Summary
OutRage: Fight Festis an exciting new title from developer Hardball Games, and it looks to be a fun mixture of genres. The ambitious multiplayer title brings both brawler and battle royale mechanics together in one experience. Currently in Early Access onSteam,OutRageis a fascinating blend of genres, withTekkenandFortnitebeing a huge influence.
There seems to be a new surge in fighting-based games recently. Withthe release ofMultiVersus, as well asMortal Kombat 1andStreet Fighter 6being major launches from the past year, the genre is having a bit of a renaissance. Fighting games have been a long-running genre in the industry, and there have been a variety of ways the gameplay has evolved.OutRagepromises diverse action that is directly inspired by some of the biggest franchises around.
OutRage Blends Tekken and Fortnite Into One Game
Tekken and Fellow Fighting Franchises Inspire OutRage’s Gameplay
Tekkenis one of the most popular fighting franchises around, andOutRagehas gotten clear inspiration from the series. There are many greatentries in theTekkenfranchise, and the longevity of the series has inspired many other fighting titles. However, one of the best features ofTekkenis its heavily stylized violence that can be gloriously over-the-top.
The absurdity ofTekken’s action is iconic, and it has directly inspired the fighting mechanics ofOutRage. The violence inOutRageis cartoonishly fun and stylized, whichTekkendoes incredibly well. InOutRage, everything in the arena can be used as a weapon, and these objects are used to cause absolute mayhem in matches, bringing classic fighting mechanics a step further.Tekkenboasts a variety of great characters, andOutRagehas a delightfully diverse roster that has its own unique appearances that call back to the varied characters of classic fighting franchises.
At the time of this writing, there is currently no set release date forOutRage: Fight Fest. However, the Early Access period is expected to last six months.
OutRage Takes Notes From Fortnite’s Multiplayer
One of the most interesting aspects ofOutRage’s gameplay is that it takes a multiplayer fighting game to the next level. The reveal trailer for the game claims that it’s the first “mega brawl” game, as matches can be up to 16 players. The description forOutRageon the game’s Steam page puts an emphasis on chaos, which is easy to make happen when 16 players are going head-to-head in an arena. A clearsource of inspiration isFortnite.OutRagehas its own version of a battle royale mode, whichFortnitenotably helped popularize.
Fortnitemay not be the first battle royale title, but it definitely brought the genre to the mainstream, andOutRagehas understandably taken note of the popular match mode. Another callback toFortniteis found in the game’s art style.OutRagenot only has very stylized violence in the form ofTekken, but the game’s overall artwork and character aesthetics areincredibly reminiscent ofFortnite.
AsOutRage’s Early Access demo continues to be available on Steam, interested gamers can dive in to see what the massive brawler title is all about. There’s no telling what the next big multiplayer title will be, butOutRagehas a lot of potential. Withthe likes ofMarvel Rivalsalso on the horizon,OutRagealready has some major competition for an indie title, but itsTekkenandFortniteinfluences give it a compelling edge.
