Outbound: A new co-op survival sim with mixed reviews

Outbound, developed by Square Glade Games, is a cooperative survival simulator that launched on May 11, 2026. The game leans into the fantasy of a modern 'van life' lifestyle and has gathered more than 1.5 million wishlists on Steam. Despite that popularity, reviews have been mixed since launch, sparking plenty of discussion within the gaming community.

Development and release

Outbound drew attention during Steam's February Next Fest, where it emerged as one of the surprise standouts thanks to positive reactions to the demo. The full version, now available in Early Access, has not lived up to expectations for some players. Priced at $25, the game has been criticized for its short playtime and shallow survival mechanics.

Negative feedback and controversy

Shortly after release, some players began expressing disappointment with Outbound's content. Criticism ranged from the price point to the overall experience, which many felt did not match the hype. The situation escalated when the developers, Square Glade Games, responded to a negative review by asking the player to remove it in exchange for a refund. That approach was seen as inappropriate and triggered another wave of negative reviews.

Square Glade Games' response

In response to the controversy, Square Glade Games publicly apologized. The studio said its communication came across the wrong way and that it had not handled the situation with the care it should have. In its statement, the team said it takes the negative feedback seriously and will focus on addressing the issues raised by players.

Future developments

Square Glade Games has promised to focus on improving multiplayer stability, the user interface, and bug fixes in upcoming patches. The team has already welcomed more than 40,000 players in the first 24 hours after launch and says it is committed to incorporating community feedback into future updates.