Incline Outward 2 - the sequel to the open world RPG where you are an ordinary adventurer and survival is harsh

[Fink]

First game is a fun co-op romp. I wouldn't particularly want anything changed in the sequel except for more structured content/quests. Outward 1 is basically a sandboxy, "let's check out this point of interest" sort of experience.

The writing/lore is atrocious as already stated ITT but I enjoy the gameplay enough to look past that since the focus is not on story, anyways. The art direction is pretty fucked too imo, but nine dots seem quite proud of it so I don't think that'll change much in the sequel.

Whatever happens I appreciate nine dots trying to do something unique and not pandering to the lowest common denominator, even if it doesn't always hit the mark, so I'm looking forward to more.

 

[Zed Duke of Banville]

First game is a fun co-op romp. I wouldn't particularly want anything changed in the sequel except for more structured content/quests. Outward 1 is basically a sandboxy, "let's check out this point of interest" sort of experience.

Although Outward was a promising start from a new developer, there's quite a bit that should be improved in the sequel:

• Fully Open World environment, with contiguity rather than being divided into discontinuous zones
• More civilization, rather than just one city per area
• Less janky combat
• Refined crafting system
• More large dungeons

 

[Jinn]

If you want to see what focusing on writing leads to I recommend you to play Torment:Tides of something something I forgot.

Behead storyfaggots

It doesn't have to be the focus in order to not be completely retarded and as if it were written by a high-schooler who's off their ADHD medication.

 

[NaturallyCarnivorousSheep]

If you want to see what focusing on writing leads to I recommend you to play Torment:Tides of something something I forgot.

Behead storyfaggots

It doesn't have to be the focus in order to not be completely retarded and as if it were written by a high-schooler who's off their ADHD medication.

Storyfaggotry=death

 

[mediocrepoet]

Backpack dropping simulator.

Man, this just nails it. "Describe Outward in three words."

 

[Zombra]

Backpack dropping simulator.
There's a line between cool immersion and tarded gameplay and that's it. right there.
That and let me quicksave, FFS.

I have great news, you don't have to play games at all, you can just watch tv for the minimum possible effort for your entertainment.

 

[Grampy_Bone]

Backpack dropping simulator.
There's a line between cool immersion and tarded gameplay and that's it. right there.
That and let me quicksave, FFS.

I have great news, you don't have to play games at all, you can just watch tv for the minimum possible effort for your entertainment.

A, Fuck you, and B, this got me thinking. What if games were like cars, instead of pay to win features, you could save money by stripping features out? No fast travel, -$1, no quest markers, -$1, no voice acting -$1, etc.

 

[Losus4]

Although Outward was a promising start from a new developer, there's quite a bit that should be improved in the sequel:

• Fully Open World environment, with contiguity rather than being divided into discontinuous zones
• More civilization, rather than just one city per area
• Less janky combat
• Refined crafting system
• More large dungeons

In addition—

- More ambient sounds. If you disable the music there are no ambient sounds whatsoever. No wind, bugs, birds... it's deathly quiet. For people who like to play without music this kills the immersion.

- Less forced quests. This game is horrible at forcing quests or status updates into your journal just because you had the audacity to speak to an NPC. Since you cannot reload you're forced to choose between journal bloat, or simply not interacting with any NPC.

- Some in-game books explaining the lore and mechanics. Like an ingredient book telling you where to forage X food or resource.

 

[Zombra]

- More ambient sounds. If you disable the music there are no ambient sounds whatsoever. No wind, bugs, birds... it's deathly quiet. For people who like to play without music this kills the immersion.
- Less forced quests. This game is horrible at forcing quests or status updates into your journal just because you had the audacity to speak to an NPC. Since you cannot reload you're forced to choose between journal bloat, or simply not interacting with any NPC.
- Some in-game books explaining the lore and mechanics. Like an ingredient book telling you where to forage X food or resource.

Agree with 1 and 2, strongly disagree with 3. In my opinion Outward's exploration is immensely satisfying exactly because we have to learn the lay of the land ourselves.

 

[Fink]

Journal bloat? I'm like 20-30 hours into a playthrough, talking to everyone, and I have like 5 entries in my journal.

 

[notpl]

Journal bloat? I'm like 20-30 hours into a playthrough, talking to everyone, and I have like 5 entries in my journal.

That is because the game doesn't have quests. I have no idea what he's talking about either. There's the single faction leader/main quest progression person in each town, and then the alien guy you meet in random caves, are there literally any other NPCs with dialogue in the game? Was shit added in a dlc or something?

 

[lukaszek]

are there literally any other NPCs with dialogue in the game?

lich

 

[Fink]

There's like 2-3 fetch quests in each town, aside from the main quests.

I'm guessing rather than a fault of the game, it's an issue of autism flaring up at the sight of a quest in the journal that he doesn't want to do just yet.

 

[TwoEdge]

There's a preview on IGN with some gameplay snippets, and it does feel faster overall. Still janky, same ol' Fire Sigil+Spark combo. Not much to see though, as it's a tiny vertical slice.