Ripout Review (PC): Promising Co-op Horror FPS, but Not Ready Yet

A Promising Co-Op Horror FPS That Needs More Time

Reviewed on PC. First ImpressionsScore: 2/10

Ripout is an online co-op horror FPS that drops players into the claustrophobic corridors of derelict ships, teeming with mutants who can morph their bodies into lethal weapons. It offers an eerie setting, randomized missions, and a clever twist: your Pet Gun companion that adds some personality to the standard shooter formula.

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On paper, it’s the kind of setup that should work — tight spaces, aggressive enemies, and a co-op loop built around pushing deeper, clearing objectives, and getting out in one piece. But in its current state, Ripout struggles to keep that tension alive long enough to carry the experience.

The Pet Gun: Ripout’s Unique Selling Point

Ripout’s “Pet Gun” is more than a gimmick — it’s a living weapon that can detach and attack enemies on its own. It’s easily the highlight of the game, offering a few creative combat moments that you won’t find elsewhere. When it works, it adds some identity to an otherwise familiar co-op shooter loop.

Gameplay Video

It also helps break up the rhythm of standard corridor shooting. Having a companion tool that can assist in fights gives the game a hook — something you can actually point to as “this is Ripout.” The problem is that one strong idea can’t carry the rest if the surrounding systems aren’t doing enough to keep the missions interesting.

Procedural Levels, Repetitive Experience

The game boasts procedurally generated ships, promising variety. In reality, the layouts and mission objectives blur together, making each run feel like the last. The horror atmosphere starts strong, but the tension fades fast once you realize you’re repeating the same tasks with only small variations.

Even when the route changes, the overall flow can still feel too familiar: similar rooms, similar beats, and not enough “surprises” that meaningfully change how you play. In a co-op horror shooter, variety is the fuel — different scenarios, different pressures, different reasons to adapt — and right now Ripout doesn’t deliver enough of that to justify long sessions.

Ripout

Release Date: October 25, 2023

Genre: Co-Op, Horror, FPS, Early Access

Developer: Pet Project Games

Publisher: 3D Realms

Platforms: PC — Steam

Solo vs. Co-Op: Best with Friends

If you’re playing solo, Ripout feels especially repetitive and the lack of mission diversity becomes glaring. Co-op does make the game more tolerable — it’s simply more fun to improvise and survive with friends — but even teamwork can’t fully cover for the thin objectives and limited variety.

With a squad, you can at least create your own moments: splitting angles, calling targets, clutching a bad situation, and laughing your way through the chaos. Solo play doesn’t have that buffer, so the pacing issues hit harder, the repetition shows faster, and the rough edges become the main thing you notice.

Early Access Concerns and Pricing

Ripout is still in Early Access, and it shows. Content feels light, the loop wears out quickly, and the overall value doesn’t match the asking price right now. There’s a foundation here — atmosphere, a decent visual style, and the Pet Gun concept — but it needs major updates to feel like a complete package.

What it needs most is more meaningful variety: mission types that actually change the tempo, more distinct ship “feels,” and reasons to keep pushing beyond the first few hours. Right now, it’s difficult to recommend at full price unless you’re extremely patient with Early Access and specifically want to track a game’s development over time.

Final Verdict: Wait and See

I refunded Ripout after a few hours. The foundation is there — good atmosphere, a fun weapon concept, and strong visual design — but it desperately needs more content and real mission variety to justify its price. If the developers deliver meaningful updates, I’d be open to trying it again. For now, it’s a wait-and-see title rather than an essential purchase.

The 2/10 score isn’t because the idea is terrible — it’s because the current experience doesn’t hold together as something I’d recommend people spend money on today. If Ripout grows into its concept with bigger updates, I’d happily revisit it. Until then, wishlist it, watch patch notes, and wait for a much stronger version of the game.