Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Immersive"

The spiritual realm in Outland is one of chaos, and just as in many religious tales and accounts, an average man finds himself caught up in the conflict of gods. The Hero in Outland finds himself walking in the footsteps of an ancient hero from thirty-thousand years ago, carrying the same burden to save the universe from the very deities that once helped bring it into existence.

Preserving the universe requires more than natural human ability. The Hero slowly acquires the necessary abilities that will aid him in achieving the impossible. The game primarily revolves around the capability to alter between the Spirits of light and darkness. Similar mechanics have been utilized in video games before, such as in Ikaruga, but never has it been so well implemented into an adventure game.

All manner of beings and even inanimate objects also possess the powers of light and dark. Platforms will only operate when the Hero is the same corresponding color of the platform, and enemies can only be damaged when the Hero is the opposite color. Scattered throughout the game's worlds are bizarre, ancient cannons attached to the walls, ceilings, and floors that spew out round beads of light and dark energy. These cannons are probably more endangering because they are so frequently encountered, and are placed in a way that forces you to switch between light and dark quickly and precisely, as being touched with the opposite of what energy you are currently exhibiting will result in the Hero being damaged, and when the Hero is touched by the same energy, no damage is done.

The Hero wields a blade for battling fiends, but along the way learns some other unique combat skills such as slide kicking and ground stomping. These abilities as well as others are not only sufficient for slaying wild beasts and warriors, but also allow the Hero to access previously unreachable areas. Because of how the world in Outland is built, comparisons to Metroid have been drawn.

As in the Metroid series, exploration is encouraged, as there are hidden areas containing vases of gold coins which can be used to purchase energy and health upgrades. The game also allows you to play at a speedy pace in a more linear manner, as the next designated location is always marked on the map. Traversing Outland's wild and dangerous world is endulging and increasingly challenging. Successfully doing something as simple as jumping from one platform to the next becomes a task that requires careful timing in jumping and switching between light and dark power.

It is no surprise that the game's boss battles also revolve around the game's core concept. The bosses in Outland are several of the most engaging, challenging, and satisfying bosses in 2D gaming. The boss battles combine action and platform elements in an exciting way.

Outland is brilliant though it is quite short in length. Online co-op challenges can be unlocked, though it is disappointing that some co-op challenges were not designed for local play. There is also a time trial for each level that offers a good challenge. And of course, the game's exceptional single player campaign will most likely draw you back for another play.

The game contains something around twelve hours of total gameplay. So in essence you pay less than one-dollar per hour of gameplay-a great bargain. Outland is a wonderfully crafted, essential buy for 2D gaming fans, as it is one of the most impressive modern 2D games available, excelling in all facets.