Running from what?

The game has a very interesting proposal, it mixes racing elements with a very good narrative, with a vibe from 70s movies, where the character has to cross the USA to find the best pilot of all time and challenge him to a race.

All this while running away from your embodied fears, if they catch you the game ends and you must start a new campaign, which is a very cool game mechanic that fits very well with the entire game theme, which deals with sensitive topics.

Some of these topics you choose before starting the campaign, and they will be addressed during gameplay through the radio host in the car's sound, who accompanies you throughout the gameplay, whether it's: while you cross the country, evade the police or bet on a race.
 

These themes can address topics such as: Unresolved relationships, a dream that cannot be fulfilled, a love that has not been overcome, among several other topics that are addressed during gameplay, combined with the relaxing moments the game has after each mission is a great combination.

Heading Out is not just a driving game. Traveling the open road is obviously an important part, but the story also matters a lot. Each stretch of your journey will lead you to encounters with locals and police, improvised races, and radio station breaks, before ending in a town or village where you will refuel, rest a bit, and have some brief adventures before hitting the road again.
 

It's not about the destination, it's about the journey

It's not the destination, it's the journey is a cliché that applies very well here. As you race across the United States, your legend known as "Jackalope" grows, and this has a real impact on the game through dialogue options and comments about your exploits from a radio announcer narrating your journey.

But this reputation can also be affected by decisions you make during gameplay, such as helping some black boys who are facing a tough police approach, attracting the attention of the police and starting a chase so the boys can escape, in this case you can help the boys or simply run away, if you choose to help, this will positively affect your reputation, but there will be a risk of being caught by the police.
 

The gameplay itself is very simple, you don't have major driving mechanics or map mechanics, something that at first seems like a negative point, but I believe it is intentional, the focus is on the narrative, and therefore the gameplay is ideal.

Considering that you will come across dialogues and parts of the story in the middle of a mission or when you are just driving, it is crucial that the driving mode be simpler, so that the player can follow the lore without having to worry about failing the mission or crashing the car.

Other interesting points of the gameplay that were briefly mentioned are the mechanics you have on the map, where the player can choose which path to take, where you can have benefits and drawbacks, a longer path you can spend more fuel and take longer, but in return you can earn more money and avoid the police.
 

You also have to worry about fuel, the level of car destruction, both of which cost money that you win by winning races, and especially with the distance of your fears, which if you choose long breaks for rest, which is another resource your character needs, and longer paths, it ends up catching up with you.

Enjoying the road

One of the most interesting points of the game is its aesthetics, the cartoon-style black and white graphics add even more to this retro aesthetic reminiscent of 70s movies with an automotive theme like the cult classic "Vanishing Point" which possibly served as inspiration for the game.

The soundtrack is also very good in this game, with original tracks that fit very well with the atmosphere the game wants to convey, and they always appear at the right times, without interrupting the storytelling and helping in the atmosphere of the races and chases.

And a very interesting aspect of the game is the themes it addresses, such as racism, mental health, anxiety, depression, inequality, and other social problems that plague the real world and are constantly shown during the game's narrative, bringing the player closer to the lore.

For all these details and qualities mentioned, I believe Heading Out is an excellent game, for its relaxing and immersive gameplay, but mainly for its story that captivates and engages the player, even touching on sensitive topics, it brings the player closer and causes identification with the chosen characteristics.

We thank Saber Interactive for providing a key in advance for game analysis.