"OUTRANKERS," born from a YouTube project by Yoshiki Okamoto. Report on its feel and game details after playing.
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/929/G092934/20251015057/
Writer: Ray Maeba Photographer: Yutaka Nakamura | 2025/10/16 09:00 (UTC)
“OUTRANKERS,” being developed by deragē, is a new competitive action game born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Prior to its official release, a media presentation was held featuring the development team and supporting ambassadors. This article reports on the details of the game and impressions gathered from hands-on play.
From left: Angela Mei, supporting ambassador; Junichi Miki, director at baobab game studios; Ryo Nishitani, producer at Arika; and Rei Shimizu, supporting ambassador. Thumbnail image 001 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing
Official “OUTRANKERS” Website
Download Page for “OUTRANKERS”
Download Page for “OUTRANKERS”
To recap the game’s concept, “OUTRANKERS” is a “competitive action battle” involving three teams of three players each.
Each team consists of one player-controlled character plus two AI-controlled teammates, battling against the other two teams for 3 minutes and 33 seconds. The key difference lies in victory conditions: the team that delivers the most “Elpis”—a resource—to their base wins, not by defeating enemies. For more detailed rules, please watch the video below.
Ryo Nishitani, game producer Thumbnail image 004 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing
According to Ryo Nishitani, the lead developer producer responsible for shaping the game’s concept, the initial idea was a one-on-one battle similar to “Street Fighter II.” However, after thoroughly analyzing how to reduce the negative feelings associated with losing in competitive fighting games, they concluded that having three teams of three players each would be an effective solution. This approach disperses the emotional weight of defeat across multiple players.
Nishitani also explained their decision to avoid traditional victory conditions where winning is determined by directly inflicting damage on opponents. Instead, aligning with modern player preferences for gentler experiences, they shifted the goal: the team that collects the most Elpis wins.
Next, we’ll report on our hands-on experience using a development version of the game.
Immediately after playing, one key impression stood out—this is an extremely busy game. The most reliable way to acquire Elpis is by defeating enemies, but in a relatively small map, encounters with rival teams are unavoidable. Naturally, players must act quickly, as they’re often chased or time runs short. Getting too focused on gathering Elpis can result in your team’s base (E-Sphere) being destroyed by rivals and losing all accumulated points.
Defeating enemies causes Elpis (purple crystals) to appear. The goal is to collect them and return them to your team’s base.
Deliver collected Elpis to your team’s base. After a successful strike, you gain temporary buffs such as increased movement speed.
The full map. Bases are adjacent to each other, making three-way conflicts inevitable. Enemies appear around the perimeter.
Moreover, every minute brings surprises—such as rare enemies appearing or supply drops—which constantly shift the situation. For example, a powerful enemy called “Elpisia” might spawn in the center of the map, causing all players to converge into chaotic battles (or more like foot-dragging contests?). The rankings change so rapidly that there’s often no time to check your position.
In fact, I only realized I had ranked first after the game ended—such was the pace of change.
When a player’s HP runs out, they become temporarily immobile and must re-enter from the base. HP recovers gradually if no damage is taken for a certain period.
The game includes a live commentary feature via voice, helping players stay aware of key events like “E-Sphere destroyed!” or “Elpisia has bloomed!”
Junichi Miki, development director Thumbnail image 015 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing
Although we only had time for two playthroughs, the experience was still thrilling and exciting—typical of a competitive game—but winning isn’t solely about fighting enemies. This unique aspect is what sets “OUTRANKERS” apart. In fact, it’s possible to win without ever battling rivals.
Overall, I believe this game is enjoyable because you must think strategically not only during battles but also in pre-battle team and skill composition—finding your own personal path to victory. With an auto-play feature for easy access and matchmaking with players of similar ranks, “OUTRANKERS” has been designed so that anyone who avoids competitive games can still have fun.
Team composition screen. You can use an “auto-select” feature to let the game choose characters and skills for you.
You can also fine-tune the AI teammates’ tactics.
Additionally, supporting ambassador Angela Mei participated in the beta test held in September and quickly rose to a high ranking, showing her early enthusiasm for the game. Supporting ambassador Rei Shimizu, who revealed her cosplay of character Rin at the official announcement event, was also drawn to the characters’ personalities. We asked both about their perspectives on what makes “OUTRANKERS” appealing.
Angela Mei and Rei Shimizu, supporting ambassadors Thumbnail image 012 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing
Angela Mei:
I’m not really good at competitive games. I have a resistance to hitting people, and in team-based FPS games, being the last survivor while everyone watches is something I truly dislike. But with “OUTRANKERS,” AI teammates and teamwork help reduce that pressure—and what’s even better is that defeating opponents isn’t the goal.
I really like Mizarii, who has slow movement but high power. Once she collects a decent amount of Elpis early in a match, I enjoy devising strategies—like using her emergency return ability just once per game to quickly get points and secure victory.
Angela Mei’s favorite character from the beta test: Mizarii Thumbnail image 013 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing
Rei Shimizu:
Of course, the characters are cute—but what I especially appreciate is that there’s more than just combat; there are character growth elements too. Since I cosplay myself, this really appeals to me. Each character has various outfits, including some quite sexy ones—collecting them becomes part of the fun!
My favorite character is Luster. In real life, he might be a bit intimidating—but since it’s fantasy, that works perfectly (laughs).
Rei Shimizu’s top pick: Luster. Definitely a unique personality! Thumbnail image 014 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing
Finally, we’ll now explain additional elements not fully covered in the hands-on report. Drawing from materials and presentations, we’ll delve into how many complex systems intertwine to form a richly detailed world—giving you a sense of genuine commitment behind this project.
Home screen: Enjoy conversations with your favorite characters Thumbnail image 016 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing
● Story & Worldbuilding
The setting is Earth several centuries in the future. After an unprecedented catastrophe, the surface became heavily polluted, forcing humanity to relocate underground. Elpis—the only remaining resource—becomes the focus of a dangerous mission called “Abyss Shift,” which all criminals (known as “Lankers”) imprisoned in Prison City are forced to participate in. These events are broadcast live and have become the biggest form of entertainment in the underground city.
For single-player mode, both main storylines and Lanker-specific stories are available. The former tells overarching world tales, while the latter delves into individual characters’ backstories. Both receive new content with each season, allowing players to deepen their understanding of “OUTRANKERS.” Completing seasonal challenges rewards players with exclusive items.
Story mode main screen—enjoyable offline. Learn about the entire story and character backstories.
Completing tasks like “defeating minor enemies” rewards players with consumable materials.
Prisoners (Lankers) can receive care packages. By sending in items obtained during gameplay, player affinity increases and unlocks new Lanker-specific stories.
Sending care packages boosts affection toward the Lankers. Preferences vary by character Thumbnail image 019 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing Thumbnail image 020 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing
A viewer mode is also available, allowing free exploration of the Lankers’ appearances. You can even change their costumes.
Thumbnail image 021 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing Thumbnail image 022 / “OUTRANKERS,” born from Yoshiki Okamoto’s YouTube project. Report on gameplay feel and game details after playing
● Character Customization via Skills & Gear
Each character has customizable skills in a skill tree format. By spending consumable items, players unlock deeper branches of the tree to enhance skill performance and gain additional effects. The choice of which paths to open gives each player’s character unique personality.
Additionally, reaching the final stage of the skill tree upgrades the character’s rank from Bronze → Silver → Gold, significantly boosting their skill power.
Each character has three distinct skills, each with unique traits.
Skill tree screen: Unlocking branches grants “Abilities” that enhance skill performance.
Ability equip screen: Offers numerous upgrades that boost character capabilities.
Gear, obtained via gacha mechanics, supports game progression. By consuming materials to level up gear, players can strengthen effects such as increased Elpis acquisition efficiency. Some gear also includes additional character costumes.
● Seasonal System
“OUTRANKERS” uses a seasonal system. Each season lasts approximately 7 weeks and features player rankings competing against each other during that period. At the start of a new season, rankings reset, new characters are introduced, and existing characters undergo adjustments or skill updates. A “Season Pass” allowing immediate access to new characters is also planned.
Win battles to aim higher
New character in Season 1: Claris. Has a skill allowing her to disappear for a limited time while still acting.
● Practice Arena
A training area similar to practice modes in fighting games is provided. Players can select their favorite characters and test skills, experiment with combinations, or refine execution—helping improve personal gameplay ability.
Practice freely with your chosen characters or enemies.
There are also technical elements, such as enhanced effects when combining multiple skills.
In summary, “OUTRANKERS” offers a unique blend—neither purely traditional nor entirely new—a fast-paced yet deep strategic battle experience.