Outland (video game)
| Outland | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | Housemarque |
| Publisher(s) | Ubisoft |
| Composer(s) | Ari Pulkkinen |
| Platform(s) | Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux |
| Release |
XBLA April 27, 2011 PSN June 14, 2011 Windows September 29, 2014 Linux February 25, 2015 |
| Genre(s) | Platform, Metroidvania |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | Xbox 360: 86.64% (36 reviews) PS3: 82.41% (17 reviews) |
| Metacritic | Xbox 360: 84% (55 reviews) PS3: 83% (28 reviews) |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| 1UP.com | A– |
| Game Informer | 9/10 |
| GameSpot | 9/10 |
| IGN | 9/10 |
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Award |
| IGN | 2011 Editors Choice |
| GameSpot | 2011 Editors Choice |
| Eurogamer | Game of the Week |
| FIGMA | Finnish Game of the Year 2012 |
Outland is a platform game developed by Housemarque and published by Ubisoft. The game combines two-dimensional platforming with a polarity system similar to Treasure's Ikaruga and Silhouette Mirage. Outland was released in April 27, 2011 for Xbox Live Arcade. The PlayStation 3 version was delayed because of the PlayStation Network outage then later released on June 14, 2011. A Windows version was released on September 29, 2014. The Linux version was released on February 25, 2015.
Outland is a 2D platformer with action game elements. Gameplay mainly revolves around using Light (blue) and Dark (red) energies, which allows the player to pass through their respective barriers, and attack monsters born of the opposite alignment (e.g. use Light to attack Dark monsters).
Along the way, players learn special powers from large shrines, from simple melee attacks to the harnessing of Light and Dark energy. Players can also collect hidden objects called "Masks of the Gods" in order to unlock extras such as concept art or enhanced in-game abilities.
Players also have an option to experience the entire storyline online with a friend in co-operative mode. There are also co-op challenges scattered throughout the world that can be unlocked and played when in co-op mode.
In addition to the main storyline, there is an Arcade Mode that puts the player to the test by putting a set time for the player to traverse throughout an entire region and defeat its protector. For example, in the Jungle's Arcade Mode, the player has 15 minutes to travel throughout the entire Jungle and defeat the Golem in the end. The highest scores are posted online on a leaderboard. Flipping a switch, pausing the game, and dying halt the timer. Arcade scores increase with multipliers that drop from enemies, and a bonus is given depending on how much time is left after the protector is defeated. An Arcade chapter for one area is unlocked as soon as the area itself is unlocked.
In the present day, one man had started to experience dreams and visions of the past. He attempted to take medicine to stop it, thinking that this was a medical problem, but the medicine was ineffective; something larger was at play here. The man decided to find a shaman to find out what the problem was, what these dreams and visions meant, and to cure him of them. However, the shaman told the man of the ancient stories of a battle 30,000 years ago between a great hero and the two Sisters of Chaos - one who controls Light from the Sun, and one who controls Darkness from the Moon. The Sisters were imprisoned after the battle, but the hero had perished in the process. The shaman informed the man that he was the hero's reincarnation, and that the Sisters of Chaos have apparently escaped their imprisonment. This man was now the only one who could stop them, and so he went forth on the journey.
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