The Outer Worlds Review: Much More Than Fallout In Space

Combat & Character Builds

Speaking of shooting, the combat in this game is a slouch as the shooting and melee feels weighty, with guns giving a huge amount of kickback and blades of all sorts and energy sources carve through flesh, bones and steel with a satisfying heft. The player can also slow down time to let off pinpoint shots or even analyse their foe for weaknesses, and is able to use a dash mechanic that allows melee users some actual options other than just swinging for the fences and hoping for the best.

The ways in which you can approach combat is as vast as the variety of new gear that you can collect. From power armour to literal moon helmets you’ll be gathering new clobber so often that it’s very easy to become encumbered just because you want to try out each and every new bit of kit you find. Plus if you find a weapon that suits you down to the ground and don’t want to part ways with it, you can take it to a workbench to upgrade it with mods that imbue it with wild and useful effects, or you can simply tinker with it bringing it in line with other weapons you’ve collected along the way.

And seeing as you can have up to two companions joining you for the trip you’ll need to make sure they’re kitted out as well, turning your item management into a constant back and forth of balancing your wellbeing with theirs. And trust me you want them out there with you as it’s very easy to get overwhelmed by a pack of outlaws or beasts, and the ability to call on them to use a special attack unique to each companion can even the tide dramatically. I for one loved the fact that my Tossball loving friend Felix runs up and delivers a dropkick to the enemy which staggers those around him.