Outward! A Survival RPG That Will Punish You (In the Best Way Possible)

Have you ever wanted to experience a world where even stepping outside your front door feels like a dangerous gamble? Where a simple foraging trip can turn into a life-or-death struggle against ravenous wolves and unforgiving weather? Welcome to Outward, an unconventional open-world RPG that throws traditional genre tropes out the window and replaces them with punishing realism and exhilarating freedom. Forget about meticulously crafted storylines and hand-holding tutorials; in Outward, survival is the only narrative that truly matters.

Developed by the Belgian studio Nine Dots Studio, Outward was initially released in 2019 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It quickly gained notoriety for its unforgiving difficulty and unique approach to RPG mechanics, earning praise from hardcore gamers who craved a challenge beyond the usual power fantasy. The game later received an Enhanced Edition in 2020, featuring improvements to graphics, gameplay, and content, further solidifying its position as a cult classic within the survival RPG genre.

A World Without Handholding: Embracing the Brutality

Outward’s setting is Aurai, a vibrant yet dangerous world populated by ancient ruins, formidable creatures, and warring factions. As an adventurer who wakes up from amnesia, your starting point is meager – literally just clothes on your back, some basic crafting supplies, and the ever-present threat of starvation.

The game throws you into the deep end with minimal guidance, trusting you to learn through trial and error. This means scavenging for food and water, battling enemies with rudimentary weapons, and crafting essential gear from scavenged materials. Dying is a frequent occurrence, especially in the early stages, but each demise becomes a learning opportunity. You’ll discover which enemies are best avoided, how to effectively use the environment to your advantage, and the importance of planning ahead.

One of Outward’s most innovative features is its dynamic weather system. Harsh storms can significantly impede your progress, forcing you to seek shelter or risk losing health due to hypothermia. The game encourages careful route planning and the utilization of shelters, campsites, and even abandoned buildings for refuge. It’s not simply about defeating enemies but understanding the rhythms of Aurai itself.

Crafting: Your Lifeline in a Hostile World

Unlike many RPGs where loot drops are abundant, Outward requires you to be resourceful. Crafting plays a central role in your survival, allowing you to create weapons, armor, potions, and even food from materials you gather. The crafting system is surprisingly deep, with different recipes requiring specific combinations of ingredients found throughout Aurai.

You’ll need to learn which plants are edible, identify valuable ores for smelting into weapons, and skin animals for their hides. This constant need for resourcefulness forces you to interact deeply with the world around you, turning every corner explored into a potential source of vital supplies.

The Power of Teamwork (Sometimes): Multiplayer Mayhem

While Outward can be played solo, its multiplayer component adds another layer of complexity and excitement. Teaming up with friends allows you to tackle more challenging quests, share resources, and provide mutual support during difficult battles.

However, Outward’s multiplayer experience isn’t without its quirks.

Friendship is tested in the face of hunger, thirst, and the constant threat of death. Imagine the tension when a friend accidentally stumbles into a bear trap while you frantically try to bandage your own bleeding wound!

Strengths and Weaknesses: A Balanced Perspective

Outward is not for the faint of heart. Its unforgiving difficulty, realistic survival mechanics, and lack of hand-holding can be frustrating for some players. The game demands patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

However, for those seeking a truly immersive and challenging RPG experience, Outward delivers in spades.

Here’s a breakdown of its strengths and weaknesses:

Feature	Strengths	Weaknesses
Gameplay Mechanics	Realistic survival elements, punishing but rewarding difficulty, deep crafting system	Steep learning curve, can be frustrating for casual players, occasional bugs and glitches
World Design	Immersive world with varied environments, diverse enemy types, intriguing lore	Lack of clear direction can feel overwhelming for some players

**Multiplayer | Adds a unique social dimension, encourages teamwork and collaboration | Can lead to chaotic and unpredictable experiences, prone to technical issues |

A Worthwhile Journey for the Adventurous

Outward is a game that rewards patience and perseverance. It’s not about power fantasies or epic loot drops; it’s about experiencing the grit and struggle of survival in a truly unforgiving world. If you crave a challenge that pushes you to your limits and rewards mastery over mindless grinding, then Outward might be the perfect adventure for you.

Just remember to pack extra bandages – you’re going to need them.