Outbuddies DX is a 2D action Metroidvania set in an underwater world. The story follows maritime archaeologist Nikolay Bernstein, who awakens after a shipwreck in the sunken city of Bahlam, 36,000 feet below the surface. He finds himself connected to a Buddy unit, a hovering drone that becomes essential for survival and exploration.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on non-linear exploration of Bahlam's five distinct areas. Players control Bernstein through platforming, shooting, and environmental navigation while managing a limited set of starting abilities that expand through upgrades. Movement includes running, jumping, wall jumping, rolling, crawling, and swimming with dashes. Combat involves a primary weapon that cycles through options as new systems are found, along with secondary tools for specific threats.
The Buddy unit adds a second layer of interaction. Switching control to the drone allows it to fly through walls, scan for secrets and weak points, hack enemies, and use telekinesis to move objects. These abilities help solve puzzles and reveal hidden paths. Upgrades apply to both characters, improving weapons, mobility, and drone functions over time. Boss encounters demand precise use of acquired gear and often feature distinct patterns that reward observation and adaptation.
Local co-op lets a second player take direct control of the Buddy unit, expanding its options for support during combat and puzzle solving. The game runs at 60 frames per second with handcrafted pixel art that scales cleanly across display resolutions.
Game Modes
Outbuddies DX focuses on a single-player campaign with optional local co-op support. The main experience is a non-linear Metroidvania adventure that encourages backtracking as new abilities unlock previously inaccessible sections. A Boss Rush mode is available for players seeking concentrated challenges against the game's encounters after completing the story.
No online multiplayer or additional seasonal content exists. Progression remains tied to exploration, item collection, and ability acquisition within the core campaign structure.
Story and World
Bahlam serves as the central setting, a vast undercity built by the Old Gods and now inhabited by hostile creatures alongside remnants of the Wozan, a tribe of mining beings seeking escape to the surface. The narrative unfolds through exploration and encounters, revealing details about the city's history and the player's connection to the Buddy unit. Environmental hazards, secret passages, and collectibles populate the handcrafted spaces, supporting repeated visits to earlier zones.
Is It Worth Playing?
Outbuddies DX delivers a focused Metroidvania experience built around its dual-character system and underwater setting. Strengths include creative boss designs, rewarding exploration, and the unique drone mechanics that differentiate it from similar titles. Local co-op adds variety for pairs interested in shared play.
Reception has been mixed, with praise for atmosphere and challenge balanced against notes on control precision and map clarity in some reviews. The DX version incorporates quality-of-life improvements over the original release. Players who enjoy deliberate, ability-gated exploration and companion-based gameplay will find the most value here. Those preferring more guided progression or polished controls may encounter frustration. The game remains available on Nintendo Switch for those drawn to its specific mechanics and pixel-art presentation.
