- Publisher: Silver Lining Interactive , Silver Lining
- Release Date: May 14, 2026
- Also On: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Switch, Xbox Series X
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May 18, 2026Outbound isn't the kind of game I'd recommend to everyone interested in cozy games, as it falls short in some areas important to that audience. Fortunately, the issues I've mentioned throughout this review can be changed and improved if the developers listen to feedback from critics and, more importantly, from the fans themselves. The feeling I get is that Outbound would be a good candidate for an early access game, one that changes, evolves, and receives new features as players report their experiences.
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May 14, 2026A niche title that certain gamers are sure to love, Outbound is an enjoyable exploration title that can often become too relaxing at times.
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May 12, 2026A competent camping and survival game set in an unpopulated wilderness, whose lack of narrative structure, threat, or competitive elements leaves it feeling disappointingly hollow.
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May 12, 2026Outbound is a road trip that rewards patience over speed. Square Glade Games has built a world worth getting lost in, with a van customization system that keeps you tinkering and a presentation that always makes the next horizon look worth chasing.
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May 10, 2026Outbound is a game that, if given enough time, could be good in the future. It has a wonderful world that can be filled with things and people to interact with. A wonderful building system that can be improved with better delivery of blueprints. And a road-trip experience that can be improved with sound. Unfortunately, much like its world, right now it’s a game with a shallow gameplay loop that is difficult to stay interested in. Maybe it’s more fun with friends?
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May 8, 2026Outbound is a video game that managed to surprise us in its own way, incorporating van life into a hybrid formula capable of entertaining even those who don't particularly enjoy the genre. Crafting, resource gathering, and progression never feel overly frustrating, effectively balancing every single component and keeping it within the player's reach. The charm of this production is undeniable, but it's worth pointing out that around the midpoint of the experience (which will nonetheless last over 30 hours) and as the in-game days go by, a certain sense of repetitiveness sets in. Every single area has been designed to offer a sense of calm, with the sounds of ocean waves and rustling trees, in a dystopian future where only renewable energy is used without leaving the slightest mark on nature. However, this world feels too empty — no human presence, just us and a vast array of crafting possibilities. Fortunately, we have a wonderful little dog to keep us company, who represents the most "heartwarming" element of the entire game. Outbound is a relaxing game, an interactive holiday and a road trip that serves as an escape from the increasingly pulse-pounding frenzy of modern video games. Respect for the environment, a sense of community, and anti-consumerism — perhaps this title could even inspire us to reflect on an ever more sustainable future.
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May 8, 2026A wonderfully realised, stylised world ripe for exploration, but what you find in Outbound's vibrant wilderness rarely surprises.