Outbuddies DX is a 2D Metroidvania action platformer that places players in control of maritime archaeologist Nikolay Bernstein as he navigates the flooded ruins of Bahlam. The game combines side-scrolling exploration, precise platforming, and four-direction shooting with a companion system that expands movement and puzzle options over time.
Gameplay
Players begin with basic abilities including running, jumping, wall jumping, crawling for stealth, and a steam-powered roll that consumes a regenerating gauge. Swimming sections allow directional shooting while moving through water. Progress unlocks suit upgrades such as double jumps, bombs for clearing paths, missiles for breaking walls, and additional weapons including charged shots and projectile variants. All equipment ties into a steam system that limits overuse until the player touches solid ground.
The Buddy unit serves as both a mapping tool and an active companion. Players can switch control to Buddy at any time for scanning rooms to reveal secrets, using telekinesis to move blocks, or hacking certain enemies to turn them into temporary platforms. Upgrades for Buddy expand these options through collectible protocols. The interconnected map spans five distinct biomes filled with environmental hazards, locked passages, and backtracking requirements that reward new abilities. Boss encounters demand mastery of both character and companion tools, with enemy AI that adapts in certain situations.
Pixel art visuals run at a steady frame rate with clean scaling. The original soundtrack supports the underwater atmosphere through layered electronic tracks that shift during exploration and combat.
Game Modes
The core experience is a single-player campaign focused on non-linear progression through Bahlam. Local co-op allows a second player to take direct control of the Buddy unit on the same screen, enabling simultaneous puzzle solving and combat support without altering the main campaign structure. A Boss Rush mode exists as a separate challenge for players seeking repeated encounters with the game's larger enemies after completing the main story.
No online multiplayer or versus options are available. The campaign emphasizes exploration and ability-gated progression over linear levels, with optional collectibles such as freed Wozan prisoners scattered throughout the ruins.
Story and Setting
Nikolay Bernstein regains consciousness deep beneath the South Atlantic after a shipwreck, linked unwillingly to the Buddy unit. The sunken city of Bahlam once belonged to the Old Gods, whose sudden disappearance left hostile creatures in control. The Wozan, a tribe of mining beings enslaved millennia earlier, now hide in secret colonies or remain captive. Exploration gradually reveals more about these factions and the ominous presence lingering in the caverns as Nikolay seeks a path back to the surface.
Is It Worth Playing?
Outbuddies DX delivers a complete Metroidvania package centered on exploration, ability upgrades, and challenging boss fights. The dual control scheme with Buddy adds a distinctive layer to puzzles and combat that sets it apart from standard entries in the genre. Players who enjoy methodical backtracking, learning enemy patterns, and experimenting with movement tools will find satisfaction in uncovering new routes and secrets across the five areas.
Reception has been mixed, with praise for the atmospheric presentation, soundtrack, and creative boss designs alongside criticism of occasionally stiff controls and a map system that can obscure objectives. The game runs well on PS4 and supports various controllers with remapping options. Those seeking a demanding single-player or local co-op adventure with retro pixel aesthetics and a focus on interconnected level design may appreciate the experience, particularly if they value the unique companion mechanics over polished fundamentals. The title remains available as a standalone release without ongoing seasonal content.
