I had the opportunity to play the enjoyable survival adventure game Outward for PC last year, which is set in a fantasy world. Unlike other fantasy games, Outward takes a different approach by casting you as an average person thrust into a dangerous world, rather than someone actively seeking adventure. The game provided players with plenty of activities to engage in, including a variety of weapons to wield and magic to master. Now, the talented team at Nine Dots Studios has released a new downloadable content called Outward: The Soroboreans for PC.
While survivalist games are not my forte, I have accumulated extensive experience with fantasy-based RPGs throughout the years. The Soroboreans build upon Outward’s already challenging formula by introducing a fresh faction and new mechanics to manage. However, for those who are new to Outward and are just starting their journey, they will need to wait a little before venturing into Harmattan. This new location is the home of a potential fourth faction known as The Sorobor Academy. Choosing to join this faction will prevent you from aligning with the other three main factions in the game.
Regardless of the player type, reaching the new area in Outward requires gathering 2-4 rations (2 for the starting town of Cierzo) and a significant amount of in-game currency, totaling 200 silver. To put things into perspective, earning 150 gold within just five days is a challenging task in the base game alone, let alone to sustain your house. In comparison, normal travel between the main game’s locations only requires three rations. Perhaps this requirement was implemented to ensure players become well-versed in the game’s core survival and combat mechanics before delving into the new area. The Soroboreans content seems to be designed for players who are already familiar with the base game, as it presents a higher level of difficulty than what I had previously experienced.
Outward’s Underground Dungeons
The caravan that transports you to Harmattan also introduces a fast travel system, allowing you to quickly reach the five main cities in the base game, provided you are willing to pay the steep cost. Speaking from personal experience, this option can be quite enticing as it enables you to avoid many of the dangers encountered while traversing entire zones on foot to reach important destinations. However, if you choose to go to Harmattan, you will also have to confront the demands of your Blood Price, so there’s no luck in escaping that particular challenge.
Once you arrive in Harmattan, you can embark on the main questline to join the prestigious Sorobor Academy, which emphasizes academic knowledge and offers a wealth of content akin to the main game. The Sorobor Academy presents an equal number of quests compared to the main factions, along with its own unique parallel quest called “Rust and Vengeance.” Fortunately, this particular quest provides a longer time limit of 100 days, unlike the core timers for the other factions. This extended timeframe is necessary as the process involves navigating an expansive underground runic train system to access various dungeons and locate four Gemstone keys, which play a crucial role in the climax of this questline.
Additionally, there are several repeatable minor quests available if you find yourself in need of extra funds, particularly if you wish to delve into the costly new practice of enhancing items and equipment through Enchantments. To undertake this endeavor, you will need to engage in exploration and most likely combat, both in completing these quests and progressing through the main storyline.
Mastering Combat in The Soroboreans Expansion
In The Soroboreans, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with combat quickly, much like in the main game. This expansion introduces a couple of new options for combat enthusiasts. One notable addition is the weighty Gauntlets, which allow for up-close and personal punches during combat. Pairing these Gauntlets with the new Speedster Skill Tree provides a satisfying experience, enabling you to evade attacks and land effective hits. However, be cautious as this playstyle carries a higher risk of sustaining damage.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more ranged approach to combat, the new Hex magic Skill Tree might be the perfect fit for you. This magic allows you to debilitate your enemies with various debuffs. However, more advanced spells will require you to expose yourself to Corruption. This introduces a new mechanic that needs to be managed alongside your basic needs, but with an added risk/reward element. For instance, certain spells demand a certain level of corruption to be used, but at the cost of powerful enemies spawning around you or even the risk of exploding if your corruption reaches 100%. Hex magic does offer a way to reduce corruption through the Cleanse ability, but it comes with the drawback of reduced damage output.
The Importance of Enchantments in Outward
To gain an additional advantage, both in and out of combat, the Enchantment system proves to be immensely useful. While you can only enchant an item once, the good news is that you won’t lose or consume the item if the enchantment attempt fails. However, this system requires careful attention to positioning and specific conditions. For instance, Assassin enchantments demand performing the process at night with the appropriate type of incense and armor. You also need to position the Enchanting pillars, complete with incense, in the correct cardinal compass positions as specified by the recipes you acquire through purchase or discovery. Despite not being a fervent enthusiast of creating enchantments in RPGs, I found the process manageable and sought it out to craft a few of the new Vampiric weapons.
By the time I delved into The Soroboreans, I had already invested a significant amount of time in the base Outward experience, both playing solo and with a companion. I’m pleased to inform you that the cooperative option is once again available in The Soroboreans, allowing you to embark on this adventure with a partner by your side. Whether you choose to traverse the Antique Plateau alone or with a companion, you will encounter danger, intrigue, and various enemy-infested locations as you explore ruins, dungeons, and more. Therefore, if you thoroughly enjoyed the original game or are considering experiencing it for the first time, be sure to grab Outward: The Soroboreans for PC and immerse yourself in this captivating survivalist fantasy adventure today.
Conclusion
Rust and Vengeance, the latest expansion for Outward, delivers an immersive and thrilling gaming experience. The expansion introduces a captivating storyline centered around revenge, providing players with engaging quests and challenges to overcome. Whether you choose to embrace the weighty Gauntlets for up-close combat or harness the Hex magic for a ranged approach, the expansion offers new options to enhance your gameplay style. The Enchantment system adds depth to item customization, allowing players to experiment and strategize with various effects. While the expansion assumes familiarity with the base game, both solo and co-op players will find themselves immersed in the Antique Plateau’s danger-filled landscapes, ruins, and dungeons.
Overall, Rust and Vengeance is a worthy addition to the Outward universe, providing a fresh and challenging experience for fans of the game. Whether you’re seeking an enthralling adventure or craving for more survivalist fantasy action, Rust and Vengeance offers an expansion that is sure to satisfy your gaming appetite.