Slipstream

Summary

Slipstream is a racing game drawing inspiration from the OutRun series, SEGA titles overall, Initial D, along with the visual styles of Vaporwave and Synthwave, and the energy of 90s arcades. It employs a genuine pseudo-3D engine to deliver a classic retro feel wrapped in a modern package. Following a 2016 Kickstarter campaign and several delays the team wishes had been avoided, the game launched as an independent title on PC in 2018.

Storyline

After a development journey that saw its fair share of challenges over a span of more than two years since the successful Kickstarter launch in January 2016, the game is now ready to roll. Drawing inspiration from the games, sounds, and visuals of the late 80s and early 90s, Slipstream takes its core concept from the arcade legend OutRun: a thrilling road trip across stunning global landscapes, with branching routes at the end of each stage letting players pick their next adventure. The driving experience is enhanced by two key mechanics—drifting, essential for navigating tight turns, and the game's signature move, the slipstream, a high-risk, high-reward maneuver that can give players a powerful speed boost when executed correctly. Of course, no racing game would be complete without actual competition, and Slipstream delivers in three distinct ways. In Arcade Mode, players face off in one-on-one duels against a cast of unique and memorable rival drivers in each stage. Quick Race Mode is straightforward—just a single race on any of the game's 20 tracks. And for those looking for a longer challenge, Grand Prix Mode offers a five-race season in a row, complete with leaderboards and cash prizes to spend on car upgrades. Slipstream is built on a custom pseudo3D game engine. That means it uses traditional 2D sprite scaling to create the illusion of depth, without any 3D models or "true" 3D graphics. It's designed to look and feel just like the classics of yesteryear, including some nostalgic engine quirks, while modern hardware allows for added comforts like a smooth 60fps frame rate and texture filtering. The soundtrack was also crafted using authentic synthesizers from the era, including the Yamaha DX-21, to ensure the game sounds as vintage as it appears. With vivid pixel art visuals, punchy synth music, and true-to-form gameplay, Slipstream seeks to satisfy retro fans' craving for a classic arcade racer while still offering enough modern polish to appeal to a new generation of players.

Screenshots

Release dates by platform

Artwork

Supported languages

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