Outriders: A Looter-Shooter That's More Than Just Loot

blog 2024-11-05 0Browse 0
 Outriders: A Looter-Shooter That's More Than Just Loot

Forget destiny, embrace defiance! Outriders plunges you into a ravaged future on Enoch, a hostile planet teeming with mutated creatures and power-hungry factions. Developed by People Can Fly (veterans of Gears of War and Bulletstorm), Outriders is a third-person cover shooter that delivers explosive action alongside deep character customization and a surprisingly compelling narrative.

The Aftermath: A World Teetering on the Brink

The year is 2159, and Earth’s ecosystem has collapsed. Humanity seeks refuge on Enoch, a seemingly hospitable planet discovered by the Colonisation Effort, but things quickly go awry. A strange anomaly called “the Anomaly” wreaks havoc, transforming life forms into monstrous creatures and bestowing unique abilities upon survivors who become known as the Outriders.

Players assume the role of an Outrider, awakening from cryo-sleep decades after the initial colonization effort. You join forces with other survivors, forming a ragtag team determined to uncover the truth behind Enoch’s downfall and navigate its treacherous landscapes.

The game unfolds through a series of missions and side quests, each punctuated by intense firefights against waves of mutated creatures and rival factions. The narrative weaves together themes of survival, power, and redemption, exploring the moral complexities faced by those struggling for existence in a hostile world.

A Class Act: Unlocking the Power Within

One of Outriders’ most significant strengths lies in its deep character customization system. Players can choose from four distinct classes, each wielding unique abilities and playstyles.

Class Abilities
Trickster Manipulates time and space to teleport, slow enemies, and unleash devastating close-range attacks.
Pyromancer Commands fire and brimstone, incinerating foes with fiery blasts and creating scorching zones of destruction.
Devastator A tanky powerhouse, capable of absorbing damage and unleashing powerful earthquake attacks to decimate enemy hordes.
Technomancer Masters technological prowess, summoning turrets, deploying gravity wells to trap enemies, and bolstering allies with shields and buffs.

As you progress through the game, you can unlock new skills and modify existing ones through a robust skill tree system. This allows for extensive customization, tailoring your character’s abilities to match your preferred playstyle.

Looting Like it Matters: Gear Up and Dominate

Outriders wouldn’t be complete without a satisfying loot system. As you battle through Enoch, you’ll encounter a wide array of weapons, armor pieces, and mods that significantly impact your combat effectiveness. Weapons come in different rarity tiers, with legendary items boasting powerful bonuses and unique perks.

Experimenting with different weapon combinations and gear setups is key to maximizing your damage output and survivability. The “Legendary” tier weaponry offers truly game-changing effects, sometimes rewriting the rules of engagement altogether.

Outriders also features a crafting system allowing you to dismantle unwanted loot and utilize materials to craft or upgrade desired items. This adds an extra layer of depth and control over your equipment progression.

Beyond the Bullets: A Thriving Online Community

Outriders supports cooperative play for up to three players, allowing you to team up with friends or random strangers to conquer Enoch’s challenges.

The game boasts a vibrant online community with dedicated forums and social media groups where players share tips, strategies, and showcase their impressive loot hauls. The competitive scene is also active, with players challenging each other in timed expeditions for bragging rights and exclusive rewards.

A Blast From the Past: Outriders’ Old-School Charm

While Outriders embraces modern gameplay mechanics like cover shooting and skill trees, it harkens back to classic third-person shooters of yore. The emphasis on visceral combat and loot acquisition evokes a sense of nostalgia for players familiar with titles like Diablo and Gears of War.

The game’s art direction is stylized but realistic, showcasing the grim beauty of Enoch’s ravaged landscapes and the grotesque designs of its mutated inhabitants. The soundtrack is equally impressive, blending orchestral scores with pulsating electronic music to create an immersive auditory experience.

Outriders isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it executes its core elements with exceptional polish and finesse. It offers a compelling blend of action, RPG elements, and social interaction, making it a standout title for fans of looter shooters and third-person shooters alike.

Final Verdict: A Worthy Contender in the Genre

While not without its flaws (occasional technical hiccups and repetitive mission design), Outriders delivers a thrilling and addictive gameplay experience. Its deep character customization, satisfying loot system, and engaging narrative make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Outriders proves that sometimes sticking to classic formulas can be a recipe for success. It’s a reminder that in the world of gaming, a well-executed experience trumps flashy gimmicks every time.

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