Guess what I've been playing...

[Aku]

A few weeks ago, some conversation about a certain game got me to thinking, so I picked up Outcast on Ebay for just under ten bucks with the shipping. It's an original copy in great shape and has the manual. I just finished it tonight. As big as the game world is, I finished it in a little over a week - probably about 25 hours total playing time. I learned at the end that I only completed 2/3 of the side quests though, so I'll probably go back and talk to dozens of locals to find the quests I missed. I guess that's another three hours or so of gameplay left.

The game is fun, and has a really cool look. There are a few negatives. For example, there is this thing that looks like a cross between a dinosaur and an ostrich that you can ride. The problem is, there is a bug so that it can't walk forward, only jump. That's too bad, because these animals can really cut the travel time down I've heard. As it was, I was forced to hoof it through the whole game (which isn't too bad, actually). I was on another board, and the problem affects pretty much everyone who plays it. It's probably related to XP or DirectX 9 or something, as I didn't read about this problem existing when people played it a few years ago. Such is the bane of older games (like Mechwarrior 3...another story).

The game also has problems loading sometimes, and gets Direct Draw errors, or a bad audio error, so the saved game loads without the music. But, restarting the game fixes it. Game was pretty stable once it got out of the blocks, though.

Outcast has great style and atmosphere. Tons of dialogue - all exchanges are via dialogue. The game is also peppered with a generous number of cutscenes done in the game's engine. Outcast does a great job of keeping you immersed in the game world. There is some puzzle solving, but it is in the Tomb Raider vein (insert keys in right order, etc.). Most of the game is running aroudn interacting with people of this alien planet, and fighting with bad guys. The combat is entertaining, but control is very clunky in first person view (you have to fight in first person, because you can't aim right in third person view). The enemy AI is pretty good. Guards will split up and try to flank you. The fatal flaw is the weapons. Everything fires in slow motion, so both you and the enemy can dodge each other's shots. Ultimately it gives you the advantage though, because you can still hit them at some distance, whereas you can always dodge their shots. And the wide open spaces make it easy to keep your distance. Close quarters battles would have been much better suited for this combat engine. NPCs look natural and seem like they're really alive and going about their business - not just props for you to look at and occasionally talk to.

I really enjoyed the graphics in this game. Voxel schmoxel, they made the right choice using a software engine. It's five years later and I liked it, yet people were whining and complaining about it when it first came out. "Ooooh, but it won't run on my TNT2!" The game has a unique look that will never be duplicated, making it a rarity among pc games. Ground actually looks like it's made from dirt and sand. And that water! Exceptional sound - soundtrack, voice acting, sound effects. A first rate job.

There are some cool creatures in this game, including a couple of killer monsters. Good B-movie story, and the main character works well. The actor who plays him took the likeable smartass approach, as opposed to acting more like a tough guy character the name Cutter Slade implies. A tough guy for the main character would have ruined it. The ending was a long cutscene. I was a little disappointed, because I thought they could have played out part of the ending through another action sequence, instead of having you watch it like a movie. Still, an enjoyable game overall. I will post a review on it in a week or so. It may not be Morrowind, but I would be ashamed of myself as a gamer if I never played Outcast, right S-B-S? ;)

[Renzatic Gear]

I've heard so much about this game...I think it's time that I consider giving it a go. I might see if I can find it, Realms of the Haunting, and Project Eden all at once.

Edit: lol, I just grabbed Project Eden for $1.95 off of Amazon. S&H was actually more expensive than the game itself. Now lets see if I can track down Outcast...

[Suicides-by-Steve]

Sorry Aku- I played the game already! Heh- nice try though. :p I just didn't finish it, and sold it a little too quickly I think. I tend to agree with your synopsis of the game though. :)

[Renzatic Gear]

Hey Steve, now that you're on here...

From the looks of it Realms of the Haunting is an old DOS game..what'd you have to do to get it to run in XP?

[Aku]

Edit: lol, I just grabbed Project Eden for $1.95 off of Amazon. S&H was actually more expensive than the game itself. Now lets see if I can track down Outcast...

I got Project Eden for $3.95 at EBX. I just reviewed it last month, though I finished it awhile ago. Much more of a puzzle game than Outcast. The game is a spiritual successor of the old console game, The Lost Vikngs.

[Suicides-by-Steve]

Hey Steve, now that you're on here...

From the looks of it Realms of the Haunting is an old DOS game..what'd you have to do to get it to run in XP?

Well, I never had it running on my current comp. I had it installed on 2000 and a 98 OS at my work. Couldn't rightly say if it would work on the XP machine. I could try it if you want. I'll get back to you in a day or so if you wish.

[Renzatic Gear]

Eh, I'll just run it using VirtualPC or something. All I wanted to know was how big of a hassle you had to go through to get it to run if you were playing it on XP.

[Jasmania]

Hey Aku- I was the one that mentioned the game in your "Return to Adventure Game" thread.
Her is the text of my post-
(An obscure oldie I loved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I love a game called Outcast. It was released in 1999 by the French company-Infogames.
Its a hybrid adventure / action game. It was made with a proprietary voxel-based graphics engine. Some of the visuals are so-so, but the gameworld is huge and voxels allow for large outdoor environments and beautiful water effects. The story is very quircky, which I loved and you can go anywhere at just about anytime. There is an almost complete degree of freedom that I liked. You get tons of side quests that are fun and advantageous.
You gotta love any game that allow you to sing in an alien language! It also has some of the best sniping options I've ever played in a combat scenario. Sniping AND singing in the same game....what more could you ask for??!!
The story is pretty standard. You play a character named...yes...Cutter Slade...I know, I know. Don't let that throw you. You are a professional soldier sent into another dimension to search for a previous expedition after an experiment goes wrong. The fate of two worlds lies in your hands. YADDA YADDA YADDA.
Don't worry, once you start playing the story takes you in unexpected directions.
I see this game in the bargain bin from time to time. Pick it up if you see it for cheap.)

Whats funny is that after writing about the game I went to my game collection and discovered that I had sent the game to my nephew some time back. Rather than ask for it back, I also went on Ebay and found a used copy of the game. I haven't started re-playing it yet, but I did want to make sure that I had a copy of the game. After reading your impressions I think I'll re-load it on my hard drive.
As I mentioned in the above post, It was one of the first -"OH WOW" graphics moments when I saw the ripples & sky reflected in the water. The other thing I liked about the game was the bright, sunny environments. Unlike so many games of the time that were set in dungeons or dark, brooding locales, the world portrayed in this game has a beautiful, even optimistic feel to it. This was a world that you actualy want to save...in addition to your of course.

While I really liked this game, I was also let down by the ending. SPOILER ALERT!!!
Kinda' felt cheated out of the last big battle, not to mention not getting the babe.
I also picked up Project Eden, Ghost Recon-Island Thunder & Desert Siege, all for $16.00! Ya gotta love Ebay!!

[DBS]

I love ebay myself and loved Outcast as well. I almost finished it and should of though.....
I been finishing up GR and been enjoying Starfleet Command 3, although it is a niche game I like it. I also have continued my adventures in Morrowind Tribunal and will soon load up Bloodmoon. I still love Morrowind and it has earned its place on my all time favorite list. I completed Call of Duty on hard and enjoyed it as well. I have a new 3.4 gig system in my cart and should be all set for a good gaming future. Rad 128 pro card, 1 gig memory, it is a XPS Dell system for $1650 with 120 gig hard drive, dvd, and a cool look. I been itching for a new system and it is a good cost vs performance for my gaming buck.

Gotta get ready for Doom 3 and other goodies coming out in the future............

[Jasmania]

Congrats! Nice rig and at a good price. I will eventually get back to Morrowind. I had to stop playing when I ran into the "Corpus Bug" and the fix that I downloaded wouldn't install.
When I built my new system I didn't reload it on on of the new hard drives. It's definitely a game that I would play again from the beginning. I'm currently dividing my time between new games-(just finished FarCry- now playing BF-Vietnam & Painkiller) and several old games I hadn't finished or was ready to play again-(Red Faction, Grim Fandago, The Longest Journey). Thinking about the new Splinter Cell.......and now,
Outcast: Reloaded :p

[Aku]

I'm currently dividing my time between new games-(just finished FarCry- now playing BF-Vietnam & Painkiller) and several old games I hadn't finished or was ready to play again-(Red Faction, Grim Fandago, The Longest Journey).

I played Grim Fandango again from the beginning last month. I played about half way through it the first time several years ago, then accidentally chucked the cd. I bought it again off Ebay last month and finally finished it. They keep stocking Longest Journey at CompUSA for only $15. I go back and forth on getting it. A lot of people like it, but it sounds like a lot of running around and listening to endless dialogues. I'm not into interactive movies. I may be misjuding it, though (I'm sure someone here will set me straight if I am). Grim Fandango got the gameplay right. Nice balance between puzzles, dialolgue, and story.

[Aku]

Hey Aku- I was the one that mentioned the game in your "Return to Adventure Game" thread.
Her is the text of my post-
(An obscure oldie I loved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I love a game called Outcast. It was released in 1999 by the French company-Infogames.

While I really liked this game, I was also let down by the ending. SPOILER ALERT!!!
Kinda' felt cheated out of the last big battle, not to mention not getting the babe.

So you were the one. I remember that post. I must give you your props, because that is what prompted me to look for it on Ebay. I agree with you about the graphics. They are very cool. The water region of Okasankaar is positively stunning. I also know what you mean about the ending. What I thought was the next-to-last battle was actually the final batle. And then a long cutscene. :( Still a fun game.

An interesteing tidbit. Before Appeal went bankrupt, they were working on Outcast 2 around 2001-2002. The game was going to be cross-platform for the pc and the PS2, and was to be a pure action game. Sound familiar? DE:IW, Thief 3? I'm sorry there won't be an Outcast 2, but I'm glad this console abomination wasn't made either.

[Suicides-by-Steve]

I'm not into interactive movies.

No, you're not really misjudging it- it plays alot like an interactive book or movie for certain- not as much as Syberia- but it's definitely for the story-driven crowds. The action is pretty fast moving, and the puzzles are logical and plentiful, and my only gripe about the long-windedness of the plot would have to be when you meet the bird-folk... My god that was painful to sit through- everything else though was prime. For 15 bucks you can't go too wrong.

[DBS]

For that money TLJ is a steal. You might be surprised as it does suck you into the story. I was pleasently surprised not being an avid adventure gamer I was converted with this game. It is one I actually finished !!!!!!!!!! ( That is saying alot for me as I have a low patience level really....pathetic but true)

[Aku]

Yes, I think I will have to pick it up. I've never been much of an adventure gamer either, and my goal this year has been to play some adventure games. So far I've finished Outcast, Project Eden, and Grim Fandango. I'll finish it off with TLJ. Last year my goal was to do all of Baldur's Gate. I like giving myself game goals.

[Suicides-by-Steve]

I dunno Aku- you may just be hooked on Morrowind... too much so to bother with TLJ.

[matthewcraig]

Did anyone else have problems with the Outcast game crashing at different parts? There were spots where if I stepped in one place, the game crashed. It happened more and more often, eventually, the path was so narrow (lava I think) that it was not possible to move through without the game crashing. I was so, so mad because I really loved the world it displayed. If they had just not skimped on the QA work, then it would have been such a good game. Still makes me mad thinking about it.


Ah, well, at least we have FarCry now which is probably one of the best games ever. :)

[Suicides-by-Steve]

I kept getting crashes because of the Voxel-based graphics not liking Creative products or something like that. I think it crashed everytime I used the binoculars.

[Aku]

Did anyone else have problems with the Outcast game crashing at different parts? There were spots where if I stepped in one place, the game crashed. It happened more and more often, eventually, the path was so narrow (lava I think) that it was not possible to move through without the game crashing. I was so, so mad because I really loved the world it displayed. If they had just not skimped on the QA work, then it would have been such a good game. Still makes me mad thinking about it.

The only time I got CTDs in Outcast was a couple of times in the forest region. It would happen when rapid-firing my gun. It happened once when fighting this big monster, and a couple of times when I was taking shots at the birds flying above the bridge. Those are the only times it ever crashed. The game never crashed when I used the binoculars. I couldn't even load the game when EAX was enabled, so I left EAX turned off and it was fine. Occasionally, the game would start sans the soundtrack, but I could restart it to get the music back.