Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster PC Review
Summary: The classic western FPS is back for old and new audiences alike.
3.9
Old Outlaws
Certain games stand out from the crowd, either as trailblazers creating new gaming mechanics or visuals, or sometimes just taking a well-used game style and putting their own spin on it. In a world of Wolfenstein and Doom, LucasArts brought Outlaws to life. Taking the popular FPS game and giving it a western spin was enough to make it stand out… but add to that the cinematics, the soundtrack, and the taunts from your enemies, and it really cemented itself in fans’ hearts as a standout game.
Now, decades later, Nightdive Studios brings us a remastered edition with all the trimmings, boasting:
- Engaging first-person ground combat featuring five weapon types.
- Up to 4K at 120FPS visuals.
- Modern gamepad support with a new weapon wheel, rumble, and motion/gyro controls.
- 26 achievements to unlock!
- A vault filled with a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes gold nuggets.
As someone who played the original game back in the day (back when we had physical media and LucasArts put a bunch of extra stuff in the box for gamers to enjoy), it was a joy to saddle up again and head out into the Old West. Visually, the game is very familiar… the upgraded 4K visuals are a bit tricky to judge because, no doubt, the visual fidelity is improved… but the game retains its 2D items-in-a-3D-world aesthetic. By that I mean enemies, items, etc. are not true 3D models — they are 2D images that alternate depending on which angle they should face you (i.e. an enemy will either show a front-on or back-on image). This could be off-putting for some, or it could be a quaint bit of nostalgia for others.
Gameplay is, for the most part, still surprisingly engaging. Despite some levels having vast open spaces (that can look a bit repetitive thanks to limited “set décor” and landscapes)… you generally make your way around them fast enough that you will encounter an enemy or something to keep you interested and moving at a decent pace. What I had forgotten, until I encountered it again, was how horrible some maps can be when trying to find your next objective. For those who played the original Doom, you may remember the barely useful maps — essentially a wireframe representation of the world. This can get quite confusing when you have different levels and areas that intersect, as they can make it difficult to know what is what. Given the fact that a lot of the landscape looks very similar, it can also be hard to find where to go when your view looks remarkably the same wherever you are. It’s not an insurmountable issue… but it can be very frustrating (sometimes you can work out where to go by hearing the familiar “Where are ya, marshal?”).
Final Thoughts
For those of us who played Outlaws when it first came out, it’s a great treat to jump back into that world (especially without having to dust off the old CD and fiddle with compatibility modes). For those new to the game, the retro charm of the gameplay and the subject matter may be a fresh change from the standard sci-fi or World War shooter fare that tends to dominate the FPS category. Yes, there are some frustrating issues with the game… but those are simply elements we had to put up with back in the day, and the extra content provided here helps give you something to explore while your emotions cool from falling off a ledge or getting stuck figuring out where you need to go next. Worth a look for fans of the original release or for those who love a bit of retro gaming… maybe wait for a sale, but even at full price, there’s a lot here to enjoy or reminisce about.
About the Author
Chris O'Connor Father of four, husband of one and all round oddity. Gaming at home since about 1982 with a Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Moving on to the more traditional PC genre in the years that followed with the classic Jump Joe and Alley Cat. CGA, EGA, VGA and beyond PC's have been central to my gaming but I've also enjoyed consoles and hand helds along the way (who remembers the Atari Lynx?). Would have been actor/film maker, jack of many trades master of none.
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