Outriders, the new co-op loot shooter from developers People Can Fly and publisher Square Enix, is coming out this year, in just a few months at the time of writing.
A third-person shooter with a heavy focus on RPG elements, it sounds like Destiny - but it might surprise you. Here's why!
Latest News
Outriders Pre-Load Info - March 26
Here's everything you need to know about the game in the run-up to launch.
New Outriders 101 Trailer – March 18
Wondering what Outriders is all about? Square Enix has you covered.
New Animated Trailer – March 10
What Is Outriders?
Coming from the team that bought you Gears of War: Judgement and Bulletstorm, Outriders is a third-person shooter which adds classes, social hubs, dialogue trees and more.
Yep, that does sound a fair bit like Destiny, but Outriders differs in that it is influenced by Polish folklore. Telling the story of a space expedition gone awry, the game has a set storyline - so there's no emphasis on grinding.
Once the campaign is over, it's over (but you can replay missions), meaning it's actually quite refreshing in the day and age of every game fighting for our attention all the time.
One of the more encouraging ways the game sets itself apart from something like Destiny is that all of its lore is accessible from in-game menus at all times. In fact, it sounds similar to something like Mass Effect's Codex entries.
Release Date
The game has been delayed to April 1.
Confirmed Platforms
Not only will the game be coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, but Outriders is confirmed to be a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X title, too.
It's also coming to Google Stadia.
On PC, it'll support Nvidia's DLSS, too.
click to enlargeAre we sure this isn't a Destiny update or something? (Source: Square Enix)
Price
On Xbox One, and therefore the Xbox Series X, as well as PS4 versions of Outriders can be pre-ordered for £54.99.
The PS5 version is currently being sold for £59.99, but the game will also come to Xbox Game Pass.
Demo
The game's demo will drop on February 25 and will offer a few hours of the game as part of its 22GB download.
All four character classes will be available and progress will transfer over.
“We believe it’s important that players get to experience a new IP like Outriders before release, so that you can decide for yourselves whether the game is something you wish to pre-order, purchase or play,” developer People Can Fly noted.
Trailer
Check out the latest trailer, dubbed "Mantras of Survival", below:
Gameplay Reveal
Good news, we've got a sizeable deep dive courtesy of the following video. Check it out.
Gameplay Features
Multiple outlets have been able to provide preview coverage of the game, and you can expect damage numbers popping out of enemies and loot to earn just as you would in something similar.
There's also a cover system, so you can expect Division-style firefights, but each class also has a skill tree with vastly different choices playing out as you tailor your character.
The game is also tackling difficulty a little differently, as players can move up and down "world tiers" with scaling rewards at any time. So, if it's too easy, you can ratchet things up for a tougher fight and better loot. If things get too tough, you can drop it down again.
The team is also committed to accessibility, and are adding high contrast mode, colour blind mode, subtitles and more.
After the second Outrider's Broadcast video, we now know that there will be multiple settlements to explore, as well as a customisable mobile base of sorts.
Visual customisation is done at your base, and you can move weapons and gear between your roster of characters.
We also know that the game will offer side quests with entirely new areas, and that the soundtrack is coming from Inon Zur - the man behind the soundtracks of Fallout 3 and 4, as well as New Vegas.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Outriders and Gaming News page.