Outcast - Second Contact

I really wanted to like this game but in the end it's a no go. Game ending bugs are the main reason. For me it was doors at some mandatory fight at darosham. They open but but stay closed so you cannot advance the game. I've loaded every save game and tried and same bug happens. So I would have to replay the game from start(days) - and even then it would not guarantee that bug would not occur again. My game is patched to the latest. Other things that weren't so "game ending" but definitly annoying and should have been polished. - the speed of getting healed by the healer. Seriously lol. - how you have to get ammo and you can only request 6 boxes of ammo per request and the speed at which you can request is also pretty slow. Then wait to have it crafted. -when your technology identifies a key or something nearby - sometimes it highlights it and other times it does not. - the water / farm areas outskirts of shamazar - it's water (like rice fields) - but the water has low hills ) that w/o any warning you sink and die at random spots. -twan ho's (your ride like a horse) - can't jump or go in any form of water while you are on it (they pull carts through it - but won't walk into it). -the flinks were nice (a way to transport around a map) - would have been nicer if they allowed use to go from one section to another or if when used I would not pick it up so i have to find it again in my inventory and put it down. - a way to kill the guards when they are sleeping w/o having to use a noisy gun (they will wakeup if you do not kill them in a few minutes). You can punch them when they were sleeping but it never seemed to kill them. - some mechanics need addressed like being able to drop dynamite in the water. - purchasing weapons / upgrades - only available in one section. Depdning on what gate you go into for your 2nd "area" - you may do more than half the game with just a pistol.

Don't listen to the naysayers out there, this game is a fantastic remake of the original. Of course, this is open world is not comparable with the likes of Witcher 3 - this is a game of 1999 in its core - but it has its own unique charme. Once you set foot on Adelpha, it doesn't matter if you play this version or 1.1, you will love it. Highly recommended!

If you are an older gamer who liked and enjoyed the original OUTCAST in 1999, you will be overjoyed and cry of happiness with this version. But if you are a younger one and don't know anything about OUTCAST, you're probably on for boredom and disappointment. If it's the case, wait for a solid discount and give it a try with low expectation. Then maybe the magic will happen...

I’d definitely propose you to buy Second Contact, if you can’t withstand the (very) old graphics of 1.1. Whichever version you choose, it would be a mistake to entirely bypass this game. The game does everything right in terms of: the beautiful environments, the in-game musical score and the story. You’ll also see the total change in Slade’s personality too. He is very indifferent at first about the natives, and he becomes very helpful and considerate as the game progresses and sees their difficulties. The ending is magnificent, long, sad, and funny (just keep it after the credits roll)! Just one advice: in this game, aggressiveness pays off. Being on the offensive and moving a lot during shootouts will make the game easier, than trying to shoot carefully to not spend bullets. There are materials everywhere in order for you to collect them and take them to recreators (the game’s blacksmiths), so they can make ammunition for you, and for free! Also enemies don’t respawn, so it is best to kill everything, to be at ease when later you are to tread in the same regions. The only enemies that respawn are those who escort wagons in each region, and they too will stop when you disrupt the flow of production in this region. Also, contrary to 1.1 game, in Second Contact the named NPCs (which are important for quests) are shown in the map. Just a personal opinion (can’t exactly be counted as a “negative”): I preferred Slade’s looks in the 1.1 game!

(Short German text below) Background: Played Outcast when it came out and also 1.1. later. It took me some time, to get into the game as I had at least 3 playthroughs when it came out. You basically get the original with better graphics and a few adjustments, features and improvements. I'm still fascinated by this organic, exotic and still familiar world that is Adelpha. The new visuals, while not top notch, cretainly are a big improvement. For me the dialogues are well written, adding humour and personality to the characters. Yes, you have fetch quests, kill tasks, along with some actual puzzles. Still they feel much more as part of the world compared to many other games. One reason is the lack of grinding. Another is the world design which feels neither too empty nor too stuffed. Same goes for the size. Smalles than newer open world games but also not as overwelming or even empty/lifeless/boring as some of them. The combat might not be great and is different than in modern games but I like it. Enemies use tactics, you can dodge projectiles, it feels satisfying to clear an area out of enemies. The world is not only carried by asthetic visuals and great dialogues but also by the fantastic orchestral music score and good sound effects. There are some minor improvements like optional explanations, a new dodge roll, sprinting. Also some terrain is easyier to access than before. Bugs? Yes but not game breaking. The pacing is rather slow. Still the game can absorb you like few other. Deutsch: Im Prinzip das alte Outcast in hübsch und mit ein paar Komfortfunktionen. Die neue Grafik tut der Welt gut ohne ganz vorne mitzuspielen. Das erkunden und auch Kämpfe sind gemächlicher als in neueren Spielen. Vielleicht etwas schlechter, vor allem aber anders. Mir gefällt's :) Für mich wird die Seele Outcasts v.a. durch Dialoge, Sound, Musik und Weltdesign getragen. All das ist immer noch vorhanden. Im Zweifelsfall gameplay Videos anschauen und dann entscheiden.