Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: March 26th, 2019
Genre: Survival RPG
Price: $39.99 USD
Player(s): 1-2 (Online and local split-screen)
Format: Digital/Physical
Developer: Nine Dot Studio
Publisher: Deep Silver
Size:
PC - 15 GB
Xbox One - 10.09 GB
PS4 - 12 GB
What is Outward?
Outward is a game all about exploration as a regular, not a chosen one or destined hero, person. With no mini-map or quest markers everything in the game is centered around that idea of discovery and traversal alongside survival mechanics and challenging combat.
How big is the world?
Outward features 4 distinct regions (2x2 in size) that each contain a town and a number (6-9) dungeons to explore.
How does combat work?
Outward features stamina-based combat similar to what you would find in the Souls series but with a meter, as well as a foe's health, showing the stability of whatever you are fighting. By using traps, poisons or just by attacking normally you will lower that meter and, once drained completely, stagger them and give yourself the ability to attack without opening yourself up to their attacks.
How does magic work?
When you discover where to learn magic skills you are able to sacrifice your total stamina and health to increase your mana. Magic in combat is focused around runes so a fire spell might be a little flicker when used on its own, but from within a rune you set on the floor it could be an explosive fireball.
The backpack seem important?
Yes. Inventory space is at a premium in Outward and the best way to increase that is to get yourself a backpack. Depending on the size of your backpack you could be slowed in combat (though you can place it on the ground to regain full mobility) but you can share one pack between two players if you choose.
What if I lose my backpack?
Your backpack (and other items) will remain where you left them in a region for a couple in-game days if you leave the area.
Do enemies respawn?
Similar to how items despawn, enemies will only respawn if you leave a region for a couple in-game days.
How prevalent are the survival mechanics?
Survival in Outward is used to reinforce your place in the world as a regular person so you have three things to keep in mind: thirst, hunger, and fatigue. You can recover the first two meters from eating and drinking but fatigue is something you will restore by camping (this is where you can also craft specialty items and repair equipment) or resting in an inn or at your home.
You can own a home?
Yes. You can take ownership of a home in Outward which acts as a location to items and rest.
How does character progression work?
There are no levels in Outward and instead player progression is based on skills that you can learn from teacher NPCs. Out of the 8 skill trees you can improve you can only max out 3. Also, do to there being no character levels in the game there is no limitation on equipping top-tier weapons and armor if you stumble across them.
Early on in Outward you will be given the choice to join one of three factions (The Blue Chamber Collective, the Holy Mission of Elatt and the Heroic Kingdom of Levant). This will act as your main narrative in the game talking about 20 hours to complete and locking you out of the other 2 paths.
What happens when I die?
There is no true "death" in Outward. Once your health is depleted (and there is no active co-op partner to revive you) you will transition into a defeat senario. Perhaps a traveller saved you and returned you to town or maybe a group of bandits captured you and left you in a cell that you must escape from.
The "punishment" of death comes in the form of time. Because time has jumped forward during your defeat scenario there is a chance that a quest you are trying to complete will now be unattainable.
Can I fail out of the main questline by missing a timer?
While you can fail missions by timing out of them you are, allegedly, never going to be put into a state where the main campaign stops progressing.
How does co-op work?
Co-op is based around the idea of a host and guest. The host will be the player whose world is progressed by playing while the guest can bring in (and take out) their character and loot from another save file or auto generate a new character on the spot. This can be done either locally with split-screen or online.
You are not tethered together in co-op so each player can roam freely (within the same region) but note: difficulty is increased for enemies while in co-op.
Cross-platform play?
There is no cross-platform play in Outward aside from the game working on the PC between the Epic Store and Steam.
How long is it?
The developers estimate that running through one of the 3 main quest lines will take about 20 hours each.
21:9 Support?
Yes, but split-screen remains locked to a horizontal view.
New game plus?
While there is no "proper" NG+ option there is the option to pass an item down to, seemingly, your next playthrough. Specific details are still TBA at the moment.
Mod support?
No.
What's this about preorder bonuses?
For preordering the game or buying copies of the physical "launch" edition of Outward you will get two items. There is a "Fireworks Skill" and a "Pearlbird" pet both of which are cosmetic only and have no impact on the mechanics of the game.
Any chance of a Switch port?
Via the CEO of the studio…
Chances of a switch port are low. If the game does really well, we might try but it would be a technical struggle. Split screen on the Switch would be unlikely however.
System Requirements?
MINIMUM
OS: Windows 7 (64 Bit) / 8 (64 Bit) / 10 (64 Bit)
Processor: Intel Core i5-750 or equivalent
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GTS 450 or equivalent
Storage: 15 GB available space
RECOMMENDED
OS: Windows 7 (64 Bit) / 8 (64 Bit) / 10 (64 Bit)
Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 or equivalent
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GTX 960 or equivalent
Storage: 15 GB available space
PS4 Pro? Xbox One X
Outward features the following enhancements on both consoles…
Resolutions (XB1X: 4K, PS4 Pro: 2K)
Draw distance is increased.
Grass intensity and and LODs are improved.
Water reflections
Metacritic (PC) - 70
Destructoid 6/10
https://www.destructoid.com/review-outward-547670.phtml
Taken as a whole, Outward practically screams "cult classic." Its consistent challenge, cumbersome combat, and co-op systems won't resonate with everyone. But for a particular type of player—ones that don't mind trading dozens of frustrating moments for open-ended experiences—Nine Dot Studios' RPG is sure to find a dedicated audience. Outward's aspirations are commendable, but just like its protagonist, the end result is just average.
hookedgamers 8.5/10
https://www.hookedgamers.com/pc/outward/review/article-2043.html
Outward is a tough game to review because I know there are a ton of people that are going to pick this thing up and absolutely detest it, and, as I said, sometimes I felt that way myself. For the right kind of person, though, this game is going to scratch an itch that not many others can. Because of its relatively niche appeal, I don't see Outward breaking any sales records, but it does seem like a game destined to be revered in the right circles for quite some time.https://www.hookedgamers.com/pc/outward/review/article-2043.html
PC Gamer 89/100
https://www.pcgamer.com/outward-rev...PglFzCWYKDiHjF-z5Ev6bTcJ3K9G9I5JUZkVEcQYirt6Q
Outward's unusual design provides a different experience than I've found in most RPGs. It completely breaks the common habits of fast-traveling, gaining a fortune in loot, becoming an all-powerful god, and reloading saved games when things don't go as planned or you make a choice you regret. It makes minor setbacks feel like major obstacles to overcome and it makes small victories feel like utter triumphs. Outward is harsh and occasionally frustrating, but it does what so few games do. It requires you to put real thought into the choices you make, and it makes those choices feel like they really matter. Most of all, it makes you approach each and every encounter as if your life depended on it—even though you never die.
Official Site
Steam
Xbox Marketplace
Playstation Store
https://www.pcgamer.com/outward-rev...PglFzCWYKDiHjF-z5Ev6bTcJ3K9G9I5JUZkVEcQYirt6Q
Outward's unusual design provides a different experience than I've found in most RPGs. It completely breaks the common habits of fast-traveling, gaining a fortune in loot, becoming an all-powerful god, and reloading saved games when things don't go as planned or you make a choice you regret. It makes minor setbacks feel like major obstacles to overcome and it makes small victories feel like utter triumphs. Outward is harsh and occasionally frustrating, but it does what so few games do. It requires you to put real thought into the choices you make, and it makes those choices feel like they really matter. Most of all, it makes you approach each and every encounter as if your life depended on it—even though you never die.
Official Site
Steam
Xbox Marketplace
Playstation Store
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