Heading Out (PS5) | REVIEW | High Stakes Highway Hijinks

Developed by Serious Sim and published by Crunching Koalas, Heading Out is a narrative-focused adventure that puts you behind the wheel as an outlaw driver escaping personal demons across a stylized version of the American West. The core premise revolves around embarking on cross-country journeys where your backstory, motivations, and decisions influence the unfolding events, leading to chases, encounters, and a confrontation with a legendary racer, all while managing the psychological weight of fear that pursues you like a relentless shadow.

The game's content blends storytelling with light strategy, drawing inspiration from classic road-trip films to create an experience that's more about the emotional and moral path than straightforward racing. You'll customize your driver's traits at the start, which affect how the world reacts to you, and navigate through a series of interconnected stories involving quirky NPCs, ethical dilemmas, and random events. 

Key features include a dynamic world map for route planning, where choices impact your reputation, police attention, and resource availability, adding layers of tension to each run. There are no traditional multiplayer modes, but the single-player campaign incorporates roguelike elements for procedural variety, encouraging multiple playthroughs to unlock different narratives and endings. Bonus features are minimal, though the game supports controller enhancements like haptic feedback on PS5 for a more immersive feel during drives.

The Gameplay ...

In terms of gameplay, Heading Out splits time between strategic planning and action-oriented driving. On the map screen, you plot your course across states, balancing factors like fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance, rest needs, and evading authorities. Poor management can lead to breakdowns or captures that end your run prematurely. 

Driving segments kick in during high-stakes moments, such as outrunning cops, competing in impromptu street races, or dodging hazards, with simple controls emphasizing speed and evasion over complex simulation. Mechanics like a "fear meter" add urgency, as accumulating stress warps the environment and ramps up difficulty, while dialogue choices in encounters can alter alliances, unlock shortcuts, or escalate conflicts, making every decision feel consequential.

The Presentation ...

Visually, the game stands out with its striking black-and-white comic-book aesthetic, accented by selective bursts of color to emphasize dramatic elements like sunsets or warning signals, giving it a gritty, noir-inspired vibe that complements the themes of isolation and pursuit. Graphics are clean and performant on PS5, with smooth framerates during fast-paced sequences and detailed environments that evoke mid-20th-century Americana without overwhelming detail. The soundtrack elevates the mood further, featuring a mix of jazz, rock, and folk tunes played through in-game radio stations, complete with DJ banter that reacts to your exploits, creating a cohesive auditory road-trip atmosphere that's both nostalgic and immersive.

The Verdict ...

Overall, Heading Out delivers a fresh take on the driving genre by prioritizing story and choice over pure speed, making it a compelling pick for fans of narrative adventures at its affordable price point of around $20. While runs can feel short if you play conservatively, the roguelike structure provides strong replay value through varied paths, character builds, and outcomes, easily justifying multiple hours of exploration. It's worth buying if you're seeking something introspective and stylish, though racing purists might find the mechanics too light. Ultimately, it's a solid indie gem that punches above its weight in creativity and atmosphere.