Outward 2: Embrace Uncertainty in the Wilderness

In the thrilling world of Outward 2, my journey kicks off with a seemingly straightforward task: find a medicinal flower in the wilderness west of the city and bring it to a doctor. However, having played the first Outward, I know better than to underestimate the dangers lurking beyond the city walls. Unlike other survival games where dying means a quick respawn at home, here the stakes are much higher.

As I gear up for my adventure, my inventory consists of just a knife, a shield, some food, and a tiny backpack with a few supplies. The catch? There are no glowing markers or maps guiding me toward my objective. Instead, I’m left to explore the vast terrain and keep my eyes peeled for the elusive flower.

While wandering, I stumble upon a couple of city soldiers engaged in a spectacular showdown with a massive bird and an even larger boar. Instead of getting involved, I sit back and watch the chaos unfold. Once the dust settles and the soldiers are victorious, I seize the opportunity to loot the fallen beasts for some free goodies—no shame in letting others do the heavy lifting for now!

My quest continues as I scour the area for the flower, occasionally scavenging from the remains of animals left behind. A chance encounter with a wandering trader allows me to sell some items I’ve collected, but I resist the temptation to attack him for his impressive backpack—after all, I’m not exactly cut out for combat. Or so I think.

Eventually, I spot a fellow traveler battling one of those birds. Eager for some loot, I linger nearby, but once he finishes, he turns his attention to me. Turns out he’s not a friendly adventurer but a bandit! My heart races as I realize I’m not prepared for a real fight.

I forget to drop my backpack, which is crucial for dodging attacks, and as I wait for him to make a move, we both end up just staring at each other. My impatience gets the best of me, and I swing at him, only to miss as he gracefully dodges. He strikes back, and despite my best efforts to block and counter, I find myself overwhelmed. It’s a swift defeat, and I black out.

But fear not! In Outward 2, dying isn’t the end—it’s merely a relocation. I wake up in an unknown place, disoriented and without any idea where I am. My backpack is nowhere in sight, and as I fumble through the darkness, I run into another brigand looking for trouble. Time to run! But stamina runs out quickly, and soon enough, I’m down again.

This time, I’m saved by some considerate miners who carry me back to the city. However, the situation gets worse when I realize I’ve sustained an injury: my wrist is sprained, making it hard to hold my shield or anything else for that matter. Healing isn’t as simple as chugging a potion; I’ll need time and care to recover.

After resting, my wrist heals just enough, and I decide to venture out again to face my previous foe—armed with a flintlock pistol and a handful of bullets that I scavenged. The battle is intense, but with a bit of luck, I manage to take him down. But wait, wasn’t I on a quest for a flower?

This experience has taught me a valuable lesson: every defeat has consequences. In the original Outward, I learned to plan meticulously, setting traps and prepping for encounters. I realize now that I need to regain that cautious mindset if I want to make any progress.

As I head back toward the city, I follow a soldier on patrol, picking up loot from the animals he leaves behind. This time, I’ll let others do the fighting while I keep searching for that elusive flower. Outward 2 is all about adapting to challenges and embracing the unpredictability of the wilderness. Who knows what other surprises await on this journey?