Ludography
More scores
Metacritic usersuser score
80/100
GameFAQsJust Right-Tough
3.27/5
Player reviews
83% positive31 reviews
Runs on
Windows
Price
US$5.99

Where to get it

Outwars cover

1998 · SingleTrac · Action · Science

Outwars

Outwars is a science fiction third-person shooter developed by SingleTrac and published by Microsoft in 1998.

Released
1998
Platforms
Windows
Genres
ActionScienceShooterThird-person shooter
Developers
SingleTrac
Publishers
Microsoft
Modes
MultiplayerSingle-player
Perspective
Third person
Themes
ActionScience fiction
Country
United States
Age ratings
ESRB T
Languages
English
Time to beat
8hmain story9hcompletionist

About

Outwars is a military science fiction selectable perspective tactical shooter developed by SingleTrac and published by Microsoft in 1998. The plot travels to many different planets and settings.

Players say

Media

Outwars screenshot 1

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

In single-player mode, wearing a choice of rocket propelled powered armors (Light Scout, Medium Combat, Heavy Assault, or Heavy Dreadnaut), the player controls a heavily armed, male or female member of the elite CDF Marine Jump Corps and must battle insectoid aliens (occasionally referred to as "The Skulls") intent on taking over the galaxy. Gameplay is mission-based, and the player may customize their suit of powered armour with different weapons and equipment at the beginning of each mission. The player may also issue orders to a small team of computer-controlled squadmates. Weapons and gear are gradually unlocked as play progresses, like the glider-wing which attaches to the rocket pack and permits extended aerial maneuvers when it is deployed.

The game also features an 8-player multiplayer mode allowing players to compete with and against one another in the modes: Free for All, Assassin, Smear the cyborg, Team War, Team Mission, and Capture the flag. Direct3D and Internet Gaming Zone were supported for online play.

Story

Mikhal's World is under attack by "The Skulls". It has become overrun, and the humans are ordering an emergency evacuation. The player has two minutes to reach an escape ship or be left behind. After this, the player is dropped onto Planet Oasis and begins training. But while target training is underway, "The Skulls" attack, forcing an immediate evacuation from the area.

War has broken out all over Oasis, with the humans losing badly. The player's team is sent to grab all supplies from Oasis (in a return to the jump training mission) and prepare the jumpship for evacuation. Eventually, a total evacuation is ordered on Oasis, but the player must retrieve 'special technology' from the now abandoned military base on Oasis before leaving. Right after the player escapes, Oasis is annihilated by some form of alien technology, and, in Hackett's words, "Have turned it into some kind of planet from hell".

Development

Outwars was SingleTrac's first project for a platform other than the PlayStation. Though SingleTrac was purchased by GT Interactive in 1997, it was already under contract to develop Outwars for Microsoft.

Reception

Pelit scored the game 90 out of 100 and summarized, "Don't let the bad graphics distract you from the excellent game underneath."

Next Generation gave a negative review of the game, citing severe technical issues; from clipping to AI that add up to an overall bad experience.

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

PlatformReleasedRegions
Windows17 April 1998North America · Europe 5 June 1998

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Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.