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Overview
Outbound uses the term "cozyvival" for its approach to survival. Players manage hunger, health, and the camper van's battery power. There is no permanent death. When survival needs are neglected, the consequences are time-based slowdowns rather than progress-erasing penalties.
Hunger
Hunger depletes over time and through physical activity. Eating raw berries or plants provides a small benefit (a few points). Cooked meals restore far more: Bread restores 22 Hunger, Pizza restores 32. An empty hunger meter reduces movement speed and work efficiency. Some demo players have noted that hunger and health feel similar in practice, with overlapping consequences.
Health
Health is lost through environmental hazards like falling from heights. It does not regenerate on its own. Herbal Tea (crafted at the Cooking Pot from 1 Water + 2 Herbs) restores 22 Health. Mushroom Soup also restores 22 Health. Preparing healing supplies before long exploration trips is a practical habit.
Van battery
The van's battery powers all workstations and automated systems. If it runs empty, production stops until energy generation catches up. The Bio Burner can be manually refueled with Fibre or Lumber for emergency power. Battery management is the closest the game comes to traditional survival pressure.
Design philosophy
The developers have been explicit that Outbound is not meant to punish. The survival mechanics provide structure: hunger encourages cooking, health encourages caution during climbing, and energy management encourages strategic thinking about power sources. But none of these systems can ruin a run. The game is designed to stay relaxing even when things go wrong.