Outriders

Outriders is a third-person shooter with role-playing systems and co-op combat for up to three players. As a stranded Outrider, you explore the hostile planet Enoch, combine firearms with supernatural powers and build out one of four character classes. The campaign can also be played solo, but it requires an internet connection throughout.

Outriders was released on April 1, 2021 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, as well as on Steam. Square Enix's support overview also lists April 2 for the Windows launch in some regions. The major expansion Worldslayer followed on June 30, 2022.

Outriders has native versions for Windows PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. The Stadia streaming platform, which also supported the game at first, has been discontinued. The PlayStation and Xbox generations are offered separately, not just as identical backward-compatible versions.

Combat combines cover, precise shooting and offensive class abilities. Many powers reward getting close to the enemy and playing actively. If you match your gear, mods and talent trees, you can build different melee, support and ranged builds.

Worldslayer extends the story with the fight against the Altered Ereshkigal. It also adds extra gear, mods, PAX talent trees, ascension points and the endgame in Tarya Gratar. The Hell’s Rangers Content Pack offers extra gear and cosmetic content. Worldslayer requires either the base game or an edition that includes both components.

For Windows, Steam lists at least an Intel Core i5-3470 or AMD FX-8350, 8 GB RAM, a GTX 750 Ti or Radeon R9 270X and 100 GB of free storage. Recommended are an Intel Core i7-7700K or Ryzen 5 2600X, 16 GB RAM and a GTX 1070 or Radeon RX Vega 56. DirectX 11 and a broadband connection are required.

After the collapse of the settlement on Enoch, a group of survivors searches for a mysterious signal. On the way from the First City through forests, mountains and deserts, the Outriders get caught between hostile factions and a dangerous planetary anomaly. The story ties the combat to the question of whether humanity has a future on Enoch.

The Trickster fights mobile at close range, the Devastator relies on endurance, the Pyromancer on fire and the Technomancer on ranged combat and support. Each class has its own abilities and talent trees that suit different weapon and gear styles.

The Trickster disrupts enemies at close range and switches position quickly. Its abilities favor attacks from unexpected angles and escaping dangerous situations in time. A rhythm of movement, attack and retreat is especially important.

The Devastator can take a lot of punishment in close combat and uses earth-based powers to break through enemy lines. With suitable talents and gear, it can hold enemies in place and create space for its teammates.

The Pyromancer uses fire abilities to pressure groups of enemies. Its playstyle links marking and burning foes with further attacks. Your choice of gear determines whether abilities or firearms take center stage.

The Technomancer combines ranged attacks with technical tools and support abilities. It is especially suited to players who want to control enemies from a distance and protect their group.

Found weapons and armor pieces have properties that can be changed with mods. A good build combines class talents with equipment effects. Rare and legendary items open up extra combinations instead of just higher damage values.

The campaign can be played solo or with up to two other players. Co-op supports joining and leaving during an ongoing session, and Steam lists cross-platform multiplayer. Outriders requires an active internet connection even in single-player mode.

Difficulty scales with progress and can be adjusted for different gear and experience levels. Enemies, loot and abilities together form the core of the repeatable endgame progression. The Worldslayer expansion adds its own Apocalypse tiers to this system.

In Worldslayer, the journey goes deeper into the civilization of Enoch and to the powerful Altered Ereshkigal. Base game owners can continue with their existing character or start a new Outrider directly at level 30 with a boost.

Worldslayer adds PAX branches for hybrid playstyles to the existing class talents. Ascension points are spread across long-term progression areas such as damage, stamina and anomaly powers. Apocalypse gear opens up extra combinations with a third mod slot.

After the Worldslayer campaign, the Trials of Tarya Gratar offer a dedicated endgame area. The trials lead through the ruins of an old city and reward repeat runs with extra gear. They are aimed at Outriders who want to keep refining their character builds.

According to Steam, the PC version supports German on-screen text, German voice-over and German subtitles. Other fully voiced languages include English and French. Console versions vary by region in terms of available language packs.