Outlanders
A small-scale settlement management game for Apple Arcade and Windows.
Outlanders is a city-building game from Uruguayan developer Pomelo Games. Rather than managing a sprawling metropolis, players oversee a small settlement. The game was released on Apple Arcade for iOS, macOS, and tvOS in 2019, with a Windows port following in 2023. A sequel, Outlanders 2: Second Nature, arrived on Apple Arcade in July 2024 for the same Apple platforms.
In gameplay, players complete scenario-based tasks that involve resource management and construction simulation. Settlers act autonomously but can be assigned specific jobs. They can die from old age or if the settlement is mismanaged—for example, by letting food supplies run out. Players can influence settler behavior through decrees, though this typically lowers their happiness.
Pomelo Games chose to develop Outlanders for Apple Arcade primarily to avoid needing a monetization model. The iOS version launched on September 19, 2019, and the Windows port followed on March 7, 2023.
Pocket Gamer called Outlanders one of the best games on Apple Arcade, recommending it to players seeking a relaxing city-building experience. Game Informer preferred the Windows port over the iOS version due to its better user interface, describing the game as "an immensely satisfying experience" with difficult but fair scenarios. Rock Paper Shotgun noted the game is as charming and relaxing as promised, praising its surprising amount of humor. Macwelt recommended it to fans of real-time strategy games who want a similar but more relaxing experience. Outlanders was nominated for best video game at the 2019 International Mobile Gaming Awards.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Outlanders
- Developer
- Pomelo Games
- Engine
- Unity
- Platforms
- iOS / macOS / tvOS / Windows
- Released
- iOS, tvOS, macOS WW · September 19, 2019 / Windows WW · March 7, 2023
- Genre
- City-building
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Outlanders was developed by Pomelo Games, an Uruguayan studio, specifically for Apple Arcade. The primary motivation for this platform choice was to avoid having to find a way to monetize the game. The iOS version launched on September 19, 2019, and a Windows port followed on March 7, 2023.
In the game, players manage a small settlement, completing various tasks in scenarios that involve resource management and elements of construction and management simulations. Settlers are autonomous but can be assigned to jobs. They can die of old age or if players mismanage the settlement, such as by running out of food. Players can control settler behavior through decrees, though this usually decreases happiness.
Outlanders was nominated for best video game in the 2019 International Mobile Gaming Awards.
Reader's Guide
Outlanders was recognized by Pocket Gamer as one of the best games on Apple Arcade and recommended to players seeking a relaxing city-building experience. Game Informer recommended the Windows port over the iOS version for its better user interface, calling the game 'an immensely satisfying experience' and noting that the scenarios are difficult but fair. Rock Paper Shotgun stated that the game is as charming and relaxing as it promises, also praising a surprising amount of humor. Macwelt recommended it to fans of real-time strategy games who want something that plays similarly but is more relaxing. The game's nomination for best video game in the 2019 International Mobile Gaming Awards further highlighted its reception within the mobile gaming community.
Did You Know?
- Outlanders was developed by Uruguayan studio Pomelo Games.
- The game was released on Apple Arcade to avoid needing a monetization model.
- Settlers can die of old age or from mismanagement, such as running out of food.
- A sequel, Outlanders 2: Second Nature, was released on Apple Arcade in July 2024.
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