We'd recommend this chill Xbox Game Pass freebie, if you can get past the grind

If you’re after something to play this week, might we recommend this recent Xbox Game Pass addition that is sure to use up all your free time?

I’m usually more of an action-packed gamer, one who likes playing adventure-heavy RPGs or chaotic first-person shooters, but lately I’ve changed up my habits to accommodate something at a slower pace.

I’ve been spending a lot of my recent gaming time playing this cosy little outdoors simulator called Outbound, and it’s something I’d really recommend to anyone looking to play something a bit more relaxing over the summer.

Available on Xbox Game Pass, as well as PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch/Switch 2, Outbound is a relaxing survival game where you explore the great outdoors in your electric camper van.

After creating your character and designing your van, Outbound drops you into the world with almost nothing. You have to collect recipes for different tools and items, which you can then craft using materials found in the world.

You can upgrade the van, including building new structures and rooms on top of the roof to create a cosy tiny home.

It sounds a lot like Minecraft, but what I appreciate the most about Outbound is it doesn’t feel like you’re being pressured into rushing through the game. In many survival games, you have to gather resources and find a shelter quickly, because threats are coming at you from all around.

Square Glade Games

In Outbound, there are no enemies to attack you. You don’t need a weapon and can explore as much as you want without fearing getting killed and losing your gathered items. It’s a very comfortable, if idealised, depiction of the great outdoors.

There’s a hunger metre—which can deplete your life gauge if you run out of food—but you’ll never face any major consequences should you ever run out of health. There are also inventory and crafting systems you need to keep an eye on, where carrying too much can result in you becoming overencumbered.

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Outbound isn't perfect, but I do really love what it does with the survival genre

Overall, survival genre fans may struggle to find enjoyment in these systems, as they’re admittedly not as hardcore as more straightforward survival sims like Rust or Subnautica.

However, those who like cosy games or more relaxing experiences will get a lot from Outbound. Being able to build and improve your camper van, add new features, and expand with new rooms becomes a charming little minigame as you search around for the right materials and venture to new biomes.

Its biggest weakness is something that some players can forgive, while others may not, and that’s the grinding aspect, which comes into full play around the time you hit the third biome.

Here, you need to massively upgrade your tools and vehicle, as well as build more appliances that can create new materials for you. Resources you find out in the world become scarcer, as new items and upgrades you need to craft become more expensive.

Square Glade Games

I found this part of the game tested my patience quite a bit, where a lot of progression reached a standstill as I worked on slowly chipping away at obtaining each upgrade. I’d say the final area of Outbound is worth sticking around for if you’ve come this far, as the last biome genuinely speeds by quite quickly after you’ve obtained every upgrade.

But overall, your mileage on this may vary. It's not a perfect survival game, but I do love how it twists your expectations of the genre.

If you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, Outbound is definitely worth an install. Otherwise, you can pick it up for £19.99 on Xbox Series X/S, PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.