When I first stumbled upon Ripout’s Steam Page, I was immediately drawn in. There’s just something irresistibly charming about space horror games. Maybe it’s the eerie atmosphere, the intricate world designs, or the captivating stories that keep me coming back for more. Ripout ticks all these boxes, and I’m here to share my thoughts on it in this preview.
The Story of Ripout (And Humanity’s Eternal Hubris)
The game kicks off with humanity engaged in its favorite pastime—war, specifically a corporate battle over resources. This conflict is abruptly halted by an invasion from another universe. You know humans; if there’s one thing they love more than fighting each other, it’s fighting unknown beings.
Faced with this new threat, humanity does the sensible thing and unites against the invaders. Unfortunately, even a united front isn’t enough to fend off the powerful extraterrestrial enemy. So, humanity resorts to a desperate measure: unleashing The Cell, a biological weapon designed to mutate organic beings into mindless, relentless killing machines.
The Cell’s Mutations
Introducing The Cell—a weapon meant to turn organisms into monstrous killing machines. What could go wrong, right? Surprisingly, the initial generation of The Cell is somewhat successful. The protagonist of Ripout is a super soldier enhanced with the first-generation Cell virus. However, it’s the later generations that become a nightmare for humanity, and it’s up to you to take them down.
Ripout Gameplay
To give you an idea of Ripout’s gameplay, imagine a blend of Doom and Dead Space. You get the freedom of Doom but with the constraints of Dead Space. You feel incredibly powerful compared to most enemies, owning any room you enter. Your sense of dominance only grows as you gather powerups and critters during missions.
However, you also face limitations similar to those in Dead Space. While you’re powerful, you’re not invincible. Ammo is scarce, light is even scarcer, and there’s no way to easily regain health through glory kills. Your stamina drains quickly, making careful management crucial.
The Atmosphere
Ripout’s atmosphere is meticulously designed to unsettle you, even if, like me, you’re not easily scared. The eerie level design, enemy behaviors, and haunting music combine to create a truly unnerving experience. It’s reminiscent of the first time I watched Alien—a feeling of something lurking just out of sight.
That being said, your character’s immense power might undercut the game’s attempt to frighten. You’re essentially the most terrifying presence in the dark, which somewhat detracts from the intended horror.
Visual and Audio Design
Aesthetically, Ripout is incredibly atmospheric. One feature I loved was the flashlight. Although it runs out quickly, it adds an extra layer of tension when it suddenly dies, especially during enemy encounters. The game is already very dark, and without the flashlight, it becomes nearly pitch black. The only light sources are scattered, randomly lit sections on the derelict ships. Random noises and seemingly dead enemies only add to the spine-chilling experience, making for some truly tense moments.