Outriders! A Thrilling Third-Person Shooter With Loot and Mayhem

The world has gone mad. Not “my goldfish just jumped out of its bowl” mad, but full-on apocalyptic madness. This is the reality that greets players in Outriders, a visceral and engaging third-person shooter from People Can Fly (known for Gears of War Judgment and Bulletstorm) and published by Square Enix.

Set on Enoch, a distant planet once envisioned as humanity’s new home, Outriders throws you into the role of a “Chosen One” – an individual imbued with powerful abilities called the Anomaly thanks to a catastrophic storm known as the “Anomaly Storm.” The world is brutal, ravaged by mutated creatures and warring factions vying for control.

As a “Chosen One,” your mission is multi-faceted: unravel the mystery behind the Anomaly Storm, survive in this unforgiving environment, and hopefully secure a future for humanity on Enoch.

A Story of Survival and Intrigue

Outriders leans heavily into its narrative, crafting a compelling story through dialogue, environmental storytelling, and cutscenes. The world-building is impressive, painting a vivid picture of a planet struggling to maintain its grip on civilization. You’ll encounter various factions, each with their own ideologies and motivations, adding depth and complexity to the political landscape.

The campaign itself follows a linear structure, taking you through diverse environments from derelict industrial zones to lush alien forests. As you progress, you’ll uncover hidden secrets, face challenging moral dilemmas, and forge alliances (or betrayals) with intriguing characters.

While the narrative is engaging, it does occasionally stumble into cliche territory. The “chosen one” trope is a familiar one, and some character archetypes might feel predictable. However, the strong voice acting and well-written dialogue elevate the story beyond its initial tropes.

A Symphony of Mayhem: Gameplay Mechanics

Outriders shines brightest when it comes to its frenetic and satisfying gameplay. This is a third-person shooter that embraces aggression and rewards players for being bold. The core mechanics revolve around utilizing your Anomaly powers in tandem with traditional firearms.

Here’s a breakdown of what makes the gameplay tick:

| Feature | Description | |—|—| | Classes: | Choose from four distinct classes, each with unique skills and playstyles: Technomancer (manipulates technology), Pyromancer (wields fire-based powers), Devastator (a tank specializing in close-quarters combat) and Trickster (focuses on manipulating time and space). | | Skills: | Each class boasts a diverse set of skills that can be customized and upgraded as you level up. Experiment with different combinations to find a playstyle that suits your preference. | | Weapons: | A wide arsenal of weapons is at your disposal, ranging from shotguns and assault rifles to sniper rifles and heavy machine guns. Customization options allow you to mod and tweak your weapons for maximum effectiveness. | | Loot System: | Outriders features a loot system that encourages exploration and replayability. Defeating enemies and completing missions rewards you with new gear, weapons, and mods, constantly upgrading your arsenal and allowing for experimentation.

The Bullet Storm Formula: People Can Fly has clearly taken inspiration from their past success with Bulletstorm, injecting the same sense of over-the-top action into Outriders. The game encourages aggressive play by rewarding you for taking down enemies quickly and efficiently. Headshots, critical hits, and executing special attacks all contribute to building your “Class Power,” allowing you to unleash devastating abilities.

A Cooperative Experience

While the campaign can be enjoyed solo, Outriders truly shines when played cooperatively with friends. Up to three players can team up online, coordinating their attacks and utilizing their unique class skills to overcome challenges.

Communication is crucial in this game, as enemies can be relentless and overwhelming. Utilizing class synergy – for instance, a Technomancer deploying turrets while a Devastator absorbs damage upfront – is essential for success, particularly on higher difficulty levels.

Visuals and Audio: Setting the Stage

Outriders boasts impressive graphics that capture the grim beauty of Enoch. Environments are detailed and varied, ranging from industrial wastelands to vibrant alien landscapes. Character models are well-designed and expressive, bringing the diverse cast to life.

The soundtrack complements the action perfectly, amplifying the tension during intense encounters and providing a haunting ambiance during exploration. Sound effects are crisp and impactful, immersing you in the chaotic world of Outriders.

Is Outriders Worth Your Time?

Outriders is a thrilling and addictive third-person shooter that delivers on its promises of loot-driven gameplay and cooperative action. Its engaging story, diverse classes, and satisfying combat mechanics make it a must-try for fans of the genre.

While the game’s narrative may occasionally lean into familiar tropes, its strong presentation, world-building, and compelling characters elevate it beyond these initial clichés.

If you’re looking for a new cooperative shooter to sink your teeth into, Outriders is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for plenty of loot, mayhem, and a world teetering on the edge of chaos.