Outrider Mako is one of the most unique indie games to come out in a while.
Developed entirely by one person at Asamado Games and published by PLAYISM, this 2D top-down action game throws you into the Mayoi World, a gorgeous, hand-drawn pixel art realm where gods live, mononoke roam, and your job is to… deliver packages.
Yep, you’re basically a supernatural courier, and it’s way harder than it sounds.
The game blends action combat, exploration, and a delivery-based mission structure into something that feels unlike anything else out there.
It’s also surprisingly punishing if you go in blind.
So whether you just picked this up on Steam or you’re thinking about diving in, here are the beginner tips and tricks you need to know to survive the Mayoi World.
Complete the Training Room Before Anything Else
When you first start Outrider Mako, you’ll find yourself in the Bumon Delivery Center, which serves as your hub area throughout the entire game.
Before you rush off to start delivering packages, visit the training room.
This is where the game teaches you all the core mechanics like pouncing, kicking, using Red Nectar, and basic combat with your magic rod.
Take your time here.
The pounce mechanic in particular is going to be the foundation of everything you do in combat.
If you don’t fully grasp how pouncing, jumping, and applying nectar work together, you’re going to have a rough time once the real fights start.
Once you’re done with training, break the wooden fence at the top of the hub with your melee attack to progress and start your first delivery job.
Understand the Core Gameplay Loop
Outrider Mako follows a clear mission structure, and understanding the loop early will save you a lot of confusion.
You accept a delivery assignment from Mozu (the strange pig-like creature running the delivery center), then head out through the gate into a larger region filled with enemies, resources, and environmental puzzles.
Your goal is to collect the materials your client god has requested, things like crystals and other resources scattered around the map.
Once you’ve gathered everything, find a workbench to wrap the items into a proper package.
Then track down the god who placed the order and hand it over. After completing a delivery, you earn a seal stamp and a Divine Blessing as a reward.
Knowing this flow ahead of time means you won’t wander around aimlessly wondering what you’re supposed to be doing.
Master Red Nectar, It’s the Most Important Mechanic in the Game
If there’s one thing you absolutely need to understand in Outrider Mako, it’s Red Nectar.
This pink, gooey substance is the liquid form of energy in the Mayoi World and the backbone of the entire combat system.
When you pounce on top of an enemy and pour Red Nectar on them, it slows them down and weakens their defenses. The nectar can also spread to nearby enemies, letting you lock down entire groups at once.
Here’s where it gets really good: attacking an enemy with Red Nectar on their head performs a “smite” attack that deals significantly more damage.
This is your primary damage tool, so get comfortable with the pounce-nectar-smite combo early.
The key to keeping your supply up is playing aggressively.
Strong attacks generate more Red Nectar, so don’t play passively. Engage enemies head-on, spread nectar around on weaker foes, and use those kills to refuel.
One critical thing: Red Nectar dissolves quickly in the rain. Prioritize grabbing a Divine Blessing Talisman that negates rain’s effect on nectar as soon as one becomes available.
Learn the Differences Between Jumping, Pouncing, and Kicking
Outrider Mako gives you three distinct aerial movement abilities, and they all behave differently.
Jumping is your basic vertical movement for dodging attacks and navigating terrain.
Pouncing is the homing attack you use to land on top of enemies or objects and it’s how you position yourself to apply Red Nectar.
Kicking is performed while standing on top of something: point at another target and press attack to launch yourself toward it.
Each has different range and attack properties, and switching between them fluidly is what separates struggling players from thriving ones.
The pounce-kick chain in particular lets you bounce between enemies in quick succession, spreading nectar and dealing damage without ever touching the ground.
It takes practice, but once it clicks, combat becomes incredibly satisfying.
Don’t Sleep on Sub-Weapons, Stakes, and Beacons
Your magic rod and Red Nectar are your bread and butter, but Outrider Mako gives you plenty of additional tools that can make your life easier.
Sub-weapons like drills and throwing stars offer ranged and alternate damage options, and you can swap between them without opening the menu thanks to a recent update.
They can be tricky to aim at first, so experiment during easier encounters.
Stakes are objects scattered throughout each region that Mako can jump onto. They’re not just for traversal, you can use them offensively to reposition during fights and as an evasive tool to escape danger.
Learning to incorporate stakes into your combat flow adds a whole extra layer of mobility.
Then there are beacons, which you can purchase from the shop.
These drop Red Nectar reserves when placed, giving you a way to restock during longer fights.
They also function as traps that damage enemies who walk into them. If you’re heading into a tough delivery or boss fight, stock up on beacons.
They can genuinely be the difference between success and failure.
Choose Your Divine Blessing Talismans Wisely
After completing deliveries, you earn Divine Blessings that you can equip as talismans.
These grant passive bonuses like increased movement speed, higher item drop rates, or enhanced Red Nectar effects.
You can only equip three at a time, and they reset every time you enter a new region so you’ll need to find and re-equip them each time.
For early-game priorities, the talisman that grants Red Nectar for each enemy kill is an absolute game-changer.
It lets you farm enemies until your nectar supply is full.
The talisman that prevents rain from washing away your nectar is another must-have.
After those two, a movement speed boost is a solid third pick.
Since Blessings are randomized, you may need to explore thoroughly to find the ones you want, but it’s worth the effort.
Use the Workbench and Shop at the Hub Between Runs
The Bumon Delivery Center isn’t just where you pick up missions, it’s where you prepare for them.
Visit the workbench to craft consumables like elixirs and healing potions before heading out.
A recent patch halved the Red Nectar cost for synthesizing elixirs, so crafting is more accessible now than at launch.
The shop is also worth checking regularly.
Stock up on healing potions before difficult deliveries, and grab beacons if you can afford them.
After each run, bank extra materials at the ATM so you don’t lose them, a recent update lets the hub workbench access materials stored there for crafting, so you don’t need to carry everything on you.
Shop prices also no longer scale based on quantity purchased, so buy in bulk without worry.
Save Often and Use Multiple Save Slots
This one is critical.
Outrider Mako uses a manual save system with statue save points scattered across each region.
There is no auto-save.
If you forget to save and die, you’re going back to your last manual save, which could mean losing significant progress.
The good news is that a post-launch patch made saving at a save point fully restore your HP, so there’s no reason not to save every time you see a statue.
Make it a habit.
If you lose a boss fight, you can now retry with your inventory restored to what you had before the fight started, a huge quality-of-life improvement.
Also consider keeping backup saves when possible, as there have been occasional reports of save-related bugs in certain sections.
Boss Fight Strategies for Beginners
Boss fights in Outrider Mako pit you against enraged gods, and they can be intense.
These fights require patience, pattern recognition, and smart resource management.
Go in prepared.
Stock up on healing potions and beacons before entering a boss encounter, running out of healing mid-fight is the most common way new players lose.
Red Nectar and smite attacks are still your best damage tools against bosses, so make sure you have a good supply. If rain is a factor, equip the rain-negating talisman.
During the fight, focus on learning the boss’s attack patterns before going on the offensive.
Watch their movements, dodge with jumps, and only commit to pounce-nectar-smite combos when you have a clear opening.
Don’t get greedy with attacks because bosses hit hard.
And remember, the retry system restores your items if you lose, so treat your first attempt as a scouting run if you need to.
Explore Every Path in Each Region
It’s tempting to beeline straight for your delivery objectives, but thorough exploration pays off big time.
Each region has multiple branching paths leading to optional rewards like Divine Blessing Talismans, nectar wells where you can refill your supply, extra crafting materials, and hidden treasures.
Since Blessing Talismans are region-specific and disappear when you move on, the only way to get the best loadout for each area is to explore off the beaten path.
Nectar wells in particular are worth seeking out since they let you top off your Red Nectar before tough encounters.
The world Asamado Games built is packed with detail and secrets, so take your time and poke around every corner.
Final Thoughts
Outrider Mako rewards patience and experimentation.
The learning curve is real, but once you understand how Red Nectar, pouncing, and Divine Blessings work together, the combat opens up in a really satisfying way.
Keep your nectar flowing, save at every statue, stock up before boss fights, and explore every corner.
This is a labor of love from a solo developer who spent nine years crafting this world, and there’s a lot to discover if you stick with it. Happy delivering!
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Images in this article are from the Outrider Mako page on Steam and used under Fair Use.