(AfroGamers.com) Earlier this year, my brother and I were heavy into Outriders which had a lot of good stuff there. Two problems it had was a lack of consistent and engaging content and mediocre motion. Outriders simply wasn’t the most fluid game as far as movement. You have to be hyper-aware of where you were as far as the enemy’s position, obstacles and walls. Two years ago, my brother wrote about People Can Fly reviving Outriders with the “Worldslayer” DLC.
Now the thing with Outriders was heavily on not being able to retain players. Yes, there are still outriders bumping around on there and admittedly, it’s a fun—and frustrating—game but the base just didn’t stick around. I mean if you can’t grow it, at least hold it.
Over time, the player base just dropped and People Can Fly just didn’t pump out the content to keep up interest. Sure, they update the game but as far a steady enough stream of content to keep folks around every three months? Nah.
It’s a shame because the combat, skill tree, mission layout and enemy approach are pretty much there. This should’ve been an easy enough run. Are the monsters in the game hyper aggressive? Yes, yes they are. Does it add to those high-octane “Can we shoot our way out of this” moments? More than once. Did Outriders have the loot rewards? Definitely. It had to do with the crafting system the game had!
My Love of Loot in Games
Now, I mainly play single-player RPGs. If it’s a multiplayer deal, I tend to play solo unless it’s an MMORPG or features matching. I’ve just never been too big on “We need to coordinate blah blah what’s your load out?”
It’s an essential part of games featuring loot, stats, dungeons, and so on but I’ve always found that to be the most boring and dry part of gaming. But it’s totally necessary for that run’s success unless you’re in a group that just enjoys getting spanked by the AI and human opponents.
The thing about my preferred stomping grounds is that the loot that drops in single-player-oriented is rarely anything to be overly excited about. It might have higher stats and a buff—maybe even two. Then again, you might like what you’re rocking at the moment and figure you’ll hold on to the gear or break it down for scrap.
Or sell it if there’s no crafting in the game. One of the things I enjoy in any game is crafting and tinkering. I’m constantly breaking, merging, improving, or infusing gear. Anything crafting-oriented, I’m on it. Even alchemy in the Elder Scrolls games. Yes, I love venturing into caves, dungeons, temples and ruins as a stealthy class but I believe I spend most of my time in town doing everything crafting related.
If I’m not crafting, I’m going between towns finding resources, or seeing what gear they have for sale that can be stripped. Only then do I go mine or dungeon delve to find anything for crafting. My goal was never to be the Dragonborn or the Wasteland Savior—those titles just make it easy for me to craft.
Then you have games like Diablo IV, Path of Exile, Borderlands, The Division 2, Destiny 2, and Outriders where the gear really shines. Now, in that group you have some games with low populations but they all delivered the goods as far as loot is concerned. Stats, buffs, interesting abilities and mechanics. All of these were amplified by most titles—bar Borderlands—featuring a crafting mechanic of some sort. It might have been initially basic like Destiny 2, Diablo IV and Path of Exile or pretty involved like Destiny 2 and Outriders but having a crafting system to really make a piece of gear will always tie things together.
That is until a better piece of gear drops and you’ve have to scrap the old gear. Honestly, it’s a lot of busy work and an endless circle. You’ve got to manage resources, your money, inventory space, go into the field to find materials or gear to scrap—it’s a lot but that’s part of the enjoyment! The hunt for great loot and the fun that can be had while trying to improve it.
Are you a loot goblin? What are some games that scratch your loot itch? Let us know!
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.