Outpath
- October 16, 2023
- David Moralejo Sánchez
- 13h median play time
Outpath is a single-player open world game with wonderful mechanics and fabulous visuals. Gather resources, craft items, and build your base at your own pace in this 3D first-person platformer. Enjoy the excellent soundtrack, parkour movements, fishing, and the secrets of this stylized world, but be prepared for some grinding.
Reviews
- gameplay320 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Outpath" is characterized by a blend of clicker mechanics, resource gathering, and base building, offering a relaxing and addictive experience reminiscent of "Forager" but in a 3D environment. Players appreciate the satisfying progression and variety of mechanics, although some find the gameplay loop too simplistic and repetitive over time. While the game features enjoyable movement mechanics and a cozy aesthetic, it also suffers from occasional bugs and a lack of clarity in certain mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience.
“In terms of gameplay, nearly everything you build is useful to you in some way and the upgrades you unlock are helpful; it also gives you plenty of different options when it comes to weapons to choose from.”
“The game keeps introducing new mechanics that alter the way you play, and it keeps getting more interesting.”
“With a chill soundtrack, easy-to-pickup gameplay, satisfying loops, and vibrant, soothing aesthetics, it is easy to see why 'Outpath' has gathered such rave reviews.”
“Forager seems to be the main inspiration of this game, but this game lacks the character and gameplay of Forager.”
“It goes to automation in island 3+ and that's just not chill gameplay for me; it ruins the whole thing.”
“Unlike Forager, you can only have one passive island at a time, which means that a large part of the game world will stay inactive unless you are specifically on it, which slows down gameplay unnecessarily.”
- grinding200 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The game is generally described as grindy, with many players noting that while the grinding can be repetitive and tedious, it is often balanced by enjoyable mechanics and a satisfying progression system. Some players appreciate the relaxing nature of the grind, likening it to a casual experience suitable for multitasking, while others find certain aspects, like resource collection and achievement hunting, excessively tedious. Overall, the grinding is seen as a core element of the game, appealing to fans of incremental and farming genres, but may deter those who prefer less repetitive gameplay.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“100% completing the game is grindy as hell.”
“I found Outpath to be really grindy; it takes ages to get enough credits to be able to research new stuff, and all of the automation items were very expensive.”
“I highly suggest playing this game, but I do not recommend going for all achievements, as the hardest one will require many hours of tedious grinding.”
- music144 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its calming and atmospheric qualities, often compared to the soothing soundtracks of titles like Minecraft. Players appreciate the relaxing vibes and memorable melodies that enhance the overall gameplay experience, although some noted occasional interruptions in the music during specific actions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive and enjoyable ambiance.
“The progression is cathartic, the music is atmospheric, the art style immaculate.. in the two hours I sunk into my first session, I already fully cleared the first island.”
“Super chill vibes, music that got stuck in my head and overall just a nice game to relax with.”
“The music is perfect for this type of game, just relaxing and not distracting at all.”
“Music cutting off randomly?”
“Whenever I go into the mines or go to a specific area, the calming music just stops out of nowhere, not sure what triggers it but it's noticeable.”
“Quite relaxing, music can get a bit busy though.”
- graphics128 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and unique pixel art style, which many players find relaxing and enjoyable. While some reviewers note that the visuals may not meet high graphical fidelity standards, the overall aesthetic is considered engaging and well-suited to the game's cozy atmosphere. The combination of vibrant colors, minimalist design, and atmospheric music enhances the immersive experience, making it appealing even on lower-end hardware.
“The highlight of this game for me at least is the art style, it's so unique and makes the game really enjoyable to look at.”
“The art style is fantastic, the soundtrack (although small) is beautiful, and the game feels overall really well put together.”
“Overall a very engaging game with fantastic visuals and lovely music, I recommend it to anyone who enjoys these types of games, it's clear a lot of love and care was put into it.”
“At that, the game is basically a Minecraft clone with less of the available gameplay features and worse graphics.”
“I can usually get past pixel graphics and such when done well, but this is less than early Minecraft quality in many aspects.”
“I do understand that some smaller developers do not have the experience, knowledge, or teams to create decent 3D graphics; but I expected to get more from the game than what it offers.”
- story30 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as either strange or non-existent, with some players finding it difficult to understand the narrative's purpose. However, a few reviewers appreciated the calmness and charm of the ending text and letters, suggesting that while the story may not be the main focus, it adds a layer of intrigue to the gameplay. Overall, the gameplay mechanics are praised, often overshadowing the narrative aspect.
“I don't know how to better explain the depth of this game's beauty, so let me tell you a story:”
“Edit: Just finished the 'story' after 15 hours, it was nice. I really loved the letters and the ending text; it's a really calm game. Hope there will be a multiplayer soon. Thank you, David, for this game. I didn't know I could have so much fun with an 'only clicking' game :)”
“There's also even a mysterious background story forming as I'm playing, something I didn't even expect from this sort of game.”
“Such a weird story.”
“For me, the story was a little strange and I didn't really understand why I was doing the clicking.”
“- non-existent story.”
- humor26 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its absurdity and comedic elements, with players finding joy in the quirky crafting mechanics and the nonsensical nature of many items. The game's experimental design and metanarrative add to its charm, making it not only funny but also engaging and addictive. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience, with many players expressing their appreciation for the comedic achievements and the influence of popular gaming content creators.
“But 80% of them are absolutely hilarious and have such an absurd crafting chain that eating roots and honey seems much more rewarding (and 100% more effective in terms of buffs).”
“I applaud the dev for this game, beautiful, funny at times and I love how some of the achievements have a comedic effect.”
“After watching Let's Game It Out's hilarious insanity in this game, I just had to give it a try.”
- stability18 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing significant bugs, particularly related to building placement and game-breaking issues that affect saving progress. While many enjoy smooth gameplay and find it fun and visually appealing, others report glitches that arise as the game world expands. Overall, the game shows potential for improvement in stability, with some bugs already addressed in updates.
“Very fun and relaxing game, it looks great, it runs great, it's just really fun overall.”
“Placing buildings can be buggy and confusing, with the game saying things can't be placed for no reason.”
“Overall, the gameplay is really smooth, but I have noticed that as my current world gets bigger and I keep expanding, glitches have occurred.”
“I unfortunately came upon a game-breaking bug that freezes the game when quitting, which also does not save the game.”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently described as chill, cozy, and soothing, providing a relaxing escape from reality. Players appreciate the atmospheric music and stunning art style, which enhance the sense of progression and exploration. Overall, the combination of a peaceful environment and engaging gameplay creates a captivating and immersive experience.
“If you're in need of an escape from the chaos of real life, look no further than this relaxing game with its stunning array of colors and soothing atmosphere.”
“On top of that, it sports an eerily chill and soothing atmosphere that calms your nerves on one side and pushes that itch for steady progression on the other.”
“I have forgotten just enough and/or enough has changed that it feels like a new experience again, relearning, experimenting, and in the most relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.”
“The game itself is a lot of fun if you like the feeling of chasing upgrades and a relaxing atmosphere.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while the randomly generated islands offer some variety and visual appeal, many players find the overall experience lacks depth and end-game content. Some enjoy the game for a short-term playthrough, but others feel it doesn't justify repeated plays due to its bland world and limited content. Overall, it may provide a fun experience for a weekend or month, but long-term replay value is questionable.
“The islands themselves are quite varied and look quite nice; the fact that their positions and rotations are randomly generated adds some replayability.”
“I do not know how much replayability this game will have as I am almost end-game, but it surely is a fun weekend or one-month playthrough.”
“Although there isn't a lot of replayability, the game still offers an enjoyable experience.”
“The game world is so bland that, even though it's 'proc gen', there really just isn't any replay value.”
“But quite short for the price and does not have a lot of replay value.”
“Although there isn't a lot of replayability and there's not a lot of end game content.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for delivering a consistent 144fps with maxed render distance, especially after early patches addressed initial performance issues. However, some players report minor performance hiccups in the endgame and express dissatisfaction with the new island loading system, which they feel hampers automation gameplay. Despite these concerns, the performance remains solid, particularly on the second island.
“Performance is great, constant 144fps with render distance maxed.”
“Amazing little game about building, collecting, and optimization.”
“There are some performance issues in the endgame, but otherwise good.”
“I don't love the new island loading system; I can imagine it could be due to performance, but as someone who loves to automate and then forget, this doesn't allow me to do that.”
“No performance issues after the first couple of patches came out, and the developer was on those within hours.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally impactful, with relatable endings that evoke confusion and curiosity, leading to a heartwarming final secret that brings joy and smiles. Overall, the emotional depth of the narrative resonates strongly, leaving a lasting impression.
“The letters gave me a sense of confusion, along with some of the most relatable endings that made me want to know more; it made me emotional even.”
“I love the final secret. I don't want to say anything about it in this review, but it was very heartwarming and made me smile.”
“This game made me feel joy again.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization model of this Minecraft-like idle clicker game is praised for its simplicity, as it only requires the purchase of the base game and does not pressure players with additional purchases or intrusive ads. This approach is seen as a refreshing change compared to other games that often rely on aggressive monetization strategies.
“Be it bad gameplay, some kind of monetization, or trying to woo players with fancy graphics.”