X-Out: Resurfaced Review

Nostalgia can often drown out originality, but when done right, it can feel like rediscovering lost treasure. Enter X-Out: Resurfaced, a meticulously crafted remake of Rainbow Arts’ 1990 underwater shoot ’em up classic. Developed by KRITZELKRITZEL and published by ININ, this modern revival confidently navigates the treacherous currents between faithful homage and meaningful innovation. Fans of the original will recognize familiar waters, while new players get to experience a lovingly restored classic without having to dust off their old Amiga systems.

When X-Out first appeared on the scene, it defied genre expectations by swapping the overdone space backdrop for a refreshing dive beneath the waves. It quickly garnered a dedicated following thanks to its challenging gameplay, stunning sprite work, and a thumping soundtrack from the legendary composer Chris Huelsbeck. Fast forward to 2025, and this updated rendition proves that the game’s unique aquatic charm hasn’t rusted with age, offering players both a nostalgic reunion and a wholly reinvigorated experience.

KRITZELKRITZEL and publisher ININ have collaborated to ensure that X-Out: Resurfaced isn’t just a faithful remake but also a noteworthy improvement in nearly every conceivable way. The visual overhaul introduces impressive modern sprite work complemented by atmospheric particle and lighting effects, while maintaining the vibrant aesthetic of the original game. Likewise, Huelsbeck returns to breathe new life into his iconic score, delivering not only remastered classics but also entirely fresh compositions to accompany players into battle.

But X-Out: Resurfaced isn’t merely a visual and auditory facelift; it’s a carefully modernized reintroduction that recognizes the needs of today’s players. With streamlined menus, improved loadout systems, detailed item descriptions, and the addition of intuitive co-op play, this remake ensures that both seasoned veterans and new recruits alike can confidently navigate the perilous underwater battles ahead.

Setting and Story

The setting of X-Out: Resurfaced brilliantly reimagines an often-overlooked corner of the shoot-’em-up universe—the treacherous depths beneath the ocean surface. This aquatic theatre of combat remains refreshing, even after decades, providing an alluring change from the genre’s obsession with interstellar wars and alien armadas. Diving into its waters, players find themselves submerged in vibrant and varied biomes, each one more perilous and captivating than the last.

In X-Out: Resurfaced, the player assumes the role of humanity’s last line of defense, combating an overwhelming aquatic invasion. This marine apocalypse unfolds through gorgeously re-rendered environments, taking you on a thrilling journey across eight distinct underwater regions, from hauntingly beautiful coral reefs teeming with luminescent lifeforms to eerie, abandoned submerged structures reclaimed by the depths. The immersive atmosphere, amplified by modern lighting and particle effects, underscores the urgency and stakes of your heroic mission.

Though the original X-Out wasn’t renowned for intricate storytelling, the remake adds subtle layers of environmental narrative, capturing your attention without weighing down the action. Each environment you traverse hints at humanity’s struggle against the underwater invaders, with scattered wreckages, half-buried submarines, and remnants of humanity’s fallen outposts silently narrating the tragedy beneath the waves. It’s a gentle, unobtrusive touch that adds depth (pun very much intended) to your heroic aquatic odyssey.

Adding charm to your heroic journey is a carefully reintroduced roster of iconic adversaries, from menacing mechanical monstrosities to giant sea-beasts that seem plucked straight from sailor legends. These formidable foes are not merely bullet sponges; they’re clever callbacks to the original game, remastered and revitalized, ensuring both fans and newcomers feel they’re battling creatures truly worthy of an epic aquatic showdown.

Gameplay and Mechanics

At its core, X-Out: Resurfaced sticks faithfully to the roots of classic shoot-’em-up gameplay while generously expanding and modernizing many beloved mechanics. Players take command of customized aquatic vessels, and the experience remains satisfyingly challenging, testing your skills and patience in equal measure. The “one more go” addictiveness is strong here—every loss is felt deeply, but every victory genuinely rewarding.

Central to this compelling gameplay loop is the robust ship-customization system, which returns in spectacular form. You’ll build your dream submersible by mixing and matching a diverse array of parts and weapons, giving you full control of how you tackle the marine menace. This level of personalization ensures that no two playthroughs feel identical, and I often found myself spending far too much time perfecting my aquatic war machine, blissfully ignoring the impending doom just waiting to devour me in the next stage.

The controls feel crisp and responsive, benefiting significantly from a thoughtful modernization that smooths over rough edges present in the 1990 original. Whether you’re dodging enemy projectiles, maneuvering through tight underwater caverns, or executing precise counterattacks against alien threats, movement feels intuitive and polished. The game’s pacing strikes a perfect balance—it’s fast enough to be exciting, yet slow enough to feel strategic, ensuring a constant engagement that keeps players on their toes.

Another standout feature is the newly introduced Mirror Mode, flipping the entire game and providing a mirrored perspective of each level. This clever inclusion significantly ramps up replayability, testing even the most seasoned veterans’ skills in navigating reversed challenges. Coupled with a carefully implemented difficulty curve and cleverly designed enemy encounters, X-Out: Resurfaced brilliantly revitalizes classic shoot-’em-up mechanics, making every underwater expedition feel fresh and thrilling.

Multiplayer and Replayability

While X-Out: Resurfaced is primarily a single-player-focused experience, replayability is undoubtedly one of its strongest assets. Thanks to its diverse customization mechanics, varying difficulty levels, and the inclusion of modes like Mirror Mode—where levels scroll in reverse—the game encourages repeated dives into its perilous waters. I promise you’ll be returning frequently, if only to tweak your submarine to perfection or to finally show that alien squid who’s boss.

A particularly clever addition is the Mirror Mode, which reverses scrolling directions, completely shaking up your sense of orientation. It’s a subtle, yet devilishly effective way to renew interest, challenging even the most seasoned pilots to adapt their muscle memory. For gamers who think they’ve mastered the layout of every coral reef and underwater fortress, Mirror Mode is a humble reminder that even familiarity can be weaponized against you—just when you thought you were safe.

Local co-op, another welcome revival in X-Out: Resurfaced, allows you to grab a friend and dive into action together. Coordinating your strategies, covering each other’s backs, or just collectively panicking at the sight of an enormous mechanical shark adds a delightful new dimension to the game. Sure, you might lose friendships over botched maneuvers, but those sweet cooperative victories will bring you right back together.

Finally, the refined customization and revamped shop mechanics significantly enhance replayability. Multiple ship combinations, strategic load-outs, and the satisfaction of earning resources to upgrade gear keep players returning long after the credits roll. Coupled with unlockables, easter eggs, and cheats for those of us less blessed by the gaming gods, X-Out: Resurfaced ensures you’ll keep exploring its treacherous depths—long after you’ve banished the alien menace back to wherever they crawled out from.

Graphics and Sound

At first glance, X-Out: Resurfaced captures your attention immediately, transforming a beloved but pixelated classic into a vibrant underwater spectacle. Developer Rainbow Arts and KRITZ from ININ Games have breathed new life into each frame, offering dazzlingly upgraded sprite work coupled with impressive particle and lighting effects. It’s an aquatic spectacle, like someone decided to turn a nature documentary narrated by David Attenborough into a fast-paced arcade shooter.

Visually, the detailed ship models and enemy designs blend seamlessly with the rich underwater backgrounds, making each level distinct and memorable. The neon-infused energy blasts, explosions, and splashes of water when taking down foes all look genuinely modern, yet they somehow retain the nostalgic charm of the original Amiga classic. It’s clear that the team deeply respects their source material—every pixel feels like a careful homage to the 1990 gem, albeit with enough modern polish to impress even the most discerning eye.

The audio experience matches the visuals blow-for-blow, particularly with legendary composer Chris Huelsbeck at the helm once again. Huelsbeck’s pulsating synth-driven soundtrack effortlessly captures the essence of the original while injecting a fresh adrenaline shot for today’s gamers. Each track serves as an energizing force, pushing you forward as you face wave after wave of relentless enemies—perfectly complementing the retro yet modernized gameplay.

Sound design doesn’t lag behind either; each weapon fires with satisfying precision, each enemy explodes with an appropriate crunch, and subtle environmental sounds add depth to immersion. From the reverberating echo in deep caverns to the metallic clang of your torpedoes hitting alien ships, X-Out: Resurfaced delivers a high-fidelity experience that proves this resurrection was more than worth the wait.

Final Thoughts

X-Out: Resurfaced successfully resurrects a classic shooter, dusting off decades of nostalgia and giving it a contemporary polish without losing sight of its retro heart. The updated visuals and outstanding synth soundtrack, coupled with addictive gameplay mechanics, capture both the charm of the original and the excitement modern gamers crave. It’s a reminder that some classics don’t just age well—they can be revitalized beautifully.

The game’s reworked ship-customization system and addition of co-op and Mirror Modes enhance replayability, offering veteran players fresh perspectives on a beloved title. While the difficulty might initially deter newcomers, the newly added quality-of-life improvements—like clearly marked weapon slots and item descriptions—make it a more welcoming entry point into hardcore retro shooters. It’s fair to say the game manages a careful balance, equally pleasing nostalgia-chasers and first-time players.

However, X-Out: Resurfaced isn’t without a few bumps beneath its glossy surface. Occasional spikes in difficulty and some repetitive enemy patterns might frustrate some, but these moments are fleeting compared to the overall quality. Moreover, the inclusion of assistive cheat modes adds a clever nod to old-school gaming while providing a gentle helping hand for those who need it.

Ultimately, X-Out: Resurfaced stands as a lovingly crafted homage that not only respects the past but breathes new life into it, proving once again why Rainbow Arts’ legacy still shines brightly. If you’re a fan of classic shoot-’em-ups—or just looking for a reason to dust off your arcade reflexes—this aquatic retro revival might just be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

We prepared this review with a digital copy of X-Out: Resurfaced for the PlayStation 5 version provided by PR Hound.