Driver FixRecommendedSound, Wi-Fi or graphics acting up? Check drivers firstFind missing or outdated drivers fast.Check DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

Outcast – Second Contact Review: Is the 2017 Remake Worth Playing Today?

The 2017 remake of Outcast offers a distinctive alien world and open-ended exploration, but uneven controls and polish make it a qualified recommendation.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Outcast – Second Contact is worth considering if you want an unusual science-fiction world to explore and can tolerate an uneven remake. The 2017 reworking of the 1999 adventure gives Cutter Slade a broad alien landscape, quests, combat and infiltration, but reception points to a gap between the appeal of Adelpha and the polish of the controls and presentation.

What is Outcast – Second Contact?

Released on November 14, 2017, Outcast – Second Contact is a remake of Outcast, the 1999 action-adventure. Steam lists Appeal Studios as developer and Nacon as publisher. The game follows Cutter Slade, sent to the alien world Adelpha after a probe incident threatens Earth. His journey takes him through the world and its Talan society as he works to avert the catastrophe.

Steam describes a single-player open world spanning six continents. Players can pursue quests, fight hostile forces or use infiltration, with weapons and gadgets at their disposal. That combination makes exploration and the people encountered along the way central to the experience, rather than treating Adelpha as a backdrop for a sequence of disconnected gunfights. Steam’s game listing provides the game’s premise and feature description.

Does Outcast – Second Contact still hold up?

Its strongest case is the setting and the sense of discovery. Reviewers who responded positively emphasized the game’s distinctive world and the value of revisiting an adventure that stood apart in its era. PC Gamer’s Richard Cobbett gave it 82/100, calling it “A fine remake of a game that deserves to be played as much as it gets fondly remembered.” Eurogamer’s Richie Shoemaker marked it Recommended and described it as “a generous and uniquely captivating game,” while noting that the remake’s augmentations are selective and skin deep. TrueAchievements’ Kevin Tavore rated it 4/5 stars and called it “a special piece of gaming history.” These excerpts and attributions appear on GOG’s review page.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Outcast: Second Contact (PS4)
  • Outcast: Second Contact
  • You are Cutter Slade, a former Navy SEAL notorious for your skills…and your heated temper
  • Pulled out of retirement after a series of bizarre events involving a newly discovered parallel universe, you are sent on a mission to save the Earth from total destruction
  • Travel to an alien world, earn the trust of its intelligent inhabitants and uncover the secrets to an advanced civilization that could threaten life as we know it
  • More than 60 hours of gameplay with an engrossing storyline

The counterweight is execution. User reviews displayed on GOG describe a compelling world, but also report glitches, jolty controls, crashes and uneven polish. Those are individual player experiences, not a guarantee that every version or playthrough will have the same problems. Taken together with the critics’ praise and reservations, the reception suggests a remake whose setting and historical character can outweigh its rough edges for some players, but not for everyone.

How do players and critics rate it?

Storefront and critic figures measure different things, so they should not be read as a single score. The following figures were displayed when the pages were retrieved on October 8, 2026; store review counts and ratings can change.

Rank #2
Outcast, Second Contact, 1 PS4-Blu-ray Disc
  • Outcast - Second Contact is an action adventure in an open world
  • which leads the player to a strange and as beautiful as dangerous planet.
Source and measure Displayed result How to read it
Steam all-time user reviews 82% positive from 741 reviews A platform-specific user snapshot, not a critic score. Steam
GOG/OpenCritic critic display 68 top critic average; 27% critics recommend A separate critic aggregate. The GOG excerpt does not give the denominator or methodology for the recommend figure. GOG

The difference between these displays is not proof that one audience is right and the other wrong: they use distinct measures and represent different kinds of response. Read the named review excerpts alongside the user reports to judge whether the game’s particular strengths and shortcomings suit you.

What platforms can you play it on?

The ESRB listing names Windows PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Steam and GOG both list PC editions. The ESRB platform listing does not establish that the game is currently available in every console store, so check the relevant regional storefront before buying a console copy. The rating is T for Teen for language, mild blood and violence; the ESRB summary describes third-person exploration, searching for lost comrades and gunfights. ESRB’s listing has the rating and platform details.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Infamous Second Son (PS4)
  • Set in Seattle, seven years after Infamous 2
  • Your actions will change the future
  • Starring the 24-year-old Delsin Rowe, a self-described underachiever
  • This PS4 video game allows you to use superpowers that revolve around material manipulation

For PC, GOG says its edition is DRM-free and can be played offline without Galaxy, including installation from a fully offline installer. Steam lists Steam features, but its listing does not establish the same DRM-free status. The stores also list digital add-ons: an original soundtrack and a Golden Weapons Pack on Steam. Those listings confirm add-ons, not a physical edition.

Who should play it?

  • Consider it if you enjoy open-ended exploration, alien settings and games with an unusual place in action-adventure history, and you are comfortable with some roughness.
  • Be cautious if smooth controls, consistent polish and a trouble-free technical experience are priorities; player reports on GOG include jolty controls, glitches and crashes.
  • Choose your PC store by preference if offline installation and DRM-free play matter: GOG explicitly makes those claims for its edition, while Steam’s listing does not.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Verdict

Outcast – Second Contact is a qualified recommendation for curious players and fans of distinctive science-fiction adventures. Its lasting draw is Adelpha and the chance to explore a setting with its own society and history; its main risk is that uneven controls and polish may interrupt that appeal. It is easier to recommend for the world and the experience of rediscovery than for technical refinement.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Outcast: Second Contact (PS4)
Outcast: Second Contact (PS4)
Outcast: Second Contact; More than 60 hours of gameplay with an engrossing storyline
$15.00
Bestseller No. 2
Outcast, Second Contact, 1 PS4-Blu-ray Disc
Outcast, Second Contact, 1 PS4-Blu-ray Disc
Outcast - Second Contact is an action adventure in an open world; which leads the player to a strange and as beautiful as dangerous planet.
$11.56
Bestseller No. 3
Infamous Second Son (PS4)
Infamous Second Son (PS4)
Set in Seattle, seven years after Infamous 2; Your actions will change the future; Starring the 24-year-old Delsin Rowe, a self-described underachiever
$27.71
Best Value
Sale
Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King - PlayStation 4
  • Two of the most beloved Disney games of all time make their long-awaited return to modern consoles in Disney Classic Games: Aladdinand The Lion King!
  • Thisunforgettable package of Disney classicsisfilled with tons of new features, enhancements, game modes, and display options, plus multiple versions of the games!
  • Join Aladdinand his sidekick, Abu, as they race through the marketplace toward their date with destiny.
  • The Lion Kingbrings to life the majesty and mystery of Africa through the tale of Simba, a lion cub faced with the challenging transition to maturity. Now, you too can be part of the adventure!
Rank #4
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Spiderman) Sony Playstation 4 PS4 Game
  • Play as Peter Parker: Play as Spider-Mans citizen alter-ego persona as you investigate the motivations of multifaceted villains.
  • All-Star Villain Cast: Wide cast of Spider-Man universe and movie villains, each with their own unique boss battle encounters.
  • All New Web Arsenal: New web-swing mechanic includes expanded web-shooter capabilities and chemical properties that allow you to freeze and blow up items on impact.
  • Expansive NYC: Explore and take on villains in a more expansive Manhattan cityscape than the previous Amazing Spider-Man.
  • New Heroism System: Hero or Menace system rewards you for acting as Spider-Man by stopping crime and saving citizens, but face the consequences if you dont keep down crime rates.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How To Create Custom Stickers & Shoutouts In Monster Hunter WildsMonster Hunter WildsBlog20min
  2. How to Get XL Gogoat in Pokemon Legends Z-A (An Extra-Large Gogoat)Pokemon Legends Z-ABlog20min
  3. How to Get Rotting Lightbringer in Diablo 4Diablo 4Blog17min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.