Outland (video game)
A 2D platformer with a light-and-dark polarity combat system.
Outland, a platformer from Housemarque and Ubisoft, blends 2D jumping with a polarity mechanic reminiscent of Ikaruga and Silhouette Mirage. It launched on Xbox 360 in April 2011, with later releases on PlayStation 3, Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Housemarque
- Publisher
- Ubisoft
- Composer
- Ari Pulkkinen
- Platforms
- Xbox 360
- PlayStation 3
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Linux
- Genre
- Platform, Metroidvania
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Outland blends 2D platforming with action gameplay. The core mechanic involves blue Light and red Dark energies: players can pass through barriers matching their current alignment and must attack enemies of the opposite color. Special abilities, from basic melee strikes to advanced energy manipulation, are acquired at large shrines. Hidden collectibles called Masks of the Gods unlock extras like concept art or upgraded powers. The full story can be played through online with a friend in cooperative mode, which also includes unlockable co-op challenges scattered across the world. An Arcade Mode tests players by giving a fixed time to clear an entire region and defeat its boss—for instance, the Jungle chapter allows 15 minutes to reach and beat the Golem. The timer stops when flipping a switch, pausing, or dying. Score multipliers drop from enemies, and a time bonus is added after defeating the protector. An area’s Arcade chapter becomes available as soon as that area is unlocked.
Plot
A man in the present day starts having dreams and visions about the past. A shaman tells him about a conflict that took place thirty thousand years earlier, where a hero fought against the two Sisters of Chaos. One Sister controls the Light from the Sun, and the other controls the Darkness from the Moon. After the battle, the Sisters were locked away, but the hero died in the process. The shaman explains that the man is the hero reborn, that the Sisters have broken free, and that only he can stop them. The man goes to a large shrine located at the Crossroads of the World, where he has a final vision of the past. The player takes control of the ancient hero as he travels through a ruined world to reach the Temple of Eternity and fight the Sisters. The vision ends just before the battle, with the narrator describing what happens. Back in the present, the man explores four regions that branch out from the Crossroads: the Jungle, the Underworld, the , and the Sky. Each region is filled with creatures made from Light, Dark, or neutral energies, and each has a large protector that has been twisted by Chaos. When the man defeats a protector, a rune showing that protector lights up in the shrine, and the narrator gives a short speech about the protector and its corruption. After all four protectors are beaten and four of the five runes are active, the shrine sends the man to the Temple of Eternity. Inside, he meets the Sisters, who have been waiting to escape their prison so they can unmake the world and bring back Chaos. The man fights and defeats them. As he is about to land the final blow, the Temple starts to fall apart. The Sisters see the beauty and peace of the world, shaped by time and human effort. They give up and retreat, one going to the Sun and the other to the Moon. The spirit of the ancient hero then leaves the man's body, its purpose fulfilled.
Reception
Outland received favorable reviews on all platforms according to Metacritic. Tom McShea of GameSpot called it an expertly crafted platformer, praising its visual style, music, and co-op. IGN described it as a hell of a game that should be played posthaste. The Escapist gave the Xbox 360 version four stars out of five, stating it puts skills to the test but strikes a balance between frustration and triumph. The Daily Telegraph gave it eight out of ten, calling it fun to play for the joy of playing, with co-op story play and additional challenge areas. The A.V. Club gave it a B, highlighting boss battles such as a robed figure who causes colored rubble to whizz by. Wired gave the PlayStation 3 version eight stars out of ten in an early review, calling it a blend of Prince of Persia-style jumping and bullet-hell shooting. Outland was awarded Best PSN Game of 2011 by IGN and Best Download-only Console Game 2011 by GameSpot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the music for Outland (video game)?
The music for Outland was composed by Ari Pulkkinen.
Is Outland (video game) single-player or multiplayer?
Outland offers single-player and multiplayer play.
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