It’s been 25 years since the original sci-fi action RPG Outcast hit our screens. Back then it was an award-winning film, hailed as revolutionary for its use of free-roam 3D exploration in an action RPG, but can the latest iteration live up to that reputation?

While I enjoyed the combat in Outcast: A New Beginning, I wasn’t blown away by it. The controls and action are well-paced and responsive (making for some fun, frantic action), but melee is a weak link, with very few upgrade options.

Gun enthusiasts will feel more at home, thanks to a wide variety of weapon modules that you can use to upgrade both your rifle and pistol. These are interchangeable between the two weapons and can be swapped out at will, making for some fun choices even mid-fight. However, this variety is still limited. Don’t expect much in the way of AOE or stealth options, for example (though things do improve somewhat as you progress).

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for your enemies to start to feel a little samey. You’ll definitely find some stronger droids in the harder difficulty bases, and there are a few nice surprises in the early hours. But whether you’re out in the wilderness or fighting through an enemy base, you’ll quickly get used to the movement patterns and enemy types you can expect.