Prepare yourself for Outriders, a third-person action role-playing game that throws you into a bleak and unforgiving world ravaged by an apocalyptic event known as “The Anomaly.” Developed by People Can Fly and published by Square Enix, this thrilling looter-shooter blends intense gunplay with deep character customization, all while serving up a captivating narrative about humanity’s struggle for survival.
Unearthing the Story: The Anomaly and Altered Humans
Outriders plunges you into the future, where Earth is on the brink of collapse due to environmental catastrophes. Humanity sets its sights on Enoch, a distant planet believed to hold the key to their salvation. As a member of the Outrider, an elite group dispatched ahead of the main colony ship, your mission is to scout Enoch and prepare it for colonization.
However, The Anomaly strikes, twisting Enoch’s environment and imbuing humans with strange new abilities known as “powers.” The cataclysmic event unleashes violent storms, mutates flora and fauna, and grants the Outriders superhuman strength, control over elements, and other extraordinary talents.
Tragedy strikes when your initial scouting mission goes awry. You are presumed dead but awaken years later to a world ravaged by conflict. Enoch has become a battleground between factions vying for control: The Insurgent faction fights against the corrupt and oppressive forces of the Board, while others struggle to survive in the harsh wasteland.
Gameplay Mechanics: Blast Your Way Through Enoch
Outriders features satisfyingly visceral gunplay that feels both heavy and responsive. You have access to a wide arsenal of weapons, ranging from assault rifles and shotguns to sniper rifles and heavy machine guns. Each weapon can be customized with mods that alter its damage type, rate of fire, and other attributes.
What truly sets Outriders apart is its deep character customization system. Choose from four distinct classes, each with unique abilities:
Class | Ability Description |
---|---|
Technomancer | Manipulates technology to deploy turrets, drones, and shields |
Pyromancer | Wields fire-based powers for devastating area-of-effect attacks |
Trickster | Bends time and space to teleport short distances, slow enemies, and create clones |
Devastator | Manipulates earth and gravity to unleash seismic slams and protective barriers |
You can further tailor your character by selecting skill nodes on a branching tree. These nodes unlock new abilities, enhance existing ones, and provide passive bonuses that affect your gameplay style. This level of customization allows you to create a truly unique Outrider that suits your preferred approach to combat.
Loot and Progression: Gearing Up for the Grind
Outriders embraces the looter-shooter formula with gusto. Defeating enemies and completing missions rewards you with various loot, ranging from new weapons and armor to powerful mods and crafting materials. Identifying the best gear for your build becomes crucial as you progress through the game’s challenging encounters.
The game’s difficulty system scales seamlessly with your party size, offering a balanced experience whether you’re playing solo or cooperatively. Outriders also features a robust endgame with recurring expeditions and challenging boss encounters that will keep you coming back for more.
Visual Style and Sound Design: A Bleak But Beautiful World
Outriders showcases a gritty and atmospheric visual style that captures the desolation of Enoch. The game world is filled with vibrant details, from the crumbling ruins of ancient cities to the twisted and overgrown landscapes ravaged by The Anomaly. The environments are brought to life through dynamic lighting and weather effects, immersing you in the harsh reality of this post-apocalyptic world.
The sound design perfectly complements the visual aesthetics. Gunfire rings out with satisfying weight, while environmental sounds like howling winds and crackling electricity create a palpable sense of danger. The soundtrack, a mix of orchestral scores and haunting melodies, enhances the emotional impact of key story moments.
Embrace the Anomaly: Outriders Awaits
Outriders is an engaging action RPG that delivers a captivating blend of intense gunplay, deep character customization, and compelling lore. Whether you prefer to blast your way through hordes of enemies with overwhelming firepower or strategically utilize your powers to outmaneuver opponents, Outriders offers a thrilling and rewarding experience. So gather your squad, embrace the power of The Anomaly, and prepare to fight for survival in this unforgettable post-apocalyptic world!