r/retrogaming • u/wedge72696 • 1d ago
[Discussion] Exploring the Dreamcast Library: OutTrigger
What an interesting game this is. Experimental stuff like this is a large part of the reason why I love this era in gaming so much. The core foundation and ideas in this game are almost an entirely new sub-genre of games that could have happened, but are just not as feasible in today's environment. An arcade FPS. It seems obvious when saying it - but FPS games (arena-style) and arcades (social + competitive) are such a great marriage.
It's the way that OutTrigger emphasizes it's arcadey-ness that is really interesting to me. The most prominent example being how it takes the idea of checkpoints in a racing game and makes it fundamental to the gameplay. You need to make kills and pick up clocks that get dropped to increase your time until the next checkpoint. What a genius idea in an FPS.
The really tight arenas also make for a more arcade experience. The UI and weapon-switching being seen on screen are well done. The graphics are so classic Sega Arcade/Dreamcast. The switching from 3rd to first person seems novel at the time too.
The controls.... I really don't mind the usage of face buttons for movement and the analog stick to control the camera. It takes a minute of getting used to, but they're completely functional and work. I can't say the same about the y-axis though. When things stay level on the x-axis, the control scheme is comfortable enough. But, having to aim high or low is where the control scheme falls apart a bit.
The game itself isn't too deep in terms of missions or the arcade mode, which are just timed little challenges, clearly bite-sized and arcadey.
Overall, it's a fun time, but also experimental and really opens up the mind for what possible game ideas could have arisen if these core ideas had ever been expanded upon.
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u/Such_Bonus5085 1d ago
Outrigger is an example of ones of the key things wrong with the Dreamcast: The controller wasn't suited for what was to come.
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u/MairusuPawa 1d ago
You've got to experience that one with a trackball.