Achievement Guide

Overview

Outbound supports Steam Achievements, as confirmed on its Steam store page. The game launches on April 23, 2026, and the full achievement list has not been published ahead of release. This guide covers the one achievement confirmed through demo data, outlines the categories most likely to appear based on the game's core systems, and offers tips for players who want to earn every achievement.

Because Outbound is a cozyvival game with no combat, its achievements are expected to revolve around exploration, crafting, building, farming, cooking, driving, and collecting rather than combat or PvP milestones. The game's Kickstarter stretch goals introduced several additional systems (fishing, beekeeping, kite flying, camping, dog companion) that are strong candidates for their own achievement chains.

This article will be updated with the complete achievement list, unlock conditions, and a full checklist once the game releases on April 23, 2026.

Confirmed Achievement

One achievement has been identified in demo data files from the Steam Next Fest February 2026 demo.

The Packrat achievement requires loading enough items into the camper van to fill 150 inventory grid slots. This indicates that the full game will include achievements tied to gathering and hoarding resources. Players who expand their van's storage capacity through the modular building system will have an easier time hitting this threshold, since larger storage configurations provide more grid space.

Expected Achievement Categories

The categories below are based on the game's confirmed systems and mechanics. While the exact achievement names and requirements remain unknown until launch, games in this genre consistently tie achievements to progression milestones within each major system. The following breakdown reflects what players can reasonably prepare for.

Exploration

Outbound's world spans four distinct biomes connected by a seamless open map with no loading screens. Exploration is one of the game's three core pillars (alongside building and crafting), making it a near-certain source of multiple achievements.

Likely achievement triggers:

• Visiting all four biomes for the first time

• Discovering every landmark in a single biome or across all biomes

• Climbing all signal towers to download the full set of blueprints

• Uncovering the entire map by driving through every region

• Finding hidden locations that are not marked on the map

Signal towers are especially important because they unlock new blueprints for the technology tree. Visiting every signal tower in the game would represent a natural achievement milestone.

Collectibles

Three confirmed collectible types are tracked in the player's journal and visible on the map. Collectible completion achievements are standard in open-world games and very likely to appear.

The journal tracks progress for each collectible type by region, so players can identify exactly which items they are missing. Bottle caps are a secondary collectible used as currency at vending machines. Accumulating a large number of bottle caps or spending a total amount could form separate achievements.

There are also paint booths scattered throughout the world that unlock new van color options. Finding all paint booths is another likely collectible-style achievement.

Crafting and Building

The crafting system and the modular building system are central to Outbound's gameplay loop. Crafting uses specialized workstations inside the van, while building lets players customize the van's interior, exterior walls, and rooftop.

Likely achievement triggers:

• Craft a certain number of unique items (e.g., craft 25, 50, or 100 different recipes)

• Unlock all blueprints in the technology tree

• Build a fully equipped van with all workstation types installed

• Place a set number of modular parts on the van (interior, exterior, rooftop)

• Use the recycling system to recycle a certain number of items

• Reach specific milestones in automation (e.g., set up your first automated process)

Farming and Cooking

Outbound's farming system uses mobile garden beds attached to the van, so crops travel with the player. The cooking system transforms raw ingredients into meals that provide better nourishment. Together, these two systems form a self-sustaining food production loop.

Likely achievement triggers:

• Grow and harvest a set number of crops (e.g., 50 or 100 total harvests)

• Grow every available crop type at least once

• Cook a certain number of unique recipes from the recipes list

• Cook a total number of meals (e.g., 50 meals prepared)

• Eat a meal in every biome

• Complete the full crop-to-meal pipeline without purchasing any ingredients

Fishing and Leisure Activities

Several leisure activities were funded as Kickstarter stretch goals. These include fishing (goal #4), beekeeping (goal #5), kite flying (goal #3), and camping (goal #2). Each of these activities has enough mechanical depth to support at least one or two achievements.

The mini-games and activities page covers all of these systems in detail. Players aiming for full completion should engage with each activity at least once early in their playthrough to start tracking progress.

Driving Milestones

The camper van is an electric vehicle with an odometer that tracks total distance traveled. Driving involves managing battery charge, monitoring motor heat, and navigating physics-based terrain. The odometer and the van's progression systems make distance-based and skill-based driving achievements very likely.

Likely achievement triggers:

• Drive a cumulative distance (e.g., 10 km, 50 km, 100 km on the odometer)

• Reach every region on the map by road

• Drive without overheating the motor for a sustained distance

• Customize the van's license plate

• Upgrade the van with solar panels or other power systems

• Use the fold mechanic to pack the van down for traversal through tight passages

Dog Companion

The dog companion was the seventh Kickstarter stretch goal. Players adopt a dog at the Paws & Whiskers Lodge, and the dog actively assists with gameplay by fetching items, alerting the player to nearby resources, and providing companionship during long drives.

Likely achievement triggers:

• Adopt your first dog

• Have the dog fetch a certain number of items

• Pet or interact with the dog a set number of times

• Travel a cumulative distance with the dog in the van

• Use a special Kickstarter cosmetic item on the dog (if applicable)

Multiplayer and Co-op

Outbound supports up to four players in online co-op. All players share the same van and work together to gather, build, craft, and explore. Co-op-specific achievements are common in multiplayer survival and crafting games.

Likely achievement triggers:

• Complete a co-op session with 2, 3, or 4 players

• Craft or build an item cooperatively (multiple players contributing resources)

• Explore a full biome with a co-op partner

• Drive a certain distance with a full party of four

• Host or join a set number of multiplayer sessions

Co-op achievements may or may not be required for 100% completion. Many games make multiplayer achievements optional for the base completion percentage. This will be clarified after launch.

Resource and Inventory

Beyond the confirmed Packrat achievement, the storage and inventory system and resource gathering are likely to have additional milestones.

Likely achievement triggers:

• Gather a total number of resources (e.g., 500 or 1,000 items collected)

• Collect every resource type at least once

• Expand the van's storage to maximum capacity

• Use the bio burner to convert organic waste into fuel

• Fill every storage container in the van simultaneously

Tips for Completionists

While the full achievement list is not yet available, the following strategies will put players in a strong position to earn every achievement efficiently once the game launches.

1. Explore thoroughly from the start. Drive through every road and path in each region. The map reveals collectibles (cairns, gnomes, paint booths, blueprint stations) as you pass through areas. Covering the map early saves backtracking later.

2. Visit every signal tower. Signal towers unlock blueprints for the technology tree. Downloading from all of them is both a likely achievement and a prerequisite for crafting every item.

3. Track collectibles by region. Use the journal and map filters to check which collectible types you have found in each region. Work biome by biome rather than hopping between areas to keep your progress organized.

4. Engage with every activity early. Try fishing, beekeeping, kite flying, and camping as soon as they become available. Some achievements may require cumulative progress over time, so starting early prevents a grind at the end.

5. Grow every crop and cook every recipe. Plant a wide variety of seeds in your mobile garden beds and experiment with the recipes list. Completing the full cookbook is a common achievement in games with cooking systems.

6. Expand van storage for Packrat. The confirmed Packrat achievement requires 150 inventory grid slots. Build additional storage containers using the building system to make this easier. Focus on storage modules early in your playthrough.

7. Play co-op at least once. If the game includes co-op achievements, having at least one multiplayer session early in your save will cover those requirements. Co-op sessions are drop-in/drop-out, so a friend can join briefly without disrupting your solo progress.

8. Adopt the dog companion. Visit the Paws & Whiskers Lodge and adopt your dog as soon as you can reach it. The dog provides gameplay benefits (fetching items, alerting you to resources) and likely has its own achievement chain.

9. Save bottle caps for bobbleheads. Bottle caps are used at vending machines to purchase bobblehead collectibles. Do not spend them on other items if you want to collect the full set for the dashboard display.

10. Keep the odometer in mind. The van's odometer tracks total distance driven. If driving distance achievements exist, regular road travel between camps and landmarks will accumulate progress naturally over a full playthrough.

Estimated Completion Approach

Without knowing the exact achievement list, it is not possible to provide a precise completion time. However, based on the game's scope and the systems described above, a rough framework can help set expectations.

Outbound is an open-world game with four biomes, multiple collectible types, a technology tree, cooking recipes, farming, fishing, and several stretch-goal activities. Games of this type and scale typically have 30 to 60 achievements covering a mix of story progression, system mastery, and collectible completion.

For a focused completionist run:

• A single thorough playthrough exploring all biomes, collecting all items, and engaging with every system should cover the majority of achievements

• Co-op achievements (if any) may require additional sessions with other players

• Cumulative achievements (total distance driven, total items crafted) will fill in naturally over a complete playthrough

• Missable achievements are unlikely given the open-world sandbox structure, since players can revisit any area at any time

The lack of combat and permadeath means there are no difficulty-based achievements to worry about. Outbound's cozyvival design philosophy suggests that every achievement should be earnable through patient, thorough play rather than skill-based challenges.

Pre-Launch Disclaimer

This guide was written before Outbound's April 23, 2026 launch. The only confirmed achievement is Packrat (from demo data). All other categories and triggers described above are informed predictions based on the game's confirmed systems, Kickstarter stretch goals, and press previews. The actual achievement list may differ. This article will be updated with the full, verified achievement list, exact unlock conditions, and a completion checklist once the game is available.