Outbound

Outbound combines relaxed van life gameplay through exploring, crafting, and discovery across four scenic biomes, creating a slow paced outdoor adventure based around freedom rather than urgency.

Outbound is a super-cozy trek through the wilderness that prioritizes player freedom, but might be too slow for fans of the genre.

Outbound is a road trip that rewards patience over speed. Square Glade Games has built a world worth getting lost in, with a van customization system that keeps you tinkering and a presentation that always makes the next horizon look worth chasing.

You’re cruising gently down a quiet secluded road in your electric camper, the trees reaching up to stroke the blue skies on your right. Beyond the white sandy beach to your left, the sun starts to dip below the horizon, making the ocean glisten. Things couldn’t be more serene. A sense of ease creeps into your bones as a relaxed smile spreads across your face.

Outbound is an easy-going survival game that puts risk-free exploration above all else. Its core gameplay loop is satisfying enough to keep you and a friend or three hooked for a couple of hours, but the lack of variety and ultimate purpose wears thin beyond that. Of course, the same can be said about many a cozy game, but the best examples always make the process immensely satisfying. Outbound is still a refreshing antidote to a fast-paced world, but barring any additional content updates, this might be one road trip you’ll want to cut short.

In that way, Outbound is kind of like real-life camping. Freed from any burdensome goals, you’re merely soaking in the sights and enriching your experience. Rather than bingeing this game on a weekend, you’d be better served by checking in for a few hours a week. Stop by, light a few campfires, and make your home base even bigger. After all, there’s a certain Zen bliss in taking things this easy. On the other hand, there is no larger goal to achieve. The experience is largely what you make of it. For a lot of players, this could be an extremely frustrating game. And it does feel like something...

Outbound is a pretty game with an addictive loop but unfortunately a slow-moving van isn't enough to differentiate in a sea of cosy/survival games.

A niche title that certain gamers are sure to love, Outbound is an enjoyable exploration title that can often become too relaxing at times.

No summary available

A competent camping and survival game set in an unpopulated wilderness, whose lack of narrative structure, threat, or competitive elements leaves it feeling disappointingly hollow.

There's not much to Outbound.