Outward (v06.02.2021 & ALL DLC’s)

A debt-ridden villager becomes an unlikely hero in a harsh fantasy land where preparation matters more than destiny. Outward blends open-world action RPG adventuring with survival systems that make every journey across Aurai feel dangerous, deliberate, and earned. Its world is colorful but unforgiving: freezing nights, infected wounds, starvation, dehydration, and a poorly packed backpack can be as lethal as the creatures outside the city walls. The mood is rugged and grounded, rewarding players who enjoy turning a desperate expedition into a successful return home.

Combat mixes melee weapons, bows, magic, traps, dodging, and carefully timed defensive moves, but button-mashing rarely solves a fight. Players gather supplies, cook meals, craft gear, manage weight, learn skills from trainers, and choose between distinct faction storylines that shape their place in the world. Travel has real consequences, since defeated characters can wake up robbed, captured, or carried somewhere far from their intended route rather than simply reloading after death. Local split-screen and online co-op let two adventurers share the burden, whether that means coordinating spells and traps or arguing over who forgot the tent.

What makes Outward memorable is its willingness to treat the player as an ordinary person instead of a chosen champion. Maps lack the usual glowing player marker, quests often demand observation rather than hand-holding, and distant landmarks become essential tools for navigation. The regions feel designed around practical problem-solving, from choosing the right clothes for a blizzard to setting up camp before entering a dungeon, while the slower pace gives discoveries real weight. Fans of Gothic, Morrowind, and survival-heavy RPGs find plenty to love, especially in co-op, though newcomers should expect a rough opening and a willingness to learn through setbacks rather than constant guidance.