Outside of the story, exploration, and puzzles, combat can play an equally big part in the overall story. But underneath the shiny new visuals, Outcast remains pretty much the same. Which means controls and combat that was fine if a little clumsy in 1999 is even more so today. But just like then, it’s quickly overlooked for what is an adventure quite unlike any other. An impressively realised world filled with character, moments of sheer triumph, and charm. Outcast: Second Contact is well worth a look for both fans and newcomers alike.

Outcast was plucked straight out of 1999 and dropped into 2017, but in many ways it's better than what we have today. Sure, the combat is horrific and there are other details that clearly show the game is dated, but it doesn't matter. If you're looking for a modern masterpiece, this isn't it; instead, Outcast trips back to a time when games were all about exploration and being absorbed in the world. The alien Talan feel like real people who you'll want to help and they live in a world that feels alive in a way even games like Skyrim do not. Cutter Slade is an outrageous protagonist but he's lovable in his own way — the Nathan Drake of the 90's. These elements come together to create a package that's a pure joy to play through. This game simply exudes charm in a way that few others do. Outcast was the adventure game of the year in 1999, and it's my adventure game of the year in 2017. Outcast is a special piece of gaming history that surprisingly and against any reasonable expectation withstood the test of time. It absolutely should not be missed.

If, like us, you didn't play the first game, you should not miss this. But if you did it, this return to the world of Outcast will be satisfying.

Given the impact that Outcast originally had on open-world PC games, it's wonderful that original developer Appeal and Big Ben have rescued this game from obscurity by bringing it to modern console and PC audiences. If they really wanted to win over new players, though, they really should have improved the controls and added the ability to skip past dialog during conversations. Outcast: Second Contact is still a great game, but you'll have to tolerate some dated elements to enjoy it fully.

While it might once have been the Game of the Year, age and experience have robbed Outcast of its original magic. Luckily, most of that has been replaced by an exciting return to the old and an interesting look back at what the landscape of games used to be.

It must be said that the story has the potential to be something special, however the poor implementation of key game mechanics and a lack of variation throughout makes Outcast: Second Contact the perfect example of an unneeded remaster.

Don’t get me wrong: as someone who was gaming in 1999, I totally see how this would have seemed groundbreaking at the time. However, just because it was good then doesn’t mean it’s still good today. Outcast: Second Contact feels like a product of its time, and like many other products of their times, it’s hard not to look at this game and think it probably should have stayed in the past.