stressed, and so emotional behind the wheel.”
    • “It also made me think about some personal stuff, and I honestly got emotional.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its excellent visual style, engaging soundtrack, and a strong narrative that evokes a sense of Americana, reminiscent of classic films like "Vanishing Point." However, some players felt misled by marketing, expecting a more traditional racing experience, only to find a story-driven visual novel with limited driving elements, leading to mixed feelings about the overall engagement and gameplay loop. Ultimately, while the atmosphere is compelling, it may not satisfy those seeking a more action-oriented racing game.

    • “Buy it if you want a racing game with a greater focus on story and atmosphere.”
    • “Excellent visual style, atmosphere and soundtrack.”
    • “It was a dark, brooding, slow burn that was driven (no pun intended) by its atmosphere and the situations the protagonist got into.”
    • “This had the potential to be fun but whatever point the devs were trying to make with the story got in the way of an actual gameplay loop, atmosphere, and concept.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for feeling forced and disjointed, particularly due to the way personal backstory is integrated through a questionnaire format that detracts from immersion. While some minor character interactions are praised for their charisma, the most compelling development is seen in Joy's struggle to escape an abusive marriage, highlighting a more nuanced and engaging narrative thread. Overall, the approach to character customization and development appears misaligned with the game's genre, leading to a sense of hollowness in the experience.

    • “Joy, on the other hand, is struggling with getting away from an abusive marriage, and listening to her trying to understand her shifting views of everything is the most interesting character development in the game.”
    • “The minor characterizations we get in roadside events, where you have 2-4 options for a given situation, lead to pre-written responses and actions that create a charismatic, well-written character for the small amount of content provided.”
    • “The character design feels weird and largely non-cohesive. While the idea of personalizing the character is interesting, it seems forced when the game explicitly asks for personal details at the start of every act. This could have been handled better, perhaps by having a questionnaire at the beginning that feels more integrated into the story, rather than a settings menu. It feels like the customization aspect was misunderstood, leading to a hollow experience that doesn't add much value.”
    • “The way character development is implemented feels like a missed opportunity. Instead of creating a meaningful backstory, the game resorts to generic questions that feel more like a checklist than a genuine exploration of the character. This approach detracts from the emotional impact the game aims for, making it feel contrived and less engaging.”
    • “The character customization feels unnecessary and poorly executed. In games where character development is crucial, like RPGs, it serves a purpose, but here it feels like a waste of time. The attempt to make the villain's taunts personal is undermined by the forced nature of the character creation process, leaving the player feeling disconnected from the narrative.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game experiences some minor glitches, such as audio issues, but these do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment. Players report having a great time despite these stability concerns.

    • “There are a few glitches in the game; however, I had an amazing time with it.”
    • “There are some minor glitches, such as audio cutting out.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as tedious and unenjoyable, with frequent loading screens contributing to a frustrating experience. While some players may find it relaxing, others feel that the repetitive nature of tasks, akin to farming simulations, can be overly dull.

    • “Every aspect of this game is tedious, unenjoyable, and separated by loading screens.”
    • “I highly suggest this game for people who want to relax a bit, but playing farming sim is just a bit too boring.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has led to disappointment among users, as many expected a dynamic driving experience but instead encountered a resource management visual novel with minimal driving elements. While the atmosphere is appreciated, the lack of engaging gameplay and upgrades has left players feeling bored and misled.

    • “The monetization in this game is frustrating; it feels like every corner I turn, there's a paywall blocking my progress, making it hard to enjoy the experience without spending extra money.”
    • “I was really disappointed with the monetization strategy. It seems like the developers prioritized profit over player experience, which ruins the fun.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall enjoyment. It feels like I'm being nickel-and-dimed at every turn.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

65% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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