I want to talk about this game. I want to delve in with all my friends. But I also don’t want to spoil anything for those who haven’t played. Because that would be tragic. The entire point of the game is to gently gather clues and progress at whatever rate suits the player. It’s a bit confusing at first. Difficult to maneuver. Aimless. But after a while some semblance of direction emerges, and clues lead to other discoveries and so on and on. There is very little pressure, though some things require speed or patience or just precise timing. Figuring out where to employ any of those tactics is part of the fun!
The game is beautiful: aesthetically, emotionally, thematically. The soundtrack repeats in my head all day on its various instruments.
I love the feel of a camping adventure which is apparently what the creator was going for. The feeling of being a small person in a large universe that does not revolve around the player like so many other games do. One has the choice to do anything, or nothing at all. I can roast marshmallows. Fly into deep space. Crash into the sun. The options are there and accompanied by “real” physics! It’s also lovely that the characters, being alien, don’t have human gender constraints and many – most – of them are referred to as they and them.
There are a few quibbles of course. It’s not easy to fly the ship at first. Or to land without damage. But it comes with time. (Don’t forget the “match velocity” feature!) I generally prefer third person POV, but I totally understand that first person is essential for the immersion of this game. I also would have preferred voice acting for the dialogue (not the translated texts though.) A timer would be nice, just to keep track. I can also see why this was not included: it adds to the mystery and immersion. Another thing that would have been welcome was a log that could be accessed via the suit when outside the ship. Again, I get how this adds to the immersion, but it was occasionally frustrating to have to return to the ship to check on a piece of information. None of these critiques made me love the game any less. Just observations really. I am aware that there are mods that address many of these, but I’m on console, so they don’t apply.
Have I mentioned the music? If you know me, you know that I love film, TV, and game scores. This one is so lovely and appropriate for the gameplay. It’s mostly jaunty and upbeat, but underpinned with melancholy. Each location has its own unique sound, and everything harmonizes wonderfully. I also love that a specific theme gently lets the player know when a certain repeated thing is about to repeat.
This might not be for you (or proceed with caution) if get motion sickness from games, or if you’re agoraphobic, acrophobic, claustrophobic, thanatophobic, thalassophobic, or ichthyophobic. Yes, that’s quite a list. Don’t look them up if you don’t know what they are, generally if you have that phobia, you’ll know what it’s called.
If you do decide to begin this game after my review, please do not resort to any how to guides or walkthroughs. This will rob you of the experience. Once you learn something, you cannot unlearn it. Instead, if/when you get stuck. Review your past actions. Try to find gaps. Would something work differently at a different time or a different angle? If needed, visit the Outer Wilds Reddit, and request hints. They are a helpful group that will not spoil the experience because they know its value.
Please play this wonderful, unique game. And come talk to me about it!
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