Outriders has been compared to everything: Destiny, Division, Borderlands, Gears of War, and Mass Effect, to name the biggest that come to mind. This perhaps speaks to some of its strengths, specifically that it does so many things that evoke thoughts of other games that so few can do as well. Now, it may not beat Destiny or Borderlands for many fans, but there's a little bit of everything in there. Outriders is a melting pot of gaming trends, for good and ill, but it really beats one of these comparisons in many ways.
When it comes to the comparison between Outriders and Mass Effect: Andromeda, some will say that the gameplay feels similar. That's a matter of opinion, of course, but there's no denying that the stories are inherently similar. To escape a catastrophe (the destruction of Earth in Outriders/the Reapers in Mass Effect), a portion of humanity (and other races in Mass Effect) are sent out to find a safe new world to call home (Outriders' Enoch/a Golden World in Andromeda's Heleus Cluster), just to discover that not all is as peachy as hoped (Outriders' Anomaly/Andromeda's Scourge). In many ways, though, Outriders takes the same formula, flips it on its head, and comes out better than Andromeda. PLEASE NOTE: There are MASSIVE SPOILERS ahead for Outriders.
That's not to say Mass Effect: Andromeda was bad by any means. Many believe that then icing the franchise and Mass Effect: Andromeda's Quarian DLC was a bad call, and that reflects in how its Steam release was met with mostly positive reviews. Nonetheless, the past is the past, and Outriders brings the same formula into the here and now.
Outriders vs. Mass Effect: Andromeda in Story
The story is very similar, but there's one big flaw in Andromeda's storytelling: so much is left unsaid. Mass Effect: Andromeda sets up the Kett conflict, finishes it, but doesn't resolve it. Many questions are left unanswered, such as who the Remnant are, where the Quarians are, and more. It ultimately feels like a lot of set-up for a second game; hopefully, these are answered by the upcoming Mass Effect 4. Truth be told, though, that doesn't feel like the direction Andromeda was headed in.
In contrast, Outriders is a fully self-contained story. It may not answer all the questions, but it clearly and purposefully leaves some questions unanswered. Perhaps its biggest strength is how, while the Kett are generic bad guys and the Remnant are another faceless and ancient civilization in Mass Effect: Andromeda, the bad guys and ancient civs are more forward. Throughout Outriders' story, players will learn that the unhinged Anomaly is humanity's fault, that the ideas of colonialism and finding new homes in space are as deadly as colonialism typically is in history, and more. A lot of it ends on a "feels bad man" vibe that, ultimately, colors the game's story. Players don't get a happy ending where it's all said and done, just one where it is said and done.
Outriders vs. Mass Effect: Andromeda in Crew
BioWare has a long history of interesting companions, beit Mass Effect or Dragon Age. However, a lot of the companions in Mass Effect: Andromeda didn't hit the same mark. That's not to say they were bad, per se, but there was nothing new to many of them. PeeBee's personality was off-beat, but that's about it for most of them. It says something that the most popular companion was the new Angara companion, Jaal. Typically, these alien companions are beloved because they show interesting new ways to see the world, but even with a brand new setting, Angara being good and Kett being bad really didn't create as memorable characters as past games.
On the other hand, the crew in Outriders feel like they were taken straight out of a BioWare game, even if they can't be romanced or taken into a fight. Jakub is everyone's gruff father figure who occasionally sings and kicks up a good laugh; he's the dark hope of the crew, with a strong, emotional storyline. The history with him feels authentic and not something cooked up.
Channa's conflict with him but belief in him too is entirely human, and her pursuit of this vision of a good future shows how much people believe in the good things in life, even during dark times. Then, there's Bailey whose betrayal can be seen coming a million miles away, but the way the game handles it and develops her loyalty is masterful storytelling.
Those three exemplify one underarching story quite well, but that's not all the complexities with the Outriders crew. Dr. Zahedi's ramblings, need for scientific community, and tendency to be a bit naive is endearing, while Tiago's inner conflict about the humans and the Pax even overshadow his strong and silent character typing. His story is deeply intertwined with August's, creating some really powerful moments for Tiago, for August, and for the player, good and bad.
Outriders vs. Mass Effect: Andromeda in Aliens
The Pax and August may have been Outriders' best-kept secret. While it makes absolute sense that Enoch would already be inhabited, not realizing it until about midway through the game really empowers the mystery around them. Then, players learn that the Pax can become Ferals through the Anomaly, adding an even more painful twist to an otherwise powerful story. And then, on top of all that, players will earn how this is actually humanity's fault. It's the ripe old colonial story about how colonizes destroy the local culture.
In contrast, it's hard to see Mass Effect: Andromeda's story as anything other than humans arrive, join Angara who are mostly good, and kill Kett who are mostly bad. The ideas are so clean-cut for the most part that it tells a weakened story, whereas Outriders is so nuanced that learning more about Enoch and its inhabitants feel rewarding, if sometimes a little depressing.
Overall, Outriders is more than the sum of its parts, and these comparisons are just that: comparisons. It may not amount to much, but in terms of storytelling, Outriders took a lot of what Mass Effect: Andromeda did and did it better.
Outriders is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.