I really really wanted to get into this game and was excited for it to come out. Metroidvania type games are my absolute favorites. The problem I have is with the controls. I can tell it is a superbly designed game. You regularly have have to switch to your “buddy” that follows you around from the very start to progress in the game. There was an instructional part where it tells you how. Couldn’t switch back. I thought maybe I forgot. Mashed every button and combination I can think of on the controller to make it happen. So I somehow accidentally entered it, and could only get out of that mode by using the map/item/coop menu, but can’t get back into it that way. Restarted game. Vague instruction at the tutorial (switch to buddy mode). Try again. Start mashing buttons. Get it to work but can’t repeat. Have to use menu to exit again. After 20 minutes of mashing buttons and restarting the game 3 times Its like I can randomly get it to work but can’t repeat it. I’m ready to be done with this game. How hard is it to include a controller map in the the menu, especially when you have counter intuitive controls for such an integral part of the game? Ok I finally got it to work Repeatedly. Apparently you press the left stick and press and move the right stick. You can get out of it this way also. So annoyed I’m not sure I’ll keep playing.

Outbuddies (DX) is a difficult game to rate. TLDR: It has a rather wacky start but if you push through that, you’ll be incredibly rewarded! 8/10 Played the original on PC in 2019 and now also got the DX version on the Switch. I remember when first touching the game, it did not leave a very good impression. While controls are tight, the character felt very heavy and it also took me some time to get used to the drone mechanics. Starting the game I also thought the controls could be mapped easier, anyway, most decisions finally made sense in the later game when running fully geared-up. While the basic movement is slow, the steam-powered suit allows for some pretty quick and erratic dodges and bouncy wall jumps. There’s also a run button which will become your best friend. What I can say is that the DX version alleviates a lot of early game issues of the original. I personally think the game looks nice and it has a great intriguing atmosphere and soundtrack. Soundscapes also got updated for DX as far as I remember. What I don’t get is people buying this, then complaining it’s ugly and downvoting, that’s what trailers and screenshots are made for. Technically, the port runs great, no drops or stuttering. I appreciate that a lot, given the technical limitations of the Switch. Where the game really shines for me is its world design. While the early game is rather linear it becomes a vast open experience once you reach the central HUB area. There’s always multiple paths to go and all are viable options to progress. There’s a teleporter system which got improved for DX and also a basic map design that is constructed in loops, so pushing forward is usually your best option. I wished more MV had a sophisticated world design and progression tree like this. Boss encounters where also fun and challenging, some require figuring out special mechanics within the fight. I died a lot playing this, but it has an instant continue feature without any throwback so I was never discouraged from trying once more. As a conclusion I think Outbuddies DX is a game targeting experienced players. Controls are rather complex and it does not provide a lot of hand holding. I did not fall in love with it immediately but it actually became one of my favorite games in the end, due to great world design and interesting progression mechanics.

Un très mauvais Metroidvania. Sur le papier c'est aguichant. Explorer les profondeurs lovecraftiennes c'est vraiment très vendeur. Seulement, dans la pratique, c'est mal réalisé. Le gameplay est imprécis et inutilement complexe. Le drone est une fausse bonne idée en solo. Tu peux explorer la zone visuellement sans même avoir fait un pas. Enfin, mais c'est subjectif, je trouve le jeu très moche. Vous avez intérêt à accrocher à la palette. Etonné des "10" et des "9" par ailleurs pour ne pas dire +....