Outernauts sets players in the shoes of an Outernaut, which is kind of like an astronaut, but one out to do more than just explore the galaxy. Outernauts seems to have a leg up on the competition where other similar games fall flat: story, environment and combat.

By JOe Osborne From games.com

Outernauts sets players in the shoes of an Outernaut, which is kind of like an astronaut, but one out to do more than just explore the galaxy. It's the Outernauts' job to capture various alien beasts and study them in hopes of bringing them closer to an ancient alien artifact. Of course, another organization known as Sludge Co. is after the very same relic, but for nefarious reasons, no doubt.

This mission to beat Sludge Co. to the artifact spans numerous planets, all presented in a charming '50s art style not found in too many Facebook games much less games at all. Just like in Pokemon, people settle their disputes using the alien beasts they've captured for study, which come with a number of interesting abilities to use in battle. While the game's many environments employ light puzzles to make navigating the world a bit more interesting, the battles are where its at.

When players encounter Sludge Co. goons, they'll get to do battle in up to three versus three bouts. Since each alien beast has four attacks to choose from, many of which pack extra status effects, its pays to learn what each attack does. Players can set up an enemy monster for destruction using their various alien beasts' abilities in conjunction. It's this type of strategy that games like Pokemon do so well, and other Facebook games in the monster-catching sub genre have failed to.