Wannabe cowboys can saddle up once more with Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster, a revival of the 1997 LucasArts western shooter brought to PS5 by Nightdive Studios and Atari. The remaster walks a fine line between preserving the original’s retro identity and applying a careful coat of modern polish. It is, as Nightdive intends, a faithful remaster rather than a full remake: textures, character models, and cutscenes have been refreshed for clarity and fidelity, but the underlying design, pacing, and structure remain very much rooted in the late 90s.
At the heart of the experience is James Anderson, the retired marshal whose life is upended when bandits murder his wife and abduct his daughter. The story unfolds across dusty frontier towns, eerie mines, and bustling train forts, guided by hand-drawn, animated cutscenes that retain their retro storybook charm while benefiting from uncompressed clarity. These interstitials communicate the narrative efficiently, balancing sparse dialogue with expressive imagery; they may feel quaint to players expecting cinematic modernity, but they also give the game a distinct identity and reinforce the classic western mood and LucasArts’ strong storytelling background.
The levels themselves showcase the game’s signature design philosophy. Exploration and environmental problem-solving are emphasized over linear, fast-paced progression: keys must be found, switches toggled, and secrets uncovered. This approach rewards patience, offering satisfaction when a hidden passage is discovered or a new route opens, yet it also produces uneven pacing. Visibility issues, such as hard-to-see keys or small pickup radii for essential items, can frustrate newcomers, and some later stages require careful attention to avoid wandering aimlessly. Still, the layered, puzzle-laden architecture gives each map personality and echoes the thoughtful design ethos of its era.
Combat remains the core draw. Firearms – from the revolver’s satisfying fan-fire to the scoped rifle, shotguns, and dynamite – carry tangible weight, and enemy encounters feel lethal and consequential. However, AI limitations mean foes act mechanically rather than adaptively, so tension comes more from the design of the encounters themselves than from emergent behavior. Weapon variety is somewhat constrained, with three shotguns feeling largely interchangeable, yet the combination of strategic positioning, cover use, and raw firepower still produces memorable firefights.
The remaster’s visual and auditory presentation is a highlight. Textures are sharper, sprites and models polished, and players can toggle between original and updated visuals to appreciate both eras. Cutscenes retain their 4:3 aspect but are cleaner and more readable. Clint Bajakian’s score underpins the experience, imbuing gunfights and quiet exploration with a cinematic sweep reminiscent of Sergio Leone westerns, while gunshots, reloads, and ambient effects anchor the action in a convincing frontier setting. Occasional quirks remain – levitating bodies, odd geometry, and inconsistent hit detection – but they are minor blemishes on an otherwise effective restoration.
Modern convenience has been thoughtfully integrated. The PS5 edition supports 4K at 120 FPS, alongside controller enhancements including gyro aiming, a weapon wheel, and adaptive rumble. Multiplayer returns with both competitive and team-focused modes, including the delightfully irreverent “Kill the Fool With the Chicken,” and a Vault provides archival content for fans seeking behind-the-scenes material. These additions expand the game’s longevity, though the main campaign remains relatively short, even with the included extra missions, which may limit appeal for those accustomed to more sprawling shooters with longer stories.
Ultimately, Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster succeeds as a preservation rather than a reinvention. It brings the dusty, deliberate soul of the original into the present with clarity and polish, allowing veteran players to revisit a classic and newcomers to experience a formative slice of 90s western FPS design. While the campaign is brief, some systems remain clunky, and level design can frustrate, the game’s character, gunplay, and audiovisual fidelity ensure that it stands out as a lovingly crafted remaster. For those willing to embrace its deliberate pace and quirks, it offers a compelling return to the Wild West.
Score: 7.2/10
Press Play Media 