
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

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

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
Games like this
71N.O.V.A. 3
2012 · Android, BlackBerry 10 +4
Shooter · Aliens

Captain Quazar
1996 · 3DO, 3DO Interactive Multiplayer +1
Shooter · Third-person shooter
70Aliens: Fireteam Elite
2021 · Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 +4
Shooter · Third-person shooter
59Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection
2024 · Bundle · Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 +4
Shooter · Aliens
79Project-X
1992 · Amiga, Amiga CD32 +2
Science · Shooter
50Kreed
2003 · Windows
Shooter · Aliens
70Metal Black
1996 · Arcade, Nintendo Switch +1
Shooter · Aliens
PlayStation exclusive80NanoTek Warrior
1997 · PlayStation
Shooter · Spaceship
Collections1 collection
Genres
Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.