Prepare yourself, fellow gamers, because we are diving headfirst into the gritty, unforgiving world of Outriders, a third-person shooter looter that doesn’t shy away from intense action and rewarding gameplay loops. Developed by People Can Fly, the studio behind Gears of War: Judgment and Bulletstorm, Outriders delivers a punchy experience brimming with satisfying gunplay, unique character classes, and a loot system designed to keep you hooked for hours on end.
The Story of Survival in a Harsh New World
Outriders throws you into the shoes of an “Outrider,” a highly trained soldier deployed to Enoch, a distant planet deemed humanity’s last hope after Earth becomes ravaged by environmental disasters. However, Enoch isn’t the idyllic paradise everyone envisioned. A mysterious anomaly called “The Anomaly” has transformed the planet’s flora and fauna into hostile, mutated creatures while bestowing extraordinary powers upon select individuals.
Your mission as an Outrider is to investigate The Anomaly, understand its nature, and establish a foothold for humanity on this volatile new world. But survival isn’t guaranteed in Enoch. You’ll face relentless waves of enemies, from corrupted wildlife to heavily armed factions vying for control, all while grappling with the unpredictable effects of The Anomaly that can alter your abilities and the environment itself.
Embrace the Power of the Altered: Class Customization and Abilities
Outriders shines in its class-based system, offering four distinct archetypes each wielding unique powers derived from The Anomaly:
- The Technomancer: A master manipulator of technology who can summon turrets, freeze enemies with cryo blasts, and unleash devastating electrical attacks.
- The Pyromancer: A fiery warrior who commands flames, incinerating foes with blazing weapons and creating protective shields of fire.
- The Devastator: A tank-like powerhouse specializing in close-quarters combat, capable of smashing enemies into oblivion with earth-shattering blows.
- The Trickster: A cunning manipulator of time and space, able to teleport through the battlefield, slow down time for tactical advantage, and unleash deadly bullet storms.
Each class offers a wealth of customization options, allowing you to tailor your playstyle and experiment with different builds. You can further augment your abilities by equipping various mods found on weapons and armor, creating unique combinations that cater to your preferred approach – be it a close-range brawler, a long-range sniper, or a versatile hybrid.
A Constant Craving for Loot: The Rewarding Cycle of Progression
Outriders embraces the looter shooter genre wholeheartedly with its diverse arsenal of weapons and gear. From blistering automatic rifles to thunderous shotguns and piercing sniper rifles, you’ll discover a plethora of firearms each with unique stats and mod slots. Armor pieces offer crucial defensive bonuses while providing additional mod slots for further customization.
The loot system in Outriders is designed to keep you engaged. Every enemy encounter has the potential to drop rare and powerful gear, encouraging you to constantly explore, fight, and experiment. As you progress through the campaign and tackle challenging endgame content like Expeditions (timed missions with escalating difficulty), you’ll find yourself amassing a collection of coveted weaponry and armor pieces – each upgrade pushing you closer to becoming the ultimate Outrider.
Multiplayer Mayhem: Join Forces or Compete Against Friends
While Outriders can be enjoyed solo, it truly shines in its cooperative multiplayer mode. Team up with friends or other players online to tackle challenging missions, share the loot spoils, and strategize using your combined class abilities for maximum impact. The game supports up-to three-player co-op, allowing you to coordinate assaults, revive fallen comrades, and experience the thrill of overcoming formidable adversaries together.
For those seeking a competitive edge, Outriders also features PvP (Player vs Player) arenas where you can test your skills against other players in intense firefights.
Production Values: A Polished Experience with Room for Improvement
Outriders delivers a polished gameplay experience with visually impressive environments and satisfyingly crunchy gunplay. The character models are detailed, the animations fluid, and the sound design immersive. However, some aspects of the game’s presentation could be improved upon.
While the cutscenes effectively convey the story and characters, the overall visual fidelity falls slightly short compared to AAA titles in the genre. Additionally, technical hiccups like occasional stuttering or texture pop-in can detract from the immersion.
A Worthy Addition to Your Gaming Library?
Outriders is a thrilling action-packed looter shooter that offers a compelling story, deep class customization, and a rewarding loot system designed to keep you coming back for more. While its graphical presentation may not be groundbreaking, the core gameplay loop remains incredibly engaging, making Outriders a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
Here’s what makes Outriders stand out:
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Intense Action | Fast-paced gunplay with satisfying feedback and visceral enemy takedowns. |
Unique Classes | Four distinct archetypes each offering diverse playstyles and abilities derived from The Anomaly. |
Deep Customization | Extensive mod system for weapons and armor, allowing for personalized builds and experimentation. |
Rewarding Loot System | Constant stream of new gear drops, encouraging exploration and replayability. |
Cooperative Multiplayer | Up-to three-player co-op mode allows for strategic team play and loot sharing. |
Final Verdict: Outriders is a solid action RPG looter shooter that will appeal to fans seeking a challenging and rewarding experience with friends or solo. While its visuals may not be the most cutting-edge, the tight gameplay, deep customization options, and constant stream of new loot make it a worthy addition to any gamer’s library.