Redout 2 is an AG Racer for veterans of the genre. If you've never played an AG game and you pick this one up first you are likely to:

- Complain about the track design
- Complain about the controls
- Complain about the repetition and campaign length
- Complain about the progression
- Complain about the difficulty

If you've spent time in other AG racers before, such as Wipeout, Ballistic.NG, etc. then you'll likely find the track design, difficulty, and control complaints irrelevant. If you haven't played other AG racers before, I strongly recommend trying Ballistic.NG, Wipeout, or Fast RMX first. Redout 2 is a refreshing and demanding, yet rewarding take on the genre that veterans are sure to appreciate.

The control scheme is as unique as it is gratifying, as gratifying as it is responsive; strafing forces a complete re-write of racing fundamentals. Where in a normal game you'd likely brake before a sharp turn, in Redout 2 you oftentimes do not have to break at all, but instead counterstrafe to widen your turn whilst losing minimal speed. This leads to a sense of fluidity that traditional racing games do not provide. And while other AG racers also take on a unique approach to steering in the form of air breaks, those are really just an extension of the traditional steering approach. You really feel the anti-gravity in Redout 2, and a skilled pilot can glide through a track in an immensely satisfying way.

There are also two types of boost. Both raise your heat gauge, which, when full, will eat into your hull (which quickly regenerates when not taking damage). Boost timing and hull management, when paired with the unique handling mechanics, result in an insanely high skill ceiling in controls alone.

Sense of speed is absolutely bonkers in this game.

The ship variety is good, but progression can be a frustrating barrier to unlocking the most satisfying ships. Many of the first ships you unlock focus on tankiness, something that I find antithetical to the aura of the game. However, the base ship is quite good and nine times out of ten picking it until you unlock some of the quicker, nimbler, more fragile ships is a safe bet. Cosmetic progression is equally held back, but performance progression is acceptable.

Track design is absolutely incredible, with so many brain-melting turn sequences that really reward track memorization and quick reflexes. Any complaints about track design are in my eyes unsubstantiated because people aren't willing to memorize tracks and expect everything to be easy from the get go, as is the case in many traditional racing games.

Track variety is in a similar boat to the design. There is a sufficient quantity of tracks and styles, but many might be deterred by re-used portions shared between tracks. I personally appreciate these re-used portions, as they act as a "safe space" in which I can maximize speed due to their familiarity.

The most divisive thing about the game, even among experienced players, are the air controls. They are janky for sure, but once you become familiarized with the courses, you can control the chaos enough to survive any jump.

The last thing worth noting is that the game is effectively dead. Portions of the main menu are greyed out, and I don't expect that ever to change. If you want an online race, you'll have to find people on Discord, and they will probably be way better than you. However, there is more than enough content in what is available to justify a purchase at full price.

In conclusion: If you're tired of blazing through every traditional arcade racing game without any challenge, pick up Ballistic.NG or Wipeout. If you've already played either of those, and are looking for a modern take on the genre, play Redout 2. It breathes new life into the dying genre of AG Racers, and has unprecedented depth.