Outcast: Second Contact (PS4) Review | SquareXO

Rob Pitt writes: I could write over 1,000 words regarding the original Outcast and how it came to be (which I did before editing it out) but I think I’ll save that, possibly for another day, as it’s quite interesting and goes into detail on how a small unknown game became a cult classic. The main thing you need to know is that Outcast was the first 3D open world game, the game that started the genre. Within the last 18 years, sequels have been planned and cancelled, the company has gone bankrupt and then bought the IP back, and the game was re-released in 2010 and had a failed Kickstarter a few years ago for a remake.

[ocelot07]

Never heard of this. Looks pretty good.

[New-Breed]

I wonder how it'll fare for someone like myself who never played the original.

[Lon3wolf]

It is the original:

Now, in 2017, an official remaster has been released by the original developer on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

[New-Breed]

That's not what I meant. What I was saying is, I was curious if I'd enjoy this game as much without the nostalgia factor. I have been interested in playing Outcast: Second Contact since I first heard of the remaster.

[rob-GP]

That's what I'm wondering too (I'm the writer of the review). I played it day one back when it came out, I didn't like it at first but I got really into it after a few hours. Then I re-visited it in 2010 with the 1.1 version on GoG and then again with the 2017 version.

It's different to modern Open world games in that there is no GPS, no waypoints, no hand holding and pretty much completely open world - as it was the first out there. You can literally finish the game with a percentage about 50-60% in the quest area as it's up to you to seek out and find the (45) quest givers throughout the world. Once you've met them though, they appear on your floating map so you can keep track of them.

Also, this is quite surreal, the lead Devs contacted me on Skype after reading my review - we have pin-pointed the breaking bugs I found and they have looked through the code and all will be fixed in an update shortly. So hopefully, nobody will have to go back to an older save like I had to due to being inpatient on my side haha!

The only thing that may put you off the game a little is the controls - it isn't a modern game, its a 1999 game with tweaks. So it's fine and I love it, as it matches the original, but it isn't 2017 style. You jump like a human with a jetpack on his back, so no super jumps. You also can't climb everything - if you are at the side of a hill, you most likely have to use the steps which are there as you can't climb up the hill. This is something that today, would be possible but with invisible walls everywhere - this game has no invisible walls.

If you do get it though - let us know what you think of it - also, give it a few hours to allow you to adapt to the controls.

[New-Breed]

Very interesting. I don't mind the outdated mechanics or presentation really. I imagine that won't bother me much. Over the past couple years, I have gone back and invested 40+ in both the first Witcher and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2. It's easy to overlook the lacking modern bells and whistles when you're presented with a great game, which Outcast sounds like by your account.

As for the devs reaching out to you, that must be really awesome to have had a direct impact on a game you love.

[rob-GP]

@New-breed (some reason it wont let me reply directly to you) - yeah, it's quite surreal. They got in touch a few hours after my review went up and I've had a few chats with them now. Found out a few interesting things about the Pro support and resolutions etc, but I'm not sure if I can say anyhting about those on here without their permission.

They are actively working on the patch though which should resolve pretty much everythgin I found in my play throughs - which will be awesoms - plus Eurogamer gave it a recommended as well, so that should increase the hype around it. and yeah, a lot of people, including certain reviewers, took the game and judged it based on games like the witcher 3 or GTA5, which were build for modern systems. They ignored the fact it's a 1999 game using the same code but adapted for Unity.

Ah well, it seems to be doing pretty well and i'm sure all the fans will grab this immediately!

[Lon3wolf]

I see I was wondering if you that too but posted anyways :)

[Yohshida]

Looks great, gonna give it a try