NASA has been tasked by the President to conduct a manned mission to Mars by 2033. The dream of setting foot on another planet has persisted for centuries. In Outriders, we follow the journey of one of two massive ships dispatched from a dying Earth, arriving at its destination 83 years later: a seemingly Eden-like world. Our player character is among the first to explore this new planet. However, it quickly becomes apparent that all is not as it seems. The planet proves to be far more dangerous than initial reports indicated, and internal conflict rapidly divides the small colony into warring factions. Thirty-one years later, the conflict persists, and it is up to you to survive while uncovering the mysteries surrounding this new world.
Outriders presents a compelling blend of open-world exploration and looter-shooter mechanics. Its structure bears a strong resemblance to that of The Division. Players navigate a free-roaming environment, accepting missions from various NPCs. Main missions drive the narrative forward. Similar to The Division, safe zones serve as fast-travel points and equipment repositories. Missions yield diverse rewards and upgrades, and the game world is populated by other players, allowing for cooperative play in teams of up to three. The cover-based shooting mechanics are reminiscent of Gears of War, with an abundance of waist-high cover available for tactical maneuvering. Furthermore, the game features an in-depth story with extensive dialogue sequences, a characteristic shared with games like Fallout.
Character creation is the first step, and while it may not offer the same level of intricate detail as titles like Monster Hunter Rise, it still provides ample opportunity to craft a unique avatar. Following a brief tutorial, players enter the game and, after a pivotal event, select a character class (akin to Destiny). The game features four distinct classes: Technomancer, Pyromancer, Trickster, and Devastator. Each class possesses unique abilities that provide a tactical advantage. As a Devastator, my character functioned as a heavily armored tank. Abilities included transforming skin into stone, executing leaping ground-pounds, and generating seismic shockwaves. Conversely, the Trickster class emphasizes stealth and flanking tactics.
Outriders is notably violent and visceral, effectively conveying the brutal realities of warfare. The game demands substantial processing power for optimal performance. Testing on both Xbox One X and PS4 Pro revealed performance limitations (the game is also available on next-gen consoles, and impressions from those platforms will follow). Loading times can be lengthy, and the narrative flow is occasionally disrupted by loading screens, which detracts from the overall immersion. The transitions between cutscenes and gameplay sequences are not always seamless, a drawback considering the engaging and well-developed story. This contrasts with titles such as Uncharted, which masterfully handles such transitions.
In conclusion, Outriders offers a compelling and expansive gaming experience with an intriguing narrative. However, several shortcomings prevent it from achieving “must-have” status, relegating it to a “warm recommendation.” These include performance issues such as lag and extended loading times, as well as frequent overwhelming enemy encounters that can lead to a sense of disorientation. This results in a less refined experience compared to titles like Division 2.
