Outriders is a fresh, new IP. While it’s getting compared to others in the genre constantly, it stands alone as its own game and unique idea. I for one can't wait to see where Square Enix and People Can Fly take the concept. There is a wealth of good here and you can see its promise for a long time to come.
Outriders is the latest co-op, third-person, RPG, looter-shooter from Square Enix and People Can Fly. Now, before I go any further in this review, I want to make note of something: I am not going to bring up a certain other game that my friends keep comparing this to. Yes, some mechanics and ideas are similar between the two. But you don’t compare an apple and an orange, you just eat them. To be honest, I had some major skepticism toward Outriders since my preview I wrote in February 2020. It’s been a little over a year later and now we have the finished product.
The narrative of the game is still the same. Earth as you and I know it has become uninhabitable. Those left alive pack up and begin the search for a new world and new life. After years of journeying deep into space, you arrive at Enoch. Finally, this is the day! Your worries are over! You have a new home! But after following a brief investigation into this new world, the fresh paradise becomes a hellscape in a matter of seconds. You barely survive what becomes known as the ‘Anomaly’. You barely escape while a large chunk of your team dies and, when critically injured, are thrust into cryogenic sleep for 30 years. All the while, those waiting to descend onto this ‘promised land’ are now landing. So yeah, not the most ideal arrival by any means. Once awoken, though, Enoch is in shambles and you are left to pick up the pieces.
Once freed from cryo, players can go out into the world and choose their class, truly beginning this new journey. While I previously chose the Pyromancer class in my preview, I pulled the old switcheroo and went Trickster. Each class can equip up to three main special abilities varying from close to long-range attacks and support skills. Other classes include the Technomancer and Devasator. Trickster felt closer to my preferred style over the Pryomancer. It was a lot more of a mid-range class that at times felt stronger. It might not have been overpowered but damn it was fun. Being able to jump behind enemies and get the drop on them, then slow down time for them and just obliterate everything in your path is a boatload of fun. Regular gun combat is solid but a struggle at times. While I’ve had a lot of experience from the preview, demo, and now the full game, I still found myself thumbing through sequences in combat to get to cover. Targeting enemies at times was a bit frustrating as you get berated by bullets and flame tornadoes. Overlooking those minor issues though, it’s such a joy and honestly addicting to take on, especially with friends. As you move through Outriders and become familiar with the leveling, you’re going to need help. I mostly did solo play and while at first, it was doable, you’ll really need some backup from at least one other person. That or you may have to dial the World Tier down to a lower level to keep your sanity.
The class systems and evolving equipment and skills are a great feature and well thought out. You’re able to advance through a skill tree and develop your personal style of play with your character. Also, being able to swap out your special abilities too so you’re not just pinned to three specific attacks or defenses is a smart move that allows flexibility. I enjoyed my Tricksters’ ability to teleport behind an enemy’s back, but once I found myself in more wide-open areas for combat, I found I needed to swap out for a long-range attack. There is an openness to the game. While you may choose a class that initially serves as a close, medium, or long-range build, there is vast flexibility in how you can cater those classes to a preferred playstyle.
The visuals of this world are stunning. The detail in Outriders is phenomenal and well crafted, keeping your eyes attached to the action on screen at all times. Early on in the game, you’re thrust into a trench warfare battle. A map of disgusting brown mud, with broken-down buildings and barbed wire sprawled across the field. Your goal is to move out of the area and survive. I just remember the vividness of the world, the puddles of water, and the world degradation. It all has lived rent-free in my head for a few days now. There is a weird camera shake that happens in the cutscenes that throws me for a loop. While mostly distracting to viewers, I remember acknowledging it and then not being able to notice it. Load times for worlds were also really quick, but not fully instantaneous; nothing too horribly long or unbearable.
For a game that is getting compared to Destiny by others, Outriders is damn good. The story can seem a bit overused and overdone. However, the ideas are there to make it a fresh new take and enjoyable for those playing. Combat is super attractive and enthralling when you’re able to get the hang of it. Once you start though, get some friends to tag along on the journey. The world as you know it will only get harder as you move up. Harder levels and World Tiers mean better loot, but also getting possibly curb-stomped if you fly solo, chief. The traits and class growth are a big plus. Allowing you to grow and evolve your playstyle and class. Enoch and its atmosphere is a creepy, crawly, gross-feeling place, but it keeps you coming back to battle forward with new loot and a renewed sense of accomplishment.
Outriders is a fresh, new IP. While it’s getting compared to others in the genre constantly, it stands alone as its own game and unique idea. I for one can’t wait to see where Square Enix and People Can Fly take the concept. There is a wealth of good here and you can see its promise for a long time to come.
