Get Ready for X-Out!
ININ has been on a ross when it comes to compilations and remasters of classic games. And so, in collaboration with KRITZELKRATZ 3000 and Rainbow Arts, they’ve remastered the Amiga classic X-Out, with X-Out: Resurfaced.
X-Out (pronounced Cross-Out) is a sidescrolling shooter Where you build up your fleet of subs to take down an alien invasion coming from the ocean depths. The original game is tough, yet fair (not like I’d know, I never owned any of the computers that ran the game back in the day), though, as it gives you the ability to customize your subs as you see fit.
The remastering job here is quite good, graphically offering a vibrancy not seen in the original release. Much of the game is brighter and rewdrawn, though there are some surfaces you’ll likely crash into for a game over on more than one occasion that are maybe a bit darker than I’d like. I was fine, I certainly didn’t crash into the back wall of the first boss’ room twice because I simply didn’t see it, no sir.
Also on offer is a remastered soundtrack by Chris Huelsbeck. It’s a synth-heavy affair that’s suitably aquatic. The developers also provided 6 new tracks for the game, as well.
Also, they knew the game was likely a bit tough for modern players. So, after a certain number of deaths, cheats will unlock. They do a number of things, like increasing the starting cash for the shop, or disabling collision damage with elements of the environment. Granted, you can’t earn Achievement progress with them enabled, but if all you want is to see all the game has to offer, don’t feel too bad about wrapping your sub around a stalagtite.
On first boot up, I got a screen on Steam notifying me that the game is best played with a controller. Which, honestly, I’m not accustomed to. Then again, I’ve run across many, many people that claim that it’s easier for them to play games made for controllers on mouse and keyboard (even when that seems, in my personal opinion, incorrect to me), so seeing such a thing was at least novel.
Finally, every time you boot the game, you get a faux-crack screen, as something of a little joke. It’s a small thing, but the attention to detail is appreciated. Worth noting that they had to let you know that it’s not an actual cracked version of the game, though.
Onto the actual game, however. X-Out did a few things different back in the day. First and foremost, the shop. You’re given a certain number of credits to buy your sub and its loadout right at the beginning. You can even reposition certain elements, like satellites, wherever you want them. It is worth mentioning that the number of lives you have is equal to the number of subs you have bought. Meaning that if you fully deck out your first sub (and you probably should), you’re going to be a one-life wonder. As such, lives are precious and costly, so it’s on you to learn the levels and bosses carefully. A change in Resurfaced is the addition of three preset builds in case you just want to get into the action. Two of these will leave very little funds to alter them, but they’re relatively well made, so it is what it is.
The other major difference in X-Out to other games in the genre is that it gives you control of your speed. This is mapped to the left and right bumper by default and can really help in boss battles. being able to move faster than standard can help you evade attacks you otherwise may have been forced to take.
So is X-Out: Resurfaced recommended? Yeah, I’d say so. My sorry, churchmouse-ass might not pull the trigger on it at $20, but I imagine that’s a bit more reasonable for people that have the money to spend. Also worth noting is that it’s currently $2 off as an introductory offer through February 26th. So, striking when the iron is hot has benefits.
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