Buckle up, fellow gamers, because we’re diving headfirst into the gritty, action-packed world of Outriders, a cooperative third-person shooter that blends looter-shooter mechanics with a captivating sci-fi narrative. Developed by People Can Fly (the studio behind Bulletstorm and Gears of War: Judgment) and published by Square Enix, Outriders stormed onto the scene in April 2021, promising a unique blend of intense combat, deep character customization, and loot that would make even the most seasoned Diablo veteran drool.
A World on the Brink: The Story of Enoch
The narrative of Outriders throws you into a dystopian future where Earth has been ravaged by environmental catastrophe. Humanity’s last hope lies in Enoch, a distant planet teeming with both promise and peril. You play as an “Outrider,” a hardened explorer tasked with scouting and establishing settlements on this potentially habitable world. However, your arrival on Enoch triggers a cataclysmic event known as “The Anomaly,” a force that reshapes the landscape, grants superhuman abilities to some inhabitants, and unleashes hordes of terrifying creatures.
Your journey as an Outrider will take you through diverse environments, from lush jungles and barren deserts to desolate cities ravaged by The Anomaly. You’ll encounter various factions, each vying for control of Enoch’s dwindling resources. Ultimately, your choices will determine the fate of this fragile world and the survival of its inhabitants.
Choose Your Path: Four Unique Classes with Explosive Abilities
One of the highlights of Outriders is its diverse roster of playable classes, each possessing unique abilities and playstyles. Choose from four distinct archetypes, each meticulously crafted to cater to various combat preferences:
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Trickster: Embrace time manipulation! The Trickster excels at close-quarters combat, utilizing temporal anomalies to slow down enemies, teleport behind them for devastating attacks, or even create clones to distract foes.
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Pyromancer: Ignite the battlefield with fiery fury! This class wields the power of fire and flame, unleashing scorching blasts, explosive projectiles, and inferno-like AoE attacks to incinerate hordes of enemies.
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Devastator: Become an unstoppable force of nature! The Devastator is a master of earth manipulation, utilizing seismic slams, shockwaves, and impenetrable shields to control the battlefield and withstand even the fiercest assaults.
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Techromancer: Manipulate technology for devastating effect! This class harnesses the power of Enoch’s Anomaly to unleash energy blasts, create protective barriers, and exploit enemy weaknesses with pinpoint accuracy.
Each class boasts a robust skill tree with numerous passive abilities and active skills that can be customized to suit your playstyle. Whether you prefer a relentless offensive approach, a strategic support role, or a tanky frontline presence, Outriders offers ample opportunities to tailor your character to perfection.
Loot ‘Em Up: The Thrilling Grind for Epic Gear
Outriders wouldn’t be a proper looter-shooter without an addictive loot system. As you progress through the campaign and tackle challenging encounters, you’ll discover a plethora of weapons, armor pieces, mods, and other valuable gear. Each item possesses unique stats and attributes that can drastically enhance your character’s abilities, allowing for endless experimentation and customization.
The game features a tiered loot system, ranging from common drops to legendary items with powerful affixes and rare effects. The thrill of finding that elusive perfect weapon or armor piece that perfectly complements your build is undeniable – it’s what keeps players coming back for more.
Cooperative Mayhem: Team Up and Conquer Enoch
While Outriders can be enjoyed solo, the game truly shines when experienced with friends. The cooperative gameplay allows up to three players to team up and face the challenges of Enoch together. Combining different class abilities and strategies creates a dynamic and synergistic experience where communication and coordination are key to success.
Whether you’re tackling story missions, exploring challenging side quests, or taking on endgame content, teaming up with friends adds a whole new level of depth and enjoyment to Outriders.
A Polished Experience: Technical Prowess
From a technical standpoint, Outriders is a well-crafted experience. The game features impressive graphics and immersive environments, showcasing the desolate beauty and unforgiving nature of Enoch.
The combat system is fluid and responsive, allowing for seamless transitions between ranged and melee attacks while utilizing class abilities. The sound design is equally commendable, with impactful weapon sounds, chilling creature growls, and an evocative soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere.
Outriders also boasts a robust online infrastructure that allows for smooth co-op play, even with friends across different platforms thanks to cross-play functionality. This makes it easier than ever to team up with fellow Outriders and conquer Enoch together.
A Worthy Contender in the Looter-Shooter Genre
With its compelling narrative, diverse character classes, addictive loot system, and satisfying cooperative gameplay, Outriders stands as a worthy contender in the crowded looter-shooter genre. Its blend of sci-fi action and RPG elements creates an engaging experience that will keep players coming back for more. If you’re seeking a thrilling third-person shooter with deep customization options, a world ripe for exploration, and endless loot to chase, then Outriders is definitely worth checking out!