Outland (video game)

Outland

Developer(s)| Housemarque
Publisher(s)| Ubisoft
Composer(s)| Ari Pulkkinen[1]
Platform(s)| Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
Genre(s)| Platform, Metroidvania[2]
Mode(s)| Single-player, multiplayer

Outland is a platform game developed by Housemarque and published by Ubisoft.[3] The game combines two-dimensional platforming with a polarity system similar to Treasure's Ikaruga[4] and Silhouette Mirage. Outland was released on April 27, 2011 for Xbox 360.[5] The PlayStation 3 version, which was supposed to be released the day before, was delayed because of the 2011 PlayStation Network outage then later released in June 2011. A Microsoft Windows version was released on September 29, 2014, followed by the Mac OS X version on December 21 of the same year, and the Linux version on February 25, 2015. The game was removed from sale on Steam and the Humble Store in December 2018 but has since been added back to Steam.[6]

## Contents

* 1 Gameplay
* 2 Plot
* 3 Reception
* 4 References
* 5 External links
* 6 Features
* 7 History
* 8 See also
* 9 References
* 10 External links

## Gameplay

Outland is a 2D platformer with action game elements. Gameplay mainly revolves around using Light (blue) and Dark (red) energies, which allows the player to pass through their respective barriers, and attack monsters born of the opposite alignment (e.g. use Light to attack Dark monsters).

Along the way, players learn special powers from large shrines, from simple melee attacks to the harnessing of Light and Dark energy. Players can also collect hidden objects called "Masks of the Gods" in order to unlock extras such as concept art or enhanced in-game abilities.

Players also have an option to experience the entire storyline online with a friend in co-operative mode. There are also co-op challenges scattered throughout the world that can be unlocked and played when in co-op mode.

In addition to the main storyline, there is an Arcade Mode that puts the player to the test by putting a set time for the player to traverse throughout an entire region and defeat its protector. For example, in the Jungle's Arcade Mode, the player has 15 minutes to travel throughout the entire Jungle and defeat the Golem in the end. The highest scores are posted online on a leaderboard. Flipping a switch, pausing the game, and dying halt the timer. Arcade scores increase with multipliers that drop from enemies, and a bonus is given depending on how much time is left after the protector is defeated. An Arcade chapter for one area is unlocked as soon as the area itself is unlocked.

## Plot

In the present day, one man had started to experience dreams and visions of the past. A shaman told the man of a battle 30,000 years ago between a great hero and the two Sisters of Chaos—one who controls Light from the Sun, and one who controls Darkness from the Moon. The Sisters were imprisoned after the battle, but the hero had perished in the process. The shaman informed the man that he was the hero's reincarnation, that the Sisters of Chaos have apparently escaped their imprisonment, and that he was the only one who could stop them.

The man encounters a large shrine at the Crossroads of the World where he experiences one last vision of the past. The player controls the hero from 30,000 years ago as he makes his way through the destruction of the world to defeat the Sisters at the Temple of Eternity. The vision terminates before the fight as the narrator describes the result. Back in the present day, the man explores four areas branching from the Crossroads: the Jungle, the Underworld, the City, and the Sky. Each area is populated by a variety of creatures born from Light, Dark, or neutral energies, as well as one large protector that has been corrupted by Chaos. After defeating a protector, a rune depicting it is activated in the Crossroads shrine, triggering a short speech from the narrator about the protector and their corruption. When all four protectors are defeated and four of the five runes have been activated, the shrine teleports the man to the Temple of Eternity.

After traversing the Temple, the man meets the Sisters, who have been waiting to break free from their imprisonment to "uncreate" the world and return it to Chaos. In the ensuing battle, the man defeats the Sisters and prepares to deal the final blow when the Temple collapses. The Sisters are awestruck by the beauty and tranquility of the world, a product of both time and mankind's efforts. The Sisters humbly surrender to the man and retreat, one to the Sun and one to the Moon. The spirit of the ancient hero escapes from the man's body as their work is complete.

## Reception

Reception

| Review scores

Publication| Score
PC| PS3| Xbox 360
Edge| N/A| N/A| 7/10[7]
Eurogamer| N/A| N/A| 8/10[8]
Game Informer| N/A| N/A| 9/10[9]
GamePro| N/A| N/A| [10]
GameRevolution| N/A| N/A| A−[11]
GameSpot| N/A| 9/10[12]| 9/10[13]
GameTrailers| N/A| N/A| 8.3/10[14]
GameZone| N/A| 8/10[15]| N/A
Giant Bomb| N/A| [16]| [16]
IGN| N/A| 9/10[17]| 9/10[18]
Joystiq| N/A| N/A| [19]
OXM (US)| N/A| N/A| 8/10[20]
PSM| N/A| 8/10[21]| N/A
The Daily Telegraph| N/A| N/A| 8/10[22]
Aggregate score
Metacritic| 79/100[23]| 83/100[24]| 84/100[25]
| Awards

Publication| Award
IGN| 2011 Editors Choice[26]
Eurogamer| Game of the Week[27]
FIGMA| Finnish Game of the Year 2012[28]

The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[23][24][25]

Tom McShea of GameSpot called the game an "expertly crafted platformer." The reviewer praised the game's visual style, music, and co-op.[12][13] IGN also called it "a hell of a game, and you should play it posthaste."[17][18]

The Escapist gave the Xbox 360 version a score of four stars out of five and said that it "will put your skills to the test, but strikes a pleasant balance between frustration and triumph. It's not the easiest game in the world, but the effort it takes to master is well worth it."[29] The Daily Telegraph similarly gave it a score of eight out of ten and called it "a game which is fun to play simply for the joy of playing, and when you throw in the ability to play through the story with a second person, along with some additional challenge areas designed exclusively for co-op play, Outland is [a] highly appealing, highly enjoyable downloadable title."[22] The A.V. Club gave it a B and stated, "Boss battles are another highlight, a great example being a robed figure who can unpredictably cause colored rubble to come whizzing by from any direction."[30] Wired gave the PlayStation 3 version a score of eight stars out of ten in its early review and called it "a tumultuous blend of Prince of Persia-style jumping action and the "bullet hell" of insane shooters like Ikaruga. It's complex, difficult and a lot of fun."[31]

Outland was awarded as "Best PSN Game of 2011" by IGN[32] and "Best Download-only Console Game 2011" by GameSpot.[33]

## References

1. ↑ GamePro staff (September 3, 2010). "Ubisoft announces action-adventure Outland". GamePro (GamePro Media). http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/216376/ubisoft-announces-action-adventure-outland/. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
2. ↑ Mark Brown (May 15, 2015). "The 14 best Metroidvania games on Steam". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/065400/the-14-best-metroidvania-games-on-steam/. ""You'll be swapping between red and blue to make platforms appear, obstacles disappear, and to fight enemies and solve puzzles. All within that classic Metroidvania structure.""
3. ↑ Justin McElroy (September 4, 2010). "Outland preview: When shmups grow legs". Oath Inc.. https://www.engadget.com/2010/09/04/outland-preview-when-shmups-grow-legs/.
4. ↑ Shaun McInnis (September 4, 2010). "Outland First Look". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/outland-first-look/1100-6275278/.
5. ↑ Brad Nicholson (September 3, 2010). "Ubisoft's Outland To Combine Darkness, Traps, And Platforming". CBS Interactive. https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/ubisofts-outland-to-combine-darkness-traps-and-pla/1100-2516/.
6. ↑ @Housemarque (December 18, 2018). "Calling out to all platformer and action game fans!! Tomorrow is your last chance to get Outland from Steam or Humble Bundle!". https://twitter.com/Housemarque/status/1075034720679931905.
7. ↑ Edge staff (April 27, 2011). "Outland Review (X360)". Edge (Future plc). http://www.next-gen.biz/features/outland-review. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
8. ↑ Christian Donlan (April 26, 2011). "Outland (Xbox 360)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-04-26-outland-review.
9. ↑ Matt Miller (April 27, 2011). "Outland (X360): Outland Offers A Clever Twist On A Familiar Genre". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/outland/b/xbox360/archive/2011/04/27/outland-offers-a-clever-twist-on-a-familiar-genre.aspx.
10. ↑ Steve Haske (April 27, 2011). "Review: Outland (360)". GamePro (GamePro Media). http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/219068/review-outland/. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
11. ↑ Daniel R. Bischoff (May 9, 2011). "Outland Review (X360)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/51347-outland-review.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Tom McShea (June 22, 2011). "Outland Review (PS3)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/outland-review/1900-6320735/.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Tom McShea (April 28, 2011). "Outland Review (X360)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/outland-review/1900-6310590/.
14. ↑ "Outland Review (X360)". Viacom. May 2, 2011. http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=13928.
15. ↑ David Sanchez (July 24, 2011). "Outland Review (PS3)". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/outland/.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Brad Shoemaker (May 4, 2011). "Outland Review (PS3N, XBGS)". CBS Interactive. https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/outland-review/1900-378/.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Colin Moriarty (June 14, 2011). "Outland Review (PS3)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/14/outland-review.
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Colin Moriarty (April 28, 2011). "Outland Review (X360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/04/29/outland-review-2.
19. ↑ Ludwig Kietzmann (April 27, 2011). "Outland review: Will and grace". Oath Inc.. https://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/outland-review/.
20. ↑ Andrew Hayward (July 2011). "Outland review". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 79. http://www.oxmonline.com/outland-review. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
21. ↑ "Review: Outland". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (47): 86. July 2011.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Ashton Raze (May 6, 2011). "Outland review (X360)". The Daily Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8495165/Outland-review.html.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Outland for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/outland/critic-reviews/?platform=pc.
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Outland for PlayStation 3 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/outland/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3.
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Outland for Xbox 360 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/outland/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360.
26. ↑ "Outland - Xbox 360". Ziff Davis. http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/085/085173.html.
27. ↑ Oli Welsh (April 29, 2011). "Game of the Week: Outland". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-04-29-game-of-the-week-outland-article.
28. ↑ "Skyrim ja viime vuoden muu parhaimmisto palkittiin Finnish Game Awards -peligaalassa" (in fi). February 17, 2012. http://figma.fi/index.php/tiedotteet/144-skyrim-ja-viime-vuoden-muu-parhaimmisto-palkittiin-finnish-game-awards-peligaalassa.
29. ↑ Susan Arendt (May 11, 2011). "Outland Review (X360)". Defy Media. https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/8863-Outland-Review.
30. ↑ David Wolinsky (May 2, 2011). "Outland (X360)". The Onion. https://games.avclub.com/outland-1798225318.
31. ↑ Jason Schreier (April 27, 2011). "Review: Leaping Through Outland's Pretty Bullet Hell (PS3)". Wired (Condé Nast). https://www.wired.com/2011/04/outland-review/. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
32. ↑ Colin Moriarty (December 20, 2011). "The Best PSN Games of 2011 (Page 2)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/21/the-best-psn-games-of-2011?page=2.
33. ↑ "The Best of 2011 Special Achievements: Best Download-only Console Game". CBS Interactive. http://us.gamespot.com/best-of-2011-special/awards/index.html?page=8.

## External links

* MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

## Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

## History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

## See also

* IGDB - game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/.
2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/.
3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1.
4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521.
8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media.
9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned.
10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner.
11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames.
12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games.
13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/.
14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/.
15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/.
16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/.
17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames.
18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628.

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