Square Enix’s Outriders looks like Destiny by way of Gears of War

A next- and current-gen game

Square Enix’s new game looks to be most succinctly summed up through comparisons to existing games. It’s being developed by People Can Fly (most well-known for Bulletstorm and Gears of War: Judgment) and it’s titled Outriders. One glance and you’ll instantly recognize the influences.

Yes, this space shooter looks equal parts Destiny and Gears with maybe a dash of Anthem for good measure. While the cinematic trailer embedded above sets the tone, Game Informer’s teaser video embedded below actually shows some gameplay:

Outriders is a cover-based loot shooter, one that evidently chases the games-as-a-service dragon. It’s a crowded market with huge franchises like Destiny, The Division, Fallout, and Anthem all taking up space. Destiny is firmly planted at the top, but maybe there’s room for newcomers if they do enough to differentiate themselves. Distinction is key.

Given the timing, one of the most immediately-interesting things about Outriders is where it’s launching. The trailer makes mention of PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X (along with PC, of course). Outriders will be a cross-generation game. A holiday release during a new console year won’t preclude people who hold off on adopting new hardware.

We’ll find out more about Outriders this Thursday when People Can Fly and Square Enix host an official reveal stream. For now, this new property looks rooted in the influence of existing properties.