Biomes

Overview

The world of Outbound is a seamless open world divided into multiple distinct biomes. Players traverse these regions by driving their camper van across the landscape with no loading screens between areas. Each biome features its own terrain, native vegetation, available resources, landmarks, and environmental conditions that directly affect energy production. Discovering a new biome unlocks unique materials and provides fresh environments for temporary or permanent camps.

Two biomes have been publicly revealed and are playable in the beta: The Outdoors and The Coast. The full launch build includes two additional biomes beyond these two, whose names have not yet been publicly confirmed as of May 11, 2026. Early marketing materials mentioned terrain ranging from "lush forests to arid deserts," suggesting a wide variety of environments in the finished game.

Biome Comparison

The table below summarizes the two confirmed biomes and their defining characteristics.

The Outdoors

The Outdoors is the starting biome and the first region every player encounters. It has been playable since the closed alpha in April 2025 and is the setting for the free Steam demo. The terrain consists of lush forests, wide-open plains dotted with wheat fields, and gently rolling mountains that frame the horizon. The level design feels natural and hand-crafted, with branching paths and hidden areas that reward curiosity.

Several major landmarks are scattered throughout The Outdoors. The Fire Lookout sits at an elevated point and offers a sweeping view of the surrounding landscape. The Tree Hut is tucked among the forest canopy. Sunbeam Acres Farm occupies a stretch of fertile land where crops and pastures are visible. Lilly's Windmill stands on the plains, its blades turning in the wind. Each of these landmarks is a point of interest where players can discover blueprints and story details.

The biome also contains 23 Signal Towers, tall structures that players can climb or interact with to download new blueprints for their workbench and build menu. These towers act as progression markers, guiding players through the region while unlocking new crafting options.

For energy generation, The Outdoors is versatile. Open plains with unobstructed sky are well suited for solar panels. Higher elevations and ridgelines provide consistent wind for turbines. The forests supply plentiful lumber for the bio burner, making it a reliable backup during overcast conditions or at night.

The Coast

The Coast is the second biome, added in the October 2025 beta build (v0.7.6) and first revealed during the Gamescom Xbox show. It introduces a dramatically different environment compared to The Outdoors, combining tropical shores with rugged coastal geography.

The terrain transitions from sandy beaches lined with palm trees to rocky cliffs overlooking the sea. Just inland from the shore, forests of gigantic redwood trees tower above the undergrowth, creating a striking contrast between the open coastline and the dense woodland. The scent of fresh fruit and salt air welcomes players as they enter the region.

The most prominent landmark is an old lighthouse perched atop the coastal cliffs. It is a focus for navigation and is visible from a considerable distance. Beach coves, tidal rock formations, and winding coastal roads give the area a distinct sense of place that sets it apart from the inland regions of The Outdoors.

The Coast provides strong conditions for water-based energy generation. Rivers and streams flowing toward the shore support hydro generators, while the persistent sea breeze makes wind turbines highly effective along the cliffs and open headlands. Solar panels also perform well on the sunny beaches, though coastal weather can be unpredictable, with sudden rain and cloud cover reducing solar output.

Unrevealed Biomes

The developers at Square Glade Games have confirmed that the full release will include biomes beyond The Outdoors and The Coast, but have not yet named or detailed them. Early promotional materials referenced terrain types such as deserts, suggesting that arid landscapes may appear alongside the forests and shores already in the game. No specific biome names, landmark lists, or resource breakdowns have been released for any unannounced regions.

As additional biomes are revealed or become playable, this article will be updated with their details.

Biome-Specific Resources

Each biome contains resources that are unique or more abundant in that region. This design ensures that no single area provides everything needed for full progression, making the act of driving to new biomes a gameplay necessity rather than an optional detour.

In The Outdoors, players find plentiful wood from the dense forests, along with berries, rocks, and metal scraps scattered across the plains. The Coast introduces different flora and materials tied to its tropical and coastal environment. As players unlock new crafting recipes from Signal Towers and landmarks, they will discover that certain recipes require materials only found in specific biomes, creating a natural incentive to travel.

Energy Conditions by Biome

The energy system is one of the central ongoing challenges in Outbound, and biome choice plays a major role in determining which energy strategy works best.

Environmental variety ensures that different regions reward different energy strategies, creating natural incentives to adapt the camper van's configuration as players traverse the map.

Weather Variation

Each biome has its own weather patterns that affect gameplay, atmosphere, and energy production. The Outdoors experiences a temperate cycle of clear skies, overcast periods, and rain. The Coast tends toward more unpredictable conditions, with sudden rain, sea fog, and gusty winds that shift throughout the day.

Weather directly impacts energy output. Solar panels produce less during overcast or rainy periods, making it important to have backup sources like wind turbines or a bio burner when traveling through regions prone to cloud cover. Wind turbines benefit from stormy conditions and the persistent coastal breeze. Players who plan their energy setup around the weather patterns of each biome will have a smoother journey.

Seamless World Design

One of Outbound's defining features is its seamless open world. There are no loading screens, fast travel menus, or hard borders between biomes. Players simply drive their camper van from one region to the next, watching the terrain, vegetation, and atmosphere gradually shift as they cross into new territory. This design reinforces the road-trip fantasy at the heart of the game and keeps exploration feeling continuous and uninterrupted.

The transitions between biomes are gradual rather than abrupt. Forests thin out as the terrain slopes toward the coast, trees shift from deciduous to redwood, and the ground changes from grass and dirt to sand and rock. The ambient soundscape adjusts as well, with birdsong giving way to crashing waves and seagull calls.

Map Discovery

The in-game map starts mostly blank and reveals itself as players explore. Driving through new areas uncovers the terrain, landmarks, roads, and resource locations on the map. Signal Towers also contribute to map revelation: interacting with a tower reveals a portion of the surrounding area. This fog-of-war approach encourages organic exploration rather than following waypoints, rewarding players who venture off the beaten path.

Tips for Biome Travel

• Before leaving a biome, stock up on its unique resources. Materials that are common in one region may be scarce or unavailable in the next.

• Diversify your energy setup. Relying on a single source leaves you vulnerable when conditions change between biomes.

• Visit Signal Towers in each biome to unlock region-specific blueprints and reveal more of the map.

• Check the weather before a long drive. Stormy conditions reduce solar output but boost wind generation.

• Explore thoroughly. Branching paths and hidden areas often contain valuable resources, story details, and blueprints that are easy to miss if you stick to the main roads.