Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 75 | 44 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 76% | 71 | 353 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 80% | 74 | 663 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (May 23, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 663 total reviews in window · weighted 142.8 up / 36.1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (30)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 75
“Heading Out seems like a great start to a game or a series that could continue to expand and get better. It lays the groundwork for some impressive ideas and concepts that racing games don’t usually tackle and offers you a chance to reflect on your own life in a surprising way.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Heading Out is a memorable journey that uses the freedom of driving to help discover your morality and nature.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Heading Out is one of those games that will either grip you from the outset or show all of its hand in the first hour, never to be looked at again. If invested in the character and the story, a really interesting tale will be laid out with lots of opportunity to review and revise the outcomes. If it’s a fully realised driving experience that is being wished for however, this may get left on the side of the road.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I hadn’t heard anything about Heading Out before it landed in my lap for review, and I am so grateful it did. I absolutely loved the gritty, 70’s feel of the racing and multiple vehicles. And I already gushed over the awesome soundtrack and radio personalities, as a fan of the talk radio in the recent GTA games this felt right up there as far as production value, content, and laughs. Mix all those things together and you end up with one mesmerizing road trip, that fans of the genre will be glad they took.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“With its endless possibilities of different runs and expansive lore, Heading Out is worthy of your try. The game might be just hard to grasp right out of the gate, but since it gives the player a lot of chances to redeem themselves, getting used to Heading Out takes a bit of time and that is completely fine. While it might not fulfill your needs for an action-packed roguelike game, the narrative aspects of it will surely deliver some quality time. Definitely worthy of a checkout if you are a fan of both roguelikes and driving games.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The blend of incredible atmosphere, importance of audio, stylish visuals and simple gameplay come together here in a game that feels luxurious to dive into. The stark graphical style and comic-book nods add to that sense of a pulpy narrative, and the pull of raw America and its myriad citizens bring the states to life in a way that kept me coming back for more. Serious Sim have definitely nailed a vibe here, and it’s a vibe I’d very much like to see continued in future games, lovely stuff.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A nice comic trip across the USA. It has a good idea, atmosphere, processing, and even the basis of the gameplay is not bad, it's just a shame that the gameplay is gradually the same and there are not enough new options to keep the game interesting”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Heading Out is a solid concept that I would love to see perfected and improved upon should we see a follow-up, because frankly, it’s a sharp-looking game that really stands out in a sea of games that all look the same.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A beautifully designed title with an engaging narrative, Heading Out is definitely a journey worth experiencing.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite these shortcomings, Heading Out excels as a masterfully crafted blend of storytelling and game design. Its seamless fusion of retro aesthetics, heart-pounding gameplay, and thought-provoking narrative earns it an 8/10 rating. The game's commitment to immersion, player agency, and exploration of weighty social issues sets it apart in an industry often criticized for its lack of diversity and representation.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Heading Out has a clear sense of style and carries the whole experience. It falters a little with the driving model and some small bugs.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Heading Out gives you a roguelike driving experience where you must pace yourself and manage your money. The driving mechanics are solid and there are lots of variations to keep gameplay interesting. Once you beat the game, there’s no incentive to replay the game again. It’s a solid yet short roguelike experience that driving fans will enjoy.”
read full review ↗
Gamepressure
eXputer
Cubed3
ZTGD
GamesCreed
Games Freezer
SECTOR.sk
Analog Stick Gaming
GameGrin
NoobFeed
Xbox Tavern
Rectify Gaming…and 18 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Minor HotfixNov 7, 2025
- Patch Update + Console Release Announcement!Jun 12, 2025
- Update Notes for Patch 1.040Jun 12, 2025
- Heading Out v 1.028 Patch NotesMay 23, 2024significant · resets scoring window