Outward Reviews
Overall I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone other than the most die hard RPG fans, there are some decent flashes of ideas in there such as the magic but everything and I mean everything in the game is a grind and lacked enjoyment for me.
Outward is billed as a survival RPG and that it is. The survival elements do make it an interesting adventure to an extent but sometimes it goes overboard and frustrates. The fighting is awful, the spells are too confusing and convoluted and as mentioned it’s really hard to give a crap about your character. Massive kudos to Nine Dots for embarking on a game of this magnitude and there is some great ideas here to make it stand out from the glut of other fantasy RPGs.
Outward isn't so much bad as it is outwardly bland. Bolstered by its genuinely endearing premise, and an emphasis on a more "human" approach to the RPG genre, the title is simultaneously held back by lacklustre presentation, an underwhelming combat system, and a main game that goes on far too long to justify the onslaught of hostility thrown at the player.
Outward will appeal to people have enormous patience. But if that isn't you then it'll simply feel like a time drain. Jason Coles
At the end of the day, it’s undeniable that Outward‘s combat is sub-par, and that its systems prove to be very punishing when combined.
Outward may show a ton of promise, but it is pretty rough in its current state. Those interested should check back after a couple of patches.
A beautiful concept marred by poor fighting mechanics, lacklustre graphics and a punishing learning curve that sucks all the fun out of adventuring. Outward has the potential to earn cult status, but will turn away all but the most diehard of fans.
Outward is a cleavage game. Dated graphically, technically, austere in many aspects. But despite its many flaws, persevering role players can enjoy this search of sensations of yesteryear.
Review in French | Read full review
Outward is an open-world survival RPG that starved me of fun and left me thirsty for bug fixes and a better combat system.
Outward has a lot of potential, from the interesting death system to the complexity of the status effects, but the entire game is full of some big problems: clunky combat system, out-dated IA and rough (and superficial) gdr elements. Outward has definitely his little audience of early 2000-gdr lovers, and it's a bit charming in some ways, but in the end it's not even average.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Though filled with interesting ideas and mechanics, Outward is let down by poor combat, dated visuals, and performance issues. Hardcore RPG fans are likely the only people who will want to delve into the nitty-gritty of this title.
Learning to manage the game's many systems is the biggest potential stumbling block players will face. If you're the sort to revel in micromanagement and extreme challenge and enjoy the thrill of actually exploring and living in a place rather than wandering from objective to objective, then Outward could be something special for you from the get-go. It's a hard sell otherwise, with such overwhelming depth, occasionally misfiring combat, and rather grimy visuals. Then again, perhaps that might be the best way to deliver the purest form of Outward, a flawed, aggressive beast that requires time and patience. It would possibly lose something in being too refined. It makes adventuring into something different and intriguing, after all.
Outward may aim high but is most definitely flawed, constituting a game just above par that's most ideal for RPG enthusiasts.
Outward is simultaneously mesmerizing and full of missteps. What could have been a truly special game is damaged by how tedious and ill-advised so many of its design decisions are.
Taken as a whole, Outward practically screams "cult classic." Its consistent challenge, cumbersome combat, and co-op systems won't resonate with everyone. But for a particular type of player—ones that don't mind trading dozens of frustrating moments for open-ended experiences—Nine Dot Studios' RPG is sure to find a dedicated audience. Outward's aspirations are commendable, but just like its protagonist, the end result is just average.
A deeply flawed open world role-player but also an extremely ambitious and unique one, whose approach to co-op play and survival deserves further iteration.
Outward is an extraordinary RPG with its difficulty and deep RPG system. You can fight with another player, but the AI is not quite good and the controls are a bit clonky. It is a shame the graphics are also outdated.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Good ideas and interesting systems held back by clunky combat and the occasional bad design decision, Outward is an RPG for a very specific pallet. You will either really like it, or find it insufferably aggravating.
If you can look past what's skin-deep and come to terms with Outward's combat for what it is, you'll find the foraging, crafting, striving survival sim you're looking for.
Outward is a fun, challenging, if empty and slightly misguided, open-world roleplaying game where death is not only common, but guaranteed (do not be like me and accidentally drink the salt water; you will die … fast). Beautiful but hollow, Outward is an absolute must for those looking for something different, but be warned, you might bite off more than you can choose.