Outriders! A Sci-Fi Looter Shooter That Will Leave You Thirsting for More

Prepare yourselves, gamers, because today we delve into the gritty, explosive world of Outriders, a third-person looter shooter developed by People Can Fly and published by Square Enix. Released in April 2021, this game captivated players with its unique blend of action-packed gameplay, compelling sci-fi narrative, and rewarding loot system. Let’s explore what makes Outriders a must-play experience for any fan of the genre.
A World Ravaged by the Anomaly
Outriders plunges you into the distant future on the planet Enoch, a seemingly habitable world teeming with promise. Humanity, facing a desperate resource crisis on Earth, embarks on a colonization mission, but their hopes are quickly shattered. An enigmatic phenomenon known as “The Anomaly” ravages Enoch, unleashing devastating storms and warping the very fabric of reality.
Forced into cryosleep to escape the initial devastation, you awaken decades later as an “Outrider,” one of the elite pioneers tasked with navigating this perilous new world. The Anomaly has granted some individuals extraordinary powers – known as “abilities” – and these newfound gifts become crucial tools for survival in Enoch’s unforgiving landscape.
Choosing Your Path: Diverse Classes for Every Playstyle
One of Outriders’ defining strengths lies in its diverse class system, allowing players to tailor their experience based on individual preferences. Four distinct classes offer a plethora of combat options:
Class | Abilities | Strengths |
---|---|---|
Technomancer | Manipulates technology and energy fields. | AoE crowd control, high damage output with gadgets |
Pyromancer | Wields the power of fire and molten lava. | Sustained damage, excellent for dealing with hordes |
Trickster | Bends time and space to execute lightning-fast attacks. | High mobility, excels at close-range combat |
Devastator | Commands earth and gravity, wielding immense strength. | Tanking, crowd control with powerful shockwaves |
Each class boasts a deep skill tree with customizable abilities, allowing for extensive experimentation and unique build configurations. Whether you prefer unleashing devastating area-of-effect attacks as the Pyromancer or manipulating time to become an unstoppable force as the Trickster, Outriders caters to a wide range of playstyles.
A Looter Shooter at Its Core: Gearing Up for Glory
At its heart, Outriders is a quintessential looter shooter. As you explore Enoch’s diverse environments, from sprawling industrial cities to verdant forests teeming with mutated creatures, you’ll encounter hordes of enemies and powerful bosses. Every defeated foe drops loot, ranging from armor pieces and weapons to mods that enhance your abilities and gear.
Outriders embraces a “Gunsmith” system, allowing for extensive customization of your weapons. You can swap out barrels, magazines, sights, and other components to fine-tune your firearms for maximum effectiveness. The loot system rewards continuous play with ever-increasing power and variety, encouraging players to experiment with different builds and chase that elusive perfect gear set.
Cooperative Mayhem: Team Up or Go It Alone
While Outriders can be enjoyed solo, its true potential shines in cooperative multiplayer mode. Joining forces with up to two other players allows you to tackle challenging missions and boss encounters with a synchronized assault of firepower and abilities. Communicating effectively with your team, coordinating attacks, and utilizing each class’s unique strengths are crucial for success in the game’s most demanding content.
Beyond the Campaign: Endgame Content and Challenges
Completing Outriders’ main campaign is just the beginning. The game offers a wealth of endgame content to keep players engaged long after the credits roll:
- Expeditions: Challenging missions with randomized modifiers, offering unique rewards and testing your mastery of your chosen class.
- Trials: Timed challenges designed to push your skills to the limit, requiring precision, teamwork, and efficient combat execution.
- Legendary Weapons and Armor: The ultimate goal for many Outriders players – acquiring powerful legendary items with game-changing stats and abilities.
A Compelling Sci-Fi Narrative: The Struggle for Survival
Outriders’ story is surprisingly deep and engaging for a looter shooter. It explores themes of survival, sacrifice, the corrupting nature of power, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. As you progress through the game, you encounter a cast of memorable characters – both allies and enemies – each with their own motivations and agendas.
The story unfolds through cutscenes, dialogue interactions, and environmental storytelling, painting a vivid picture of Enoch’s chaotic landscape and the struggles faced by its inhabitants. While the narrative doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it effectively immerses you in the game world and provides compelling context for your actions as an Outrider.
Production Values: A Visual Feast with Atmospheric Sound Design
Outriders boasts impressive production values, delivering a visually stunning experience across various platforms. The environments are diverse and detailed, from the crumbling ruins of ancient civilizations to the futuristic cityscape of humanity’s last stronghold. Character models are well-designed and expressive, while enemy types showcase unique aesthetics and attack patterns.
The sound design further elevates the gameplay experience. Explosions rumble with visceral intensity, gunfire crackles realistically, and the soundtrack dynamically shifts to match the intensity of each encounter. Outriders effectively utilizes audio cues to enhance immersion and heighten the sense of danger during intense firefights.