Outward as a Skyrim alternative: what is different and who it suits

What Outward is, from its own pages

Outward is a fantasy action RPG set in the world of Aurai. Its developer, Nine Dots Studio, pitches it as the opposite of a chosen-one story: you are not a demigod and not the subject of a forgotten prophecy, just an ordinary person who has to make a life from "eating, sleeping, hunting, resting and healing, and of course fighting" [2]. The Definitive Edition, released on Steam on 17 May 2022, bundles the two expansions, The Soroboreans and The Three Brothers, and adds a city-building mechanic and an enchanting system with over 85 recipes [1].

That description already shows the difference from Skyrim. Skyrim Special Edition describes an epic fantasy with Creations content, remastered art and effects [3]. Outward describes the practical business of staying alive. If what you liked about Skyrim was the freedom to wander off in any direction, Outward offers that. If it was the power fantasy, read the next section first.

Outward versus Skyrim: the differences that matter

This comparison sticks to what the two Steam pages and the developer's page state. We have not played either game for this article, so there is no opinion on combat feel, quest quality or difficulty tuning here.

Two lines in the table decide most people's answer. The first is saving. Outward constantly saves the world as you go, which the studio presents as a feature: "live with your actions", with dynamic defeat scenarios in place of a simple game over [2] [1]. If you habitually quicksave before a risky fight, expect to unlearn that. The second is co-op. A friend can join you online or on the same screen [1], something the Skyrim Special Edition Steam page does not offer [3].

Who should try Outward, and who should not

This section is our interpretation of the listed features, not a tested verdict.

Outward is a reasonable pick if you:

• wanted Skyrim's first-person, open-world exploring but with real consequences for being unprepared, since the game tracks sleep, hydration and illness [1];
• want to play a fantasy RPG with a partner on one couch or online [1];
• are happy to accept that a failed fight may not be undone by loading an earlier save [2].

Skyrim is still the better fit if you want to save at will, play with the largest pool of community content, or want a game with an enormous and long-standing player base. It has far more Steam reviews, and a higher share of them positive, than Outward: 351,654 of 381,413 positive against 22,963 of 31,645 [3] [1]. Review counts measure popularity as much as quality, and Steam's "Mostly Positive" label for Outward means a meaningful minority of players disliked it, so read recent reviews for the issues that bother them before buying.

If you like both ideas, nothing stops you from owning both; Steam lists both as Windows games [1] [3].

Before you buy

Check the price on the day. On 21 October 2026 the US Steam store showed Outward Definitive Edition at a 95% discount from its $39.99 list price, while Skyrim Special Edition sat at $39.99 [1] [3]. Steam sales end without warning, and other stores may differ.

Buy the Definitive Edition, not the older base game, if you want the two expansions and the quality-of-life changes that Steam says it includes [1]. We did not verify which console versions exist or how upgrades from the original work, so check the console store page for your system. Studio pages link to Steam, GOG and Epic for PC purchases [2].

Finally, expect a slower start than Skyrim. The game's own copy says its challenge is aimed at "the most avid gamers" [1], and its core appeal is that you cannot rely on a safety net. That is the point of the game, not a defect to be patched out.

FAQ