Distance is a 2018 racing game by Refract Studios for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation consoles. Following a crowdfunding campaign and an early access launch in 2014, it was released in September 2018 and is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in July 2024.
| Distance | |
|---|---|
 Steam coverart | |
| Developer(s) | Refract Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Refract Studios |
| Director(s) | Jordan Hemenway |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2024) |
Distance is a racing game where the player controls a vehicle with the ability to fly.[1] Courses feature obstacles like gaps or saws.
Development and release
editDistance was developed by Refract Studios, founded by former DigiPen Institute of Technology students in Seattle.[2] The game is as a spiritual successor to Nitronic Rush, a student project developed at DigiPen and released in 2011, which intellectual property is owned by DigiPen.[3] In October 2012, Refract launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign seeking $125,000 for Distance.[4] It features the addition of a multiplayer mode compared to Nitronic Rush.[3]
The game was released into early access via Steam on December 9, 2014. A PlayStation 4 version was announced on December 2, 2014 and showcased at PlayStation Experience 2015 with PlayStation VR on December 4, 2015.[5][6] Distance was fully released for Windows on September 18, 2018.[7] PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 versions are scheduled for July 19, 2024.[8]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 74/100[9] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Gamekult | 7/10[10] |
| CD-Action | 5/10[11] |
The PC version of Distance received "mixed or average" reviews according to review aggregation website Metacritic.[12] Reviewing the early access version in September 2017, Ali Jones of PCGamesN found the multiplayer to be the best part due to the availability of thousands of courses.[13] Upon release in September 2018, Gamekult noted the delayed development and found it to be an exhilarating racing game.[10]
References
edit- ^ Webster, Andrew (December 26, 2012). "Designing race cars of the future in 'Distance'". The Verge. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ Zacny, Rob (April 24, 2014). "Distance: Oh hell yes". PCGamesN. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Mejia, Ozzie (October 22, 2012). "Distance: Making a spiritual successor to Nitronic Rush". Shacknews. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (October 19, 2012). "Creators of superb free racing game Nitronic Rush take to Kickstarter for follow-up". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ Barker, Sammy (December 2, 2014). "Distance Is the Eyeball Melting PS4 Racer You've Been Asking For". Push Square. Gamer Network. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "Distance announced for PlayStation VR". Gematsu. December 4, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ Linken, André (August 9, 2018). "Distance: Indie-Racer verlässt nach vier Jahren die Early-Access-Phase". PC Games (in German). Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ "Distance for PS5, PS4 launches July 9 [Update: Delayed to July 19]". Gematsu. July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ "Distance critic reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Test: Distance, le petit frère démoniaque de Trackmania". Gamekult (in French). September 21, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "Distance". CD-Action. December 2018. p. 70.
- ^ "Distance". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Ali (September 15, 2017). "Distance brings Rocket League-style acrobatics to the race track". PCGamesN. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
Further reading
edit- McGee, Maxwell (December 9, 2014). "Distance may be the first horror racing game you ever play". GamesRadar+.
