Outcast – Second Contact

Jumping mechanics like the old Tomb Raider games had me pulling my hair out but Outcast is alright other that that. Outcast is a remaster that maintains the feeling of the original version, driven by a good narrative structure that puts the player in a big world populated by different alien races that give a lot of different quests. Instead the gameplay is old and unfriendly and graphics that dont hold up.

I didn't know this game, so I wondered a little bit about the 90'-ies -touch in the gameplay. As common back then the gameplay is a kind of slow and not without a challenge. The game has a strong story and is very atmospheric. The diologues are very charming and humorous.
The combat is kind of simple but feels fluent. The movements are clunky - you need patiance for this kind of game. For me the story was amazing and after I started playing I was looking forward to continue after work every day. I really enjoyed playing this game and do recommend it.

Second contact:
It captured te core essence of the original. So I can recommend it for people who experienced it already and new players alike.
+Improved graphics
+Improved movement speed
+UI and map
+Fixed some animations, but
-That also removed some of the charm.
-Uglier talan. They made them look less alien. Kroax is probably the worst. From menacing cool they turned him into goofy lame.
-Save speed damages the mechanics of this gameplay function.
-Translations in the subtitles is not based on exploration.
-Items are harder to see because they stand out less in the improved graphics and the foliage.
My Outcast 1.1 review:
It's hard to give a fair review of this title.
This game had been a favorite of mine as a kid. I'll do my best to assess it without bias and fanboying too hard.
I'll start with the bad: It's dated, undoubtedly.
Looks old (It used to look great for it's time, and this is probably the nostalgia speaking but I think it still looks great),
The voice acting is old(there are only a few actors for way too many characters, the recording quality isn't the best, but the acting isn't that bad),
The animations are old.
The combat is a bit horrible in the beginning. Enemies are massive bullet sponges. you'd think 500 rounds is a lot, until you encounter your first pack of dogs and used up 200 on 5 enemies. This gets better once you upgaded your weaponsand progressed some quests. I suggest not engaging when you don't have to early on.
But is it worth a play? Absolutely.
This is an advnture rpg at it's core, and it's main two focus are the exploration and the dialogue.
It's is a cartoonish simple story, but a well written one. It is two-fold: You are a soldier, who's sent to another world to get a mcguffin to save Earth. And in Adelpha you are the chosen one, that has to recover 5 mcguffins, overthrow an evil ruler and free it's people. And this may sound bland but it's anything but. Getting the 5 quest items is the goal in each zone, and they are all pretty well done. And the twist about the evil ruler is quite cool as well.
It's relatively short you can finish it in a single afternoon if you skipped all dialogue, but that is one half of the game. the characters are charming. There's some cheesy funny humor. and the world building is excellent.
Exploration is the other heart of the game, you are on an alien planet, so you need to learn everything. And instead of someone exposition dumping on you, it's organic. You talk with someone, they say a word you don't understand, then you can ask about that foreign word, they explain, you get a Lexicon entry, and gain knowledge about the world's culture, history, flora and fauna, and locale as a player. One of the best world building systems a game can have.
The world of Adelpha is a place I always found wonderous. I loved to explore the zones, they are all unique. You start in a snowy mountain, then Rice field, A central city in a desert, A forest/jungle, an island in the middle of a vast ocean. All connected via portals. It really feels like you are exploring an entire world.
All of them have their own sub-plots and it's tied to getting your quest item of the zone, and it's always an adventure to do them.
The soundtrack is so great, I remember it clearly after 27 years and it is brilliant. It's hauntingly beautiful, it's majestic, and gives a sense of mystery. Hearing it, I am immediately being pulled back into a nostalgic state of awe and wonder. Not many modern games excite me as much as revisiting this cherised old title.
Gameplay is a bit dated as of today's standards, but not bad in the slightest. And I find even the jank to be endearing.
You have all sorts of useful gadgets to help you get around, or gain an edge over the enemies. There are explosives that can be used in combat as well as to open up new paths, or open loot containers. It's a bit slower paced, but that's why you have to be a bit strategic about engaging enemies. It has an unconventional way of saving progress via an in game item, and it takes a little time to save, so you can't just save-scum in the middle of combat.
The early combat might be bad but you get some cool weapons and once you've upgraded them and have plenty of ammo you are a real force to be reconed with. So the feeling of progression is really there.
I think this game wold really benefit from a remake. Second contact is a step to the right direction (and sometimes a step backwards) But a proper remake could give this title the attention it deserves. Because it's core is already a masterpiece.
"Should I play 1.1 or the Second contact?"
Yes.
No, really it's up to you. If you played it way back then, I'd recommend 1.1
If you are not old enough to drink, and you think it looks way too old, then play Second contact.
Or even both back to back like I did If you are a massive fan.

I played this game when I was a boy. Couldn't win it back then, wasn't ready. Now I bought it and won it. I needed that.
Great game, especially for its time. This remade version (higher graphics) made it playable. I wouldn't have played the game with classic graphics. So big thanks to the re-creator ;)
I feel like I broke through something. Will help me in in real life.

Only got this because Funhaus played it for their demo disk series back in the day.

Outcast - Second Contact is a remastered version of the cult classic action-adventure game originally released in 1999. Developed by Appeal Studios, this updated edition seeks to preserve the charm and innovation of the original while bringing the experience into the modern era with improved visuals, enhanced audio, and refined gameplay mechanics. For fans of open-world exploration, rich storytelling, and classic sci-fi settings, Outcast - Second Contact offers a fascinating glimpse into a game that was ahead of its time, albeit with some rough edges that may affect the experience for new players.
The story follows Cutter Slade, a former Navy operative sent on a mission to a distant, alien world called Adelpha to prevent a catastrophic dimensional rift threatening Earth. The narrative blends science fiction with elements of exploration and diplomacy, as Cutter navigates a richly detailed and mysterious planet inhabited by various indigenous tribes and strange creatures. The plot unfolds gradually, with a mix of action, exploration, and puzzle-solving that encourages players to engage deeply with the world and its inhabitants. What stands out is the game’s commitment to creating a living, breathing world where player choices and interactions influence how the story progresses, adding a layer of depth and immersion.
Gameplay in Outcast - Second Contact centers around open-world exploration and mission-based objectives. Players are free to roam the diverse environments of Adelpha, from lush forests and towering mountains to ancient ruins and bustling alien villages. The game combines third-person shooting with puzzle-solving and NPC interaction, offering a varied gameplay experience. Combat feels somewhat dated compared to modern standards, but it remains engaging thanks to the variety of enemies and tactical options available. Exploration is rewarding, with hidden secrets, side quests, and lore scattered throughout the world, inviting players to take their time and fully absorb the environment.
Visually, the remaster improves significantly on the original, updating character models, textures, and environments to meet contemporary expectations while retaining the distinct artistic style that defines the game. The world of Adelpha is brought to life with vibrant colors and detailed landscapes, making exploration a visually pleasing experience. However, despite these upgrades, some elements—particularly animations and facial expressions—can still feel stiff or outdated, which may pull players out of the immersion occasionally. The remaster does an admirable job preserving the original’s atmosphere, though, maintaining the alien world’s unique blend of wonder and danger.
The audio design is similarly enhanced, with a remastered soundtrack and improved sound effects that enrich the sense of place and tension. Voice acting remains a mixed bag; while some performances convey emotion effectively, others can feel wooden or overly dramatic, reflecting the original’s late-90s production values. Nonetheless, the audio work overall supports the narrative and gameplay well, particularly the ambient sounds of the alien wilderness and the evocative musical themes.
One of the strengths of Outcast - Second Contact lies in its world-building and the depth of interaction with the native Adelphian tribes. Players must learn local languages, understand cultural nuances, and engage in diplomacy, which adds layers of complexity and immersion uncommon in many action-adventure titles. This interaction influences story outcomes and mission success, encouraging thoughtful engagement rather than brute force solutions alone.
Despite its many merits, Outcast - Second Contact does present challenges. The game’s mechanics, while faithful to the original, can feel clunky or unintuitive to modern gamers accustomed to streamlined controls and polished interfaces. Some quests may require significant backtracking, and the absence of a clear waypoint system can lead to confusion. Additionally, bugs and performance issues occasionally mar the experience, particularly on certain hardware configurations, which can be frustrating.
In conclusion, Outcast - Second Contact is a fascinating blend of old-school design and modern enhancements, offering a richly detailed sci-fi world filled with exploration, intrigue, and cultural depth. It’s a title that will appeal most to players with a fondness for classic adventure games or those interested in experiencing a unique story-driven open world from a bygone era. While some aspects feel dated and the game’s pacing and mechanics may challenge newcomers, the remaster preserves the original’s spirit and expands its accessibility, making it a worthwhile experience for those willing to embrace its quirks and immerse themselves in the mysterious world of Adelpha.
Rating: 8/10

Outcast is a 3D, non-linear, action-adventure game, released in 1999. At the time it was totally amazing, even with its kinda ugly voxel graphics. It's important to know what you're getting with Second Contact. This is very much a remaster, not a remake. The graphics aren't as chunky, and there are some very welcome quality of life changes, but at its core, this is a 26 year old game. The spoken dialog has been cleaned up, but it's a bit scratchy, due to the original recording quality. The UX is vastly improved, but it's still pretty clunky, as is a lot of the gameplay. And some of the story elements (particularly how it treats its solitary female character) haven't aged very well. At least that gorgeous, fully orchestrated score sounds as good as ever (it was redbook/CD audio before, so nothing really needed there!).
But if you can look its flaws, this game was amazing in '99, and it's still a lot of fun. My only real complaint (other than this being a fairly modest remaster) is that the replacement cut-scenes are not an improvement at all. I get that the old files were probably 320x240, and would look absolutely awful on a modern screen, but the replacement isn't much better, even if it is in the proper resolution.
So yeah. Great game. A little rough around the edges, but well worth playing. And if you really, want to see what the voxel version looked like, check out Outcast 1.1, also available on Steam. It's too bad the two versions aren't save compatible, but at least it's still there.