OUTBUDDIES DX Review Summary

Rewarding exploration and enjoyable boss fights with great atmosphere are let down by clunky controls, a confusing map, and frustrating difficulty.

Extensive exploration: The game features a large map with high freedom, non-linear paths, and many secrets, promoting a strong sense of discovery and exploration. Sequence breaking is possible.

Enjoyable boss fights: Boss battles are generally considered good, interesting, and challenging, with many praising their variety and unique defeat conditions. A few exceptions like sheep and fish bosses were noted.

Good atmosphere and music: The music, sound design, and overall atmosphere are widely appreciated, contributing to an immersive experience that complements the gameplay.

Versatile drone companion: The drone companion can scan terrain, find secrets, hack enemies, and provide a strategic overview, significantly aiding exploration and combat. This is a highly praised feature based on multiple player reports.

Fair respawn system: Deaths are not punishing as players respawn at room entrances or map transition points, allowing retry of tough sections without heavy backtracking.

Clunky and awkward controls: Multiple players report that the control scheme feels bizarre, unergonomic, and counter-intuitive. The controls are described as clumsy, unfair, and unresponsive, making the game frustrating to play.

Confusing and unclear map: Players find the map to be bad, inaccurate, and barely legible, with opaque and confusing symbols that are difficult to read. The lack of zoom functionality and misleading icons further compound navigation frustration.

Excessive and frustrating difficulty: Boss fights and overall difficulty are often described as tough, frustrating, and extremely high, causing suffering and confusion. The presence of many instant death traps and gimmicks contributes to the punishing experience.

Unreliable wall jump mechanic: The wall jump is frequently criticized for being inconsistent and unreliable, with weird timing that makes it particularly annoying. This issue is noted as a specific pain point during gameplay.

Heavy and stiff platforming controls: During precise platforming sections, the controls feel heavy and stiff, making movement and jumping cumbersome. This negatively impacts the overall gameplay experience.

Metroidvania genre with retro style: The game is strongly identified as a Metroidvania with a retro aesthetic, often compared to the Metroid series. This style and genre are core to the game's identity.

Exploration and non-linear progression: Players highlight the non-linear Metroidvania exploration and ability-based progression as key features. The large map with interconnected zones encourages discovery.

Drone companion mechanics: A drone companion is used for scanning secrets, hacking, and puzzle solving. This buddy system is a central gameplay mechanic that enables exploration and interaction.

Boss fights are difficult: Boss fights, including mini-bosses, are noted for being challenging and often require trial and error or specific actions. A boss rush mode with hitless requirements is also present.

Upgrades and power-ups: Progression is driven by upgrades such as power-ups and a jetpack, which unlock new movement abilities and paths.

Steam Deck runs perfectly.: On Steam Deck, the game performs flawlessly with consistent frame rates and no crashes, aside from a single drop when the battery is low. This indicates excellent optimization for the platform.

Screen lacks smoothness.: The screen occasionally feels unsmooth, pointing to inconsistent frame pacing or frame rate issues. This disrupts the visual fluidity during gameplay.

Input lag frustrates players.: Players experience noticeable input lag, which undermines responsiveness and precision. This affects the overall playability and enjoyment of the game.

Recommend for Metroidvania fans: Many reviewers recommend the game to fans of the Metroidvania genre and especially the Metroid series. This is the most common positive sentiment across multiple clusters.

Highly recommended overall: Several reviewers give strong recommendations, calling it 'highly recommended,' 'wholeheartedly recommended,' or a 'must have' for genre fans. This shows strong positive reception.

Buy only on sale: Several reviewers suggest waiting for a sale or discount before purchasing, with some specifying it is not worth full price. This reflects mixed value perception.

Not recommended at all: A few reviewers strongly advise against buying, suggesting refunds or playing alternative games instead. This indicates niche dissatisfaction.

Similar to known games: Reviewers compare the game favorably to classics like Axiom Verge, Super Metroid, and Hollow Knight, suggesting it fits well within the genre. This helps set expectations.

Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00.

Game completion: 30.0h.

Story completion: 17.5h.

Outbuddies has a rough early game that risks losing players, but those who push through find it becomes engaging and fun by mid-game as controls and progression click.

Friction: too many controls; janky movement; lack of early guidance; level design causing non-fluid progression; tedious backtracking; instant death traps.

Unlock drivers: player adaptation to controls; mid-game upgrades enabling better movement; understanding progression mechanics.

Metroidvania Purist: Thoroughly explores, uses drone for puzzles and combat, enjoys strategic boss fights. Motivation: To explore a vast, claustrophobic world with classic Metroid-like gameplay and innovative twists. Stance: buy.

Co-op Adventurer: Controls Buddy in co-op, solves puzzles requiring two characters, switches characters on the fly. Motivation: Playing through a metroidvania with a friend using the innovative buddy system. Stance: sale.

Difficulty-Conscious Player: Cautious, avoids traps, relies on suicide mechanics to reset. Motivation: Wants to explore but is put off by difficult or unfair design choices. Stance: deep sale.

Steam Deck: User feedback indicates a positive Steam Deck experience with no technical barriers reported. The game runs smoothly and is enjoyable on the device. General control complaints exist but are not linked to Steam Deck.