Outriders! A Third-Person Looter Shooter Brimming With Sci-Fi Mayhem and Explosive Action

The gaming landscape is rife with looter shooters vying for your attention, promising endless loot and exhilarating combat. But amidst this crowded genre, Outriders emerges as a thrilling contender, wielding sci-fi world-building and satisfying gunplay to carve its own path. Developed by People Can Fly, the studio known for the adrenaline-pumping Gears of War Judgement and Bulletstorm, Outriders is a testament to their expertise in crafting intense action experiences.

Released in April 2021, Outriders transported players to the enigmatic planet Enoch, a world ravaged by an apocalyptic storm known as the Anomaly. This cataclysmic event unleashed devastating energies that warped the landscape and endowed some survivors with extraordinary abilities. As an Outrider – an elite vanguard tasked with exploring and securing Enoch for humanity’s future – you find yourself thrust into the heart of this dangerous and volatile world.

The game’s narrative unfolds through a compelling blend of in-game cinematics, environmental storytelling, and character interactions. Your journey takes you across diverse biomes, from sprawling desert wastelands to overgrown jungles teeming with mutated creatures, each offering unique challenges and breathtaking visuals. The Anomaly’s influence manifests in intriguing ways, warping the very fabric of reality and spawning bizarre enemies with otherworldly powers.

A Diverse Roster of Classes for Explosive Gameplay

Outriders boasts a compelling class system that allows players to tailor their playstyle to their preferences.

Each class boasts unique skills and abilities that fundamentally alter your approach to combat. The Trickster’s temporal manipulation allows for strategic ambushes and flanking maneuvers, while the Pyromancer unleashes fiery torrents that decimate groups of enemies. The Devastator stands as an immovable object, weathering enemy attacks while delivering devastating blows, and the Techomancer controls the battlefield with a blend of technological prowess and tactical ingenuity.

Looting and Crafting: Fueling Your Ascent

Outriders embraces the core tenets of the looter shooter genre, rewarding players with a constant stream of new weapons and gear. As you defeat enemies and complete missions, you’ll amass an arsenal of rifles, shotguns, pistols, and exotic weaponry, each boasting unique stats and modifiers that can dramatically impact your performance.

The game features a robust crafting system, allowing you to dismantle unwanted equipment and use the extracted materials to upgrade and refine your existing gear. This opens up avenues for customization and optimization, ensuring that your chosen build reflects your individual playstyle.

A World of Challenges: From Story Missions to Expeditions

Outriders offers a variety of content designed to test your skills and keep you engaged. The main story campaign unfolds across 40+ hours of intense action and narrative exploration.

Beyond the primary narrative, the game features “Expeditions” – challenging endgame missions that reward powerful loot and provide a further test of your mastery over your chosen class. These expeditions require strategic planning and coordination, particularly when tackled in multiplayer mode with friends.

The world of Enoch is teeming with side quests and activities that add depth to the gameplay experience. From scavenging abandoned settlements for resources to hunting down formidable bounties, there’s always something to discover and overcome.

A Visually Stunning Experience: The Power of Unreal Engine 4

Developed using Unreal Engine 4, Outriders boasts impressive visuals that bring the desolate beauty of Enoch to life. Character models are detailed and expressive, while environments showcase a stunning array of color palettes and dynamic weather effects. The game’s lighting system plays a crucial role in enhancing immersion, casting dramatic shadows and illuminating the vibrant hues of the Anomaly’s influence.

Multiplayer Mayhem: Teaming Up for Success

Outriders shines brightly as a cooperative experience, allowing up to three players to team up and tackle Enoch’s challenges together. The synergy between different classes becomes vital, with each player contributing their unique skills and abilities to overcome formidable enemies and intricate encounters. Communication is key, as coordinating attacks and utilizing class synergies can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Final Verdict: A Worthy Contender in the Looter Shooter Arena

Outriders delivers a captivating blend of sci-fi action, immersive world-building, and satisfying loot progression. While its initial launch encountered some technical hiccups, post-release patches and updates have addressed these concerns, polishing the game into a smooth and enjoyable experience.

For fans of looter shooters seeking a fresh and engaging adventure, Outriders is undoubtedly worth checking out. Its diverse classes, rewarding gameplay loop, and stunning visuals offer hours of explosive fun. So gather your squad, prepare for intense battles, and embark on an unforgettable journey through the ravaged landscapes of Enoch.