Outcast is an action-adventure game developed by Belgian studio Appeal and originally released in 1999. It follows the story of Cutter Slade, a former U.S. Navy SEAL sent into a parallel alien world called Adelpha after a scientific experiment goes wrong. The game was praised for its ambitious open-world design, cinematic storytelling, and innovative use of voxel-based graphics, which allowed for a detailed and immersive environment even before 3D accelerators became standard.

Adelpha is a richly crafted world inhabited by a peaceful race known as the Talan. Cutter must navigate its diverse regions—from lush forests to snowy mountains—while searching for pieces of a damaged probe that threatens both worlds. Along the way, he builds relationships with the local people, who begin to see him as the prophesied Ulukai, a messianic figure destined to free them from oppression.

Outcast was ahead of its time in terms of gameplay design. It featured non-linear exploration, a living world with dynamic NPCs, and a strong emphasis on player choice. Combat was also engaging, with a third-person perspective and various futuristic weapons that could be upgraded or customized.

Though it didn’t achieve major commercial success at launch, Outcast became a cult classic over time. Its legacy endured through fan support, eventually leading to a remake, Outcast – Second Contact, released in 2017, and a sequel, Outcast: A New Beginning, announced later. The game remains a landmark in early open-world design and storytelling in video games.

Price: £10

Add to cart