A remake of OutRun
OutRun is an upgrade of the 1986 arcade release of OutRun, presented entirely in 3D. Whereas the "original" mode is almost identical to the arcade game (with an option to switch between the slightly different Japanese and overseas courses), an "arrange" mode offers an entirely new course, rival cars and more mountainous terrain to take advantage of the 3D visuals. There is also an arranged soundtrack.
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This is a great playing version of outrun but holy shit if there's one thing you shouldn't fuck up in this game that's the visuals. The new stages are nice but it's hard to be excited when they play exactly like every other stage and
A great remake of the original Outrun.
There's some changes here that are good and bad, though.
Negatives; I think the game is easier. I can't really figure out why, but my guess is that they grant you more time to complete the course as my times were longer than in the Sega Ages Outrun version on the Switch and even more than in Cannonball. This is my main complaint. It's certainly not a dealbreaker, however. There's also the possible that I've just played way too much Outrun over the years, so my opinion of the difficulty may be skewed. I'm not going to knock off any points due to that.
Neutral; I think the larger vehicle sizes will make this version of the game harder for some. You can zip through some smaller spaces in the original but you will almost definitely clip vehicles when you race in this version. It's a bit more RNG for that reason but it didn't bother me much.
Positives; I think the biggest change, however, is the addition of Arrange mode. This mode legitimately rules. It is definitely the reason to play the PS2 version. It's now 7 stages long, though they converge (1>2>3>4>3>2>1). You have new courses like the Canyon and Vegas which are awesome, and you have to race against a rival per stage, and they stack. The tension of accidentally slowing down can cause a rival to speed up past you and even knock you off course. It's a very good mode. You have to play really, really well. I've read some people also didn't like the remixed music? They're good remixes. They don't touch the originals or the Switch version's music, but I enjoyed them.
I think this version of Outrun is worth playing. I beat it in 5 hours with the base settings (I played on Normal; I can't figure out the difference between Easy, Normal and Hard, but I think it's like the original's dip switch which just adds more vehicles). I cleared every original race, and the Arrange mode while beating all seven rivals. Upload here: https://youtu.be/GZGMK2XoL-8
Definitely recommending this one. It's only a 4/5 instead of a 5/5 because I do think the original game is just superior in nearly every way. If this game did not have Arrange mode, I would see no reason to come back, but the Arrange mode is worth returning for.
There's some changes here that are good and bad, though.
Negatives; I think the game is easier. I can't really figure out why, but my guess is that they grant you more time to complete the course as my times were longer than in the Sega Ages Outrun version on the Switch and even more than in Cannonball. This is my main complaint. It's certainly not a dealbreaker, however. There's also the possible that I've just played way too much Outrun over the years, so my opinion of the difficulty may be skewed. I'm not going to knock off any points due to that.
Neutral; I think the larger vehicle sizes will make this version of the game harder for some. You can zip through some smaller spaces in the original but you will almost definitely clip vehicles when you race in this version. It's a bit more RNG for that reason but it didn't bother me much.
Positives; I think the biggest change, however, is the addition of Arrange mode. This mode legitimately rules. It is definitely the reason to play the PS2 version. It's now 7 stages long, though they converge (1>2>3>4>3>2>1). You have new courses like the Canyon and Vegas which are awesome, and you have to race against a rival per stage, and they stack. The tension of accidentally slowing down can cause a rival to speed up past you and even knock you off course. It's a very good mode. You have to play really, really well. I've read some people also didn't like the remixed music? They're good remixes. They don't touch the originals or the Switch version's music, but I enjoyed them.
I think this version of Outrun is worth playing. I beat it in 5 hours with the base settings (I played on Normal; I can't figure out the difference between Easy, Normal and Hard, but I think it's like the original's dip switch which just adds more vehicles). I cleared every original race, and the Arrange mode while beating all seven rivals. Upload here: https://youtu.be/GZGMK2XoL-8
Definitely recommending this one. It's only a 4/5 instead of a 5/5 because I do think the original game is just superior in nearly every way. If this game did not have Arrange mode, I would see no reason to come back, but the Arrange mode is worth returning for.
A surreal 3D Outrun remake that excites me more than the pixel original. The more I play it the more perfect it feels.
im stunned this version of outrun doesn't get more recognition. it's really pretty excellent, existing as an unabridged remake of outrun in the sega ages budget line for the PS2...but it's more akin to a sequel. the original arcade mode, whether you prefer to play a jpn cabinet or 'overseas', can still be accessed, of course, and there have been a few minor tweaks so as to maximize outrun's tranquil and contemplative atmosphere - checkpoints grant just a few more seconds of bonus time, crashes send you hurtling forward with increased momentum, switching gears is a bit more trouble-free. time and difficulty can also be tweaked as well, so this is really outrun as the ultimate carefree experience. but this iteration also throws in a time attack mode and an 'arrange' mode with three newly implemented remixes of outruns triumvirate of songs that sees you take on a diamond shaped route as opposed to a pyramid. while it always ends in the same way, there are more sights to see and routes to take that make full use of the PS2's capabilities, and sega made the smart decision of re-implementing rivals from turbo outrun. they won't steal your girlfriend this time but they're legitimately challenging foes that offer a bit more nuance to route selection and scoring, especially if one's aim is to take down all seven rivals. in the scenario that you've let the rivals slip, if you want to surpass them you'll have no choice but to follow them through branching paths which often means you wont find yourself taking the same few paths time and time again...it becomes outrun configured as close to pure instinct.
it's probably actually deserving of a 5/5, but ill sit on it for a while; it's obviously not quite as visually appealing and how you feel about your vehicle's size and distance from the camera in relation to the original might vary from one playthrough to the next. still, this is a complete and total iteration of an arcade classic, retaining that 80's spark of adventure and mastery over play-induced zen.
it's probably actually deserving of a 5/5, but ill sit on it for a while; it's obviously not quite as visually appealing and how you feel about your vehicle's size and distance from the camera in relation to the original might vary from one playthrough to the next. still, this is a complete and total iteration of an arcade classic, retaining that 80's spark of adventure and mastery over play-induced zen.