Developer Shows off Exploration-Heavy RPG OUTWARD

Publisher Deep Silver and developer Nine Dots have released a new Developer’s Diary video for their hardcore fantasy adventure OUTWARD. This video showcases the variety and depth of not only the game’s environment, but also the mechanics of an undervalued and iconic piece of gear: the backpack.

OUTWARD is a hardcore RPG that tempers fantasy elements with realism. The player must survive against natural dangers like hunger, disease, and the elements as well as monsters and brigands. This is where the backpack comes in; without the limitless inventory seen in other RPGs how will the player surpass the challenges that enemies and the environment present to them? The larger your backpack, the more prepared you can be. However, carrying too much encumbering equipment will leave you vulnerable in a surprise attack. Which pack you carry can be just as much a deciding factor as the weapon you bring into battle and your chosen fighting style.

Additionally, the player’s map-reading skills will be put to the test. Exploring the corners of Aurai with nothing but a backpack provides a thrilling experience that can be described as the peak of adventuring! You decide if you want to travel light or not, but you will have to make sure you are able to adapt to your environment. Aurai has four distinct regions that you will need to navigate with the help of your trusty compass, your map, and your ability to locate landmarks. The game will not do that for you. Not to worry, though. With preparation, you will be able to overcome most challenges that OUTWARD will throw at you.

OUTWARD is scheduled for release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam on March 26th, 2019.

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Picture of John Breeden II
John Breeden II
As a journalist John has covered everything from rural town meetings to the U.S. Congress and even done time as a crime reporter and photographer.|His first venture into writing about the game industry came in the form of a computer column called "On the Chip Side," which grew to have over 1 million circulation and was published in newspapers in several states. From there he did several "ask the computer guy" columns in magazines such as Up Front! in New Mexico and Who Cares? in Washington D.C. When the Internet started to become popular, he began writing guided Web tours for the newly launched Washington Post online section as well as reviews for the weekend section of the paper, something he still does from time to time. His experience in trade publications came as a writer and reviewer for Government Computer News. As the editor of GiN, he demands strict editorial standards from all the writers and reviewers. Breeden feels the industry needs a weekly, reliable trade publication covering the games industry and works tirelessly to accomplish that goal.