Appeal S.A.'s 1999 classic — its history, how the press received it, how it plays today, and what a copy costs.
- Released
- 1999 · PC (DOS / Windows)
- Developer
- Appeal S.A.
- Publisher
- Infogrames Europe SA
- MobyScore
- ★ 8.06
The history
Developed by the Belgian studio Appeal S.A., which was formed in 1995 by Yves Grolet, Franck Sauer, and Yann Robert, Outcast arrived in 1999 as a bold fusion of action and adventure. It tells the story of former U.S. Navy S.E.A.L. Cutter Slade, who is sent to a parallel universe called Adelpha to repair a damaged probe and prevent a black hole from threatening Earth.
The game mattered because it pushed the boundaries of exploration. Years later, GamesRadar+ would describe the title as "revolutionary," noting that its open 3D world preceded the release of Grand Theft Auto III by two years.
How it plays
Players control Cutter Slade in a 3D third-person environment, with the option to switch to a first-person view. The core loop involves exploring five distinct continents of Adelpha—ranging from mountains to forests—to retrieve five sacred relics and overthrow the villainous Faé Rhan. Along the way, Cutter must locate missing scientists and solve numerous minor quests for the local Talan inhabitants, many of whom can be conversed with on a variety of topics.
Combat is handled via six futuristic weapons, such as a railgun, with ammunition that can be found or crafted by mixing items. Players can utilize laser sights for aiming, deploy holo-decoys, or use stealth to punch enemies silently. To navigate the expansive world, Cutter can jump, climb, swim, crawl, or ride a local creature called a Twon-Ha.
How it was received
Outcast was well-regarded upon release, earning an 81% average score on GameRankings. Both GameSpot and Computer Gaming World named it the best adventure game of 1999, with the latter praising it as a significant achievement despite a "slim year" for the genre. It also earned nominations for "Computer Adventure/Role-Playing Game of the Year" and "Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition" at the 3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, though it lost the former to Asheron's Call.
Commercial performance was strongest in Germany, where it debuted at #3 on Media Control's computer game sales chart in June 1999 and surpassed 50,000 units by December. In the United States, it sold 12,571 copies by the end of 1999, eventually reaching global sales of 400,000 units by 2002.
In the magazines
The period press.
Next Generation's Adam Pavlacka gave the game four out of five stars, suggesting that those tired of "FPS madness" with enough "horsepower" would be drawn into its world of beauty and intrigue.
Screenshots
The box & the art
Cover art, and real copies photographed in the wild.
Legacy
Appeal S.A. continued its journey long after the original release, recently developing Outcast - A New Beginning in 2024. The original 1999 title remains worth seeking out today for its pioneering approach to 3D open-world exploration and its unique setting.
What it's worth
A second-hand market that moves over time — a loose disc is pocket-money, while sealed or complete-with-manual copies drive the top end. For today's exact listings, check the live search.
See current copies on eBay →Copies in the wild
Real listing photos — the range of condition you'll meet.
Photographed examples from past listings — illustrative of condition, not a live inventory.
How to play it in 2026
Easiest today: Steam or GOG (DRM-free) on modern Windows. Either way the core game is intact.
The version known as Outcast 1.1 is a recompiled version of the original source code designed for modern computers. It introduces a multi-threaded voxel renderer for better performance, higher resolution support, software bilinear filtering on polygonal meshes, and Xinput controller support. It also includes bug fixes and a redesigned HUD to match higher resolutions.
Verdict
Outcast is a fascinating relic of the late 90s that dared to blend shooter mechanics with a sprawling, quest-driven adventure. While some may find the narrative clichéd or convoluted, the sheer ambition of its open world and the variety of its environments provide a compelling experience.
Between the technical refinements of the 1.1 version and the epic music, it holds up as a testament to the creative risks taken by the Belgian developers at Appeal.
Sources: MobyGames, Steam, and period/web coverage. Prices reflect the second-hand market and change over time.