Multiplayer & Co-op
Outriders is fundamentally desed as a co-op shooter RPG, allowing players to team up with up to two other individuals for a total squad size of three. This cooperative element is central to the game's experience, offering a more dynamic and engaging way to tackle its challenging missions and expeditions. The game supports cross-platform play, meaning players on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One can seamlessly join forces. This feature sificantly expands the pool of potential teammates, making it easier to find a group for any given activity. The core loop of Outriders involves progressing through a narrative campa, completing side missions, and engaging in endgame activities like Expeditions. All of these can be undertaken with a co-op squad, often making them more manageable and enjoyable. The synergy between different player classes, such as the Pyromancer's area-of-effect damage and the Devastator's tanking capabilities, can be crucial for success, especially on higher World Tiers and in challenging Expeditions like the "Archon's Forge."
When playing in a multiplayer session, enemy encounters are scaled to the number of participants, ensuring a consistent challenge regardless of squad size. This means that fighting alongside friends doesn't necessarily make the game easier in terms of enemy health or numbers, but rather allows for more strategic approaches and the division of roles. For instance, one player might focus on drawing enemy fire from a group of aggressive "Hollow Soldiers," while another uses their Technomancer's "Blightciaux" to debuff and damage them from a distance. Communication is key, and while the game offers in-game voice chat and ping systems, effective coordination can greatly enhance survivability and efficiency. Loot is instanced, meaning each player receives their own drops, preventing any conflict over valuable gear like legendary weapons or armor sets. This ensures that every player has a fair chance to acquire powerful items to enhance their character builds, whether they are playing as an Outrider or any other class.