Outbound Review (Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Switch & PC)

Outbound brings a dream to fruition — to depart from society, to unshackle the knots bound to corporate consumerism, and to live as an equal out in the wild where nothing can prevent tranquil economics from birthing a peaceful climate. And in a camper van, it highlights these tender dreams in an even brighter light. The open road; the warmth of the sun beating down on the back of your neck; and a troupe of friends who each share the same ideologies. Oh, Outbound builds on a daydream that most of us have experienced at some point or another. The thing is, it feels a little too enticing.

Outbound isn’t an ego-waxing ordeal, nor is it an opportunity for competitive players to swagger their weight around and proudly showcase their greatest achievements. It isn’t about being the better nomad; it’s about being one with the world and, above all, an equal who can see the world for what it is: an idyllic playground—a flourishing biome in which formal boundaries cease to exist. I suppose, if anything, it’s about enjoying the little things—the quaint countryside; the brief spells of camaraderie; the small upgrades that you make to your home; and the crowning touches that you occasionally marvel at as the sun sinks beyond the farthest hill.

If you’re looking for a rigorous road trip adventure similar to the likes of RV There Yet?, then you might want to wrangle your friends and slump them elsewhere. Outbound, unlike your typical community-driven multiplayer escapade, isn’t about tackling environmental challenges or figuring out how to fend off unpredictable climate changes. Heck, it isn’t even about learning how to survive off grid. Rather, it’s about bathing in the idyllic qualities of nature as a team. Of course, you don’t need to bring three friends along to enjoy this ride, but doing so will give you a greater sense of communal harmony.

It all begins with a camper van, an open road, and a selection of natural biomes, all of which host their own distinct resources, features, and panoramic goodies. As one of four players, it falls to you to branch out and experience life away from the hustle and bustle that befall most towering megastructures. With a treasure trove of building blocks to unlock, camper van upgrades to implement, and a series of agricultural exploits to discover, you, along with your team, are given the chance to transform a small electrical cubby into a rolling haven—a place that can house botanical annexes, shady lookout points, and even a hidey hole for pets of all shapes and sizes.

As you gradually progress through Outbound, you earn the right of passage to a plethora of vehicular modules and improvements. For instance, once you explore a biome—an act that requires you to get behind the wheel and drive to various camping spots on the map—you earn resources and all sorts of materials, with which you can use to craft various decorations, modular wings, and even new coats of paint for the camper van exterior. And, to be honest, that’s all that you’re doing here: collecting, crafting, and establishing a home away from home on wheels.

Outbound is as equally adorable as it is cozy, and in no way is it designed with the intent to test your patience, your driving, or your survival skills. True to the nature of off-grid living, it strives to deliver an inviting experience that can quite easily poach your time and leave you wanting more of its natural wonder. It isn’t a stressful game, and it certainly isn’t one that will get the cogs in your head churning, for that matter. It’s textbook foraging, really — but with friends.

Suffice it to say that, with Outbound being the slow game that it is, fans of Mad Max-like road trips are less likely to enjoy the snail-like progression here. With little to no major twists or turns, enemies or puzzles to overcome, the odds of finding a challenge here are, well, unsurprisingly slim. However, for those who enjoy the sweet and cozy embelishments—the vibrant aesthetic, the wholesome nature, and the brilliantly charming animations, for example—it immediately begins to feel like a no brainer. Sure, it might lack a traditional challenge, but sometimes, a lack of competition is a sight for sore eyes, and Outbound does a remarkable job of illuminating that.

With a generously sized map and a ton of landmarks to weigh anchor to and from, Outbound ought to give you plenty to sink your electrical teeth into. Upgrades and modular parts, too, as plentiful and as customizable as they are, should present you with enough variety to help you experiment for hours, maybe even more. And as for everything else—the tender moments between fledgling travelers; the scooting around between locations; and the fluffy companions that aid you on your journey, for example—well, let’s just say that there’s more than enough here to satisfy your soul.

It goes without saying at this point, but if games like Camper Van: Make it Home are to your liking, then you’ll more than likely get a kick out of souping up this solar-powered vehicle. Again, while it might not boast a wide array of obstacles for you to overcome, it does, however, frequently require you to ponder the big questions. For example, how can you juggle water, light, and the elements to power your camper van? Do you need mushrooms to rustle up a hearty banquet for your fellow campers? Granted, neither of these questions come with difficult answers. Though, Outbound does occasionally task you with maintaining your camper van — but not to the point where you need to retain a strict schedule to prevent it from collapsing at the first sight of asphalt. No, thankfully, it’s a little less demanding. Phew.

Verdict

Outbound capitalizes on the ideologies of peace and tranquility with a simple yet oh-so-wholesome off-grid co-op experience that comes across as both lovable and immensely satisfying. With a firm grip on what makes a road trip all the more attractive to the big-city dweller, Square Glade Games comes through with a brilliant love letter to harmonic living and communal spirit. Again, it might not appeal to everyone, particularly those who favor challenging exploits and environmental curveballs and what have you. The being said, for the target demographic—the folk who enjoy simple pleasures and incremental foraging affairs with serene backdrops—Outbound ought to feel like a perfect spot to wipe your feet.