Outer Terror
| Outer Terror | |
|---|---|
| File:OTLOGO.png | |
| Developer(s) | Salt & Pixel |
| Publisher(s) | VoxPop Games |
| Producer(s) | Marc Anthony Rodriguez, Connor Riley |
| Designer(s) | Brandon Rodriguez |
| Artist(s) | Joe Roman (Chito) |
| Engine | Construct 3 |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | April 20, 2023 |
| Genre(s) | Roguelike, Action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multi-player |
Outer Terror is a roguelike, horde shooter, bullet hell video game developed by Salt & Pixel and published by VoxPop Games.[1]
The game is structured as a pulp-horror anthology series, where each level is its own self-contained comic book styled story. It features both online and offline co-op play.[1][2]
Outer Terror was released on Microsoft Windows on April 20, 2023.[3]
Gameplay
Outer Terror's core gameplay has been described as a "bullet hell with roguelite elements." Every chapter features a different pair of playable characters, as the game was designed with co-op play in mind. Each of the 10 playable characters has a unique ability and a different starting weapon. The player can also choose to take manual aim allowing them to control the direction most weapons fire. The player can stack different weapons together for a more powerful effect, although weapons and upgrades are randomized.[1][2]
The game features both offline and online co-op.[1][2]
Development
Outer Terror was designed as a spiritual successor to one of Salt & Pixel's earlier games, "Gray Death", which was previously published on the VoxPop Games platform in 2021.[4][5]
Outer Terror was published by VoxPop Games, and it was the first original game to make use of VoxPop's middleware tools, and the first to be funded through VoxPop's Indie Fund. The version of the game available on the VoxPop Games' store will contain exclusive content.[1][6]
Outer Terror was featured as part of the MOME (Made in New York) New York State Pavilion demo booth at GDC 2023.[7]
Reception
Johanna Koziol of Screen Rant criticized Outer Terror for its lack of quality-of-life features, but praised the game's core gameplay loop, tone, and characters, saying "Outer Terror's unique horror spin on the rouge-lite genre makes it a breath of fresh air.".[8]
Thomas Wilde of Bloody Disgusting praised Outer Terror's retro comic book aesthetic and co-op features, but referred to the game as "consistently under baked," and criticized the game for its early release glitches and animation errors.[9]
The New York Video Game Critic's Circle (NYVGCC) gave the title praise and wrote "Outer Terror is not the sort of game that will hold your hand and guide you step by step. There is no going back once you accept, which is part of the thrill.
This game is entertaining and imaginative, and the narrative and the natural world are absolutely original."[10]
Outer Terror for PC stands at a 73 overall Metacritic score as of June 2023.[11]
Outer Terror is set for home console release on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox X/S, and Nintendo Switch on April 12th, 2024[12][13]
References
- ^ a b c d e LeBlanc, Wesley. "Outer Terror, An Arcade Bullet Hell Homage To B-Movie Horror, Hits PC Soon". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 2022-12-06.
- ^ a b c LeBlanc, Wesley. "Outer Terror Is Like Vampire Survivors Meets Pulp Action Horror | New Gameplay Today". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22.
- ^ "Outer Terror - Official Release Date Trailer - IGN". March 28, 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-04-18 – via www.ign.com.
- ^ Long, Bill. "VoxPop Games". www.thecgview.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-18.
- ^ "GorePlay: Retro Gaming Is Deadly In New Transmedia Experience Sitra Achra". FANGORIA. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17.
- ^ "VoxPop Games forms indie game fund and adds ex-Rockstar veteran as adviser". September 19, 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08.
- ^ "Get Ahead of the Game! Join New York State's Pavilion for the 2023 Game Developers Conference | Empire State Development". esd.ny.gov. 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
- ^ Koziol, Joanna (April 20, 2023). "Outer Terror Review: Frightening, Frustrating Fun". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 2023-04-27.
- ^ Wilde, Thomas (May 1, 2023). "How 'Outer Terror' Takes Bullet Heaven to Bullet Hell [Review]". Archived from the original on 2023-05-03.
- ^ "The Insight: This Horror-Oriented Horde Shooter Gave Khloe A Whole Lot Of Outer Terror". 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
- ^ "Outer Terror". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
- ^ Comments, Gavin Sheehan | (2024-03-26). "Horror Game Outer Terror Comes To Consoles In Mid-April". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ Wilson, Mike (2024-03-27). "Lovecraftian Horde Shooter 'Outer Terror' Heads to Consoles April 12 [Trailer]". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2024-03-27.