Outriders: A Blistering Co-op Shooter Plagued by Server Woes
Outriders, the new co-op RPG shooter from People Can Fly, promises a thrilling experience on a ravaged alien world. With its focus on teamwork, diverse character classes, and intense combat, Outriders has the potential to be a genre-defining hit. However, the game’s launch has been marred by severe server issues, creating a frustrating experience for players who are eager to dive into its chaotic world.
From "Internet connection error" pop-ups to game crashes and long loading times, server instability has become a major obstacle for players. While the core gameplay is solid, these technical glitches have cast a shadow over Outriders’ initial reception. This article delves into the game’s strengths and weaknesses, exploring the thrilling gameplay and the disappointing server problems that threaten to derail its potential.
A World in Ruins, a Story Yet to Unfold
Outriders throws players into a desolate future where humanity has sought refuge on an alien planet called Enoch. A cataclysmic event known as the Anomaly has transformed this once-promising world into a war-torn hellscape, divided between colonists and rebels. As one of the Altered, individuals empowered by the Anomaly, you embark on a quest to uncover the secrets of this hostile new world and find a way to restore order.
Choosing Your Path: The Four Classes of Outriders
Before venturing into the perilous landscape of Enoch, players must choose from one of four distinct character classes, each boasting unique abilities and playstyles:
- Devastator: A formidable tank class specializing in close-range combat and gravity manipulation.
- Trickster: A nimble rogue who uses teleportation and time manipulation to outmaneuver enemies and deal critical damage.
- Pyromancer: A powerful fire-wielding class capable of unleashing devastating flames from afar.
- Technomancer: A versatile support class that utilizes turrets, rockets, and toxic gas to control the battlefield.
Co-op play in Outriders allows for teams of three, giving players the opportunity to create synergistic combinations of classes. The ability to customize your class’s powers provides a degree of customization, allowing players to tailor their playstyle to suit their preferences and group composition.
A Weapon’s Arsenal: Guns, Abilities, and The Grind
Outriders isn’t just about superpowers; it also offers a satisfying gunplay experience. Players are equipped with a trio of weapons: two main weapons for combat, along with a sidearm for close encounters. Weapons boast a variety of properties like range, accuracy, stability, and rarity, which influence their effectiveness in different situations.
The game utilizes a "World Tier" system that determines the power of enemies and the rarity of loot. As you progress, the World Tier increases, requiring you to adapt your tactics and upgrade your gear to survive. While this system provides a sense of progression, it can also feel grindy, forcing players to farm specific items to stay competitive.
A Chaotic Dance: A Balancing Act Between Cover and Chaos
Outriders blends elements of cover shooters like Gears of War with the intricate power systems of games like Destiny 2, creating a unique blend of gunplay and supernatural abilities. The cover system offers a degree of protection, allowing players to reposition and strategize, but the intense, chaotic combat often forces you out of your safety.
Enemies in Outriders are diverse and unpredictable, challenging players with a wide array of weapons, tactics, and abilities. Some enemies use long-range attacks, while others prefer close-quarters engagements. The constant threat of grenades and explosives compels you to stay vigilant and mobile.
Co-op Collaboration: A Symphony of Abilities
Outriders thrives in co-op play, where teamwork is paramount. Players must coordinate their abilities, leveraging the strengths of each class to overcome overwhelming odds. The presence of different classes can dramatically alter how you approach encounters, prompting you to reconsider your tactics and capitalize on the strengths of your teammates.
However, co-op isn’t a cure-all for Outriders’ challenges. The game can still be brutally difficult, and even with a well-coordinated team, players may find themselves struggling to survive against powerful adversaries.
Server Stability: A Major Obstacle
Despite the compelling gameplay, Outriders’ launch has been severely hampered by ongoing server issues. The constant threat of disconnections, crashes, and long loading times disrupts the overall experience and undermines the game’s potential.
Many players have reported encountering "Internet connection error" messages that are directly tied to server problems. These errors force players back to the main menu, disrupting progress and interrupting gameplay.
These server issues have also frustrated co-op play, causing players to be disconnected from their groups and hindering teamwork.
People Can Fly has acknowledged the server problems and is working to address them, but the ongoing nature of these issues is a major concern for players.
A Verdict: A Promising Core With A Problematic Present
Outriders, at its core, delivers a thrilling co-op experience filled with chaotic combat and unique character abilities. However, the game’s launch has been plagued by server issues, which threaten to overshadow its potential.
If People Can Fly manages to resolve these server problems, Outriders could become a defining co-op experience. However, in its current state, the game’s technical shortcomings are a major impediment, making it difficult to recommend unequivocally.
Outriders has the ingredients for greatness, but its success hinges on a solution to its persistent server problems. Will People Can Fly be able to overcome these challenges and deliver the polished, enjoyable experience that players deserve?
Pros:
- Intense and rewarding co-op gameplay.
- Unique and engaging character classes.
- Satisfying gunplay and customizable weapons.
- Scalable difficulty system.
- Universal cross-play functionality.
Cons:
- Severe and persistent server issues.
- No offline mode available.
- Grindy elements required for progression.
- Combat can feel overwhelming at times.
- Cross-play features could be improved.
Rating (out of 10): 6.5
Outriders is currently available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Stadia, and GeForce NOW. The game’s current state is a mixed bag, offering a thrilling foundation that is unfortunately marred by significant technical hurdles.
