X-Out: Resurfaced
Critic Reviews for X-Out: Resurfaced
X-Out: Resurfaced is a quality remake of a shoot 'em up originally released for the Commodore 64. The original's underwater setting and submarine customization options are now supported by improved graphics, UI fixes, and a co-op mode that should help it appeal to more than just those seeking their retro fix.
While this remake introduces many worthwhile additions — remade sprites, remastered music, helpful quality-of-life upgrades, and a brand new co-op offering — it doesn't do anything to remedy the original's balance issues or elevate its rudimentary scoring system.
X-Out is back thanks KRITZELKRATZ 3000 and Rainbow Arts, as the legendary developer returns in a big way for X-Out: Resurfaced. I can only fathom of a few retro remakes that look and feel this good to play. It was a game ahead of its time, and the depths it goes to be an engaging and challenging shmup. X-Out: Resurfaced is faithfully recreated, and this unique shoot’em up is for all to enjoy once again or for the first time.
X-Out: Resurfaced is a nostalgic dive into a glorious past that, alas, will never return. The game by Rainbow Arts resurfaces today with a re-edition that is faithful to the original, with all its pros and cons. Spectacular for its time, despite being derivative, the German shoot 'em up shows its age, flaws that were easier to overlook in the early '90s. Not very long and somewhat unbalanced, this intense underwater race still has a special charm, thanks to its solid technical execution and some notable ideas. The shooter market has made significant strides since then, but if you're eager to experience an old classic (though not the best), I recommend giving it a go. Just keep your expectations in check.
Review in Italian | Read full review
For a remaster of a 30+ year old game, the developer did a surprisingly good job with X-Out: Resurfaced. The controls and overall gameplay is solid and holds up pretty well. Being able to customize one of the four submarines to tailor your playstyle is a nice twist. But it doesn’t make it any easier. Lack of continues and extra lives (unless you have enough to buy additional(s) subs) makes for a frustrating and repetitive experience as dying boots you back to the main menu. If you’re looking for a hard as nail shmup experience, this is one of the best. If you’re looking to dip your toes in the genre, this ain’t it.
As it stands, this is yet another decent addition to the Switch’s digital marketplace of retro releases. X-Out: Resurfaced is a cool curiosity to pop out of what would otherwise be the depths of videogaming side catalog. That’s not to say it’s a bad game, though. While I wouldn’t call it a must-buy, it is a neat little download to have in case you get a hankering to play something old-school on the go.
