Fantasy games are often pretty fun. Just look at the likes of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim or Monster Hunter World. Being the chosen hero of legend or even a skilled hunter capable of wielding massive weapons is a blast. However, not everyone can actually be a hero. In fact, such individuals are exceptional within the worlds they inhabit. Their experience is nothing like that of the average adventurer just trying to make a living. This is something the minds behind Outward intend to address.
In Outward, player characters aren’t chosen heroes, they’re just normal people, and they must approach the world as the average human must. They need to plan carefully and prepare adequately in order to defeat a powerful monster; taking them on in a straight-up fight will more than likely lead to disaster. Outward players must take care of their characters too. Their hunger and thirst will need to be kept in check just like in any survival game, and that includes taking shelter against harsh conditions. Even the game’s magic system is brought down to a more human level, requiring intricate ritual and chants in order to evoke its otherworldly power.
Players won’t have to go it alone though, as they’ll have the option of adventuring with a friend via online co-op or local split-screen play. They’ll still have to be careful and strategize accordingly though; Outward will constantly auto-save, so players will have no choice but to bear-out the consequences of poor decision-making. Nothing can be taken for granted here, fantasy world or not.
Outward releases for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on March 26, 2019.
