I remember the first time I played Outlaws, thinking I could just power through the main storyline and call it a day. Boy, was I wrong. About fifteen hours in, I found myself repeatedly failing at this one particular firefight sequence, and it dawned on me - I was playing it wrong. The game was subtly nudging me toward these optional challenges, these little tests of skill that weren't mandatory but absolutely transformed the experience once I embraced them. It's like the difference between eating plain toast versus having avocado toast with everything seasoning - both will fill you up, but one turns breakfast into an experience worth savoring.
That's when I started paying attention to what the game calls "additional abilities" - though I prefer to think of them as secret weapons for becoming an absolute ace player. Take this one time I was sneaking through a restricted area, heart pounding as I dodged patrols, when I remembered there was this challenge to take down three enemies using only environmental hazards. Instead of my usual stealth approach, I lured them toward these explosive barrels. The resulting chain reaction not only cleared my path but unlocked this slick new takedown move I didn't even know existed. The game never forced me to do it, but completing that challenge felt more satisfying than just progressing the main story.
What's fascinating is how these challenges work like little personal quests you set for yourself. I'd be in the middle of a hectic firefight, bullets flying everywhere, and part of my brain would be tracking this secondary goal - like landing three consecutive headshots while moving or using a specific weapon type I normally ignore. It changes how you approach combat, making you more creative and experimental. I found myself trying things I never would have attempted otherwise, and you know what? I discovered I'm actually pretty good with weapons I'd previously written off as "not my style."
The real magic happens when these challenges lead you off the beaten path. I can't count how many times I've been chasing some obscure challenge objective only to stumble upon these breathtaking vistas the developers hid away. There was this one evening - must have been around my 22nd hour in the game - where I was trying to complete this photography challenge (yes, the game lets you take pictures!), and it led me to this hidden waterfall cave with ancient carvings that told a story completely separate from the main narrative. I spent a good forty minutes just exploring that area, completely forgetting about whatever mission I was supposed to be doing.
Now, I'll be honest - not every challenge is a winner. There are maybe two or three that felt more tedious than fun, like collecting 50 of some random item scattered across the map. But here's the thing - you can completely ignore those if you want. The beauty of this system is its flexibility. I'd estimate about 85% of these optional objectives genuinely enhance your gameplay, while the remaining 15% you can safely skip without missing much. It's like a buffet where you only take what looks delicious to you.
What surprised me most was how these challenges made me better at the game without feeling like grinding. By the time I reached the final boss, I'd unlocked maybe 70% of these additional abilities, and the skills I'd developed along the way made what should have been a brutal fight feel almost manageable. I wasn't just relying on better gear or higher stats - I'd genuinely improved as a player. My reaction times were sharper, I was more creative with my approach to combat, and I'd mastered movement techniques I didn't even know existed when I started playing.
The developers clearly put a lot of thought into making these challenges feel organic rather than obligatory. They're woven into the gameplay so seamlessly that you might not even realize how much they're shaping your experience until you look back. I remember specifically there was this one ability related to hacking that the story makes you unlock, but then I discovered four other hacking-related challenges that were completely optional. By completing them, I went from barely understanding the hacking minigame to becoming this digital ninja who could bypass security systems in seconds flat.
If I had to pinpoint the single biggest benefit of engaging with these challenges, it would be how they transform the game's 30-hour runtime from a linear experience into this dynamic playground where every session feels unique. Instead of falling into repetitive patterns, you're constantly mixing up your approach, trying new tactics, and discovering hidden corners of the game world. It's the difference between reading a book once versus revisiting it and finding new layers and meanings each time. Even now, after finishing the main story, I find myself returning to Outlaws just to tackle the remaining challenges I skipped - and discovering new wonders each time I play.
