Hypnospace Outlaw

 PC
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 63
  3. Negative: 16 out of 63

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  1. GlitchesBrew
    Mar 27, 2019
    10
    A beautiful love letter to a bygone era. Clever puzzles, good writing, and characters you can really connect to through their websites.
  2. johngorenfeld
    Apr 5, 2019
    10
    Flat-out brilliant '90s satire with a big heart. This thing is so great. Full of dreams and disappointments from the Windows 98 era. But what lifts it above being a hipster vaporwave parody is that it has so much empathy for its characters. Also there is an Linkin Park/Evanescence piss-take that got stuck in my head for days until I had to go create a Genius lyrics page for itsFlat-out brilliant '90s satire with a big heart. This thing is so great. Full of dreams and disappointments from the Windows 98 era. But what lifts it above being a hipster vaporwave parody is that it has so much empathy for its characters. Also there is an Linkin Park/Evanescence piss-take that got stuck in my head for days until I had to go create a Genius lyrics page for its unintelligible verses.

    DECK STACKED LIKE THE BEST OF 'EM. I TRIED LIKE THE REST OF THEM.    … Expand
  3. neozeed
    Mar 29, 2019
    10
    HSO is not only a throwback to a simpler time, but a callout to the dogpiling of the current outrage culture. You play as an enforcer, a user above others with the power to censor and ban others, not arbitrarily though, but through corporate guidelines. This really speaks to the current morality through corporate values that plagues the internet at the moment.
    Behind the nostalgic    HSO is not only a throwback to a simpler time, but a callout to the dogpiling of the current outrage culture. You play as an enforcer, a user above others with the power to censor and ban others, not arbitrarily though, but through corporate guidelines. This really speaks to the current morality through corporate values that plagues the internet at the moment.
    Behind the nostalgic looking pages, wrapped in simple digital music, low resolution gif’s and low-quality video, download managers, antivirus programs, popups and desktop pets is a world that you get to enforce your narrow and arbitrary corporate morality onto the people. And it has consequences. Things happen people revolt, others are dog piled, and even forced off the network.
    The casino gulag is a real thing in this game as you have an actual Pavlovian stimulation combined with casino payout for enforcing the corporation’s morality. After you are done turning in friends and family for coin, you can turn the coins in for fabulous rewards like stickers, wallpapers, sound themes and music.
    The absolute dystopia of HSO cannot be understated.
    Just as you may decide to look the other way when people break said current corporate morality standards, rest assured your other enforcer peers will not relent, and again consequences will happen.
    If you don’t feel anything but hypocritical for doing the job and how it evolves then you are too wrapped up in the coins, glitzy pages and snappy tunes to realize what you are doing.
    There are genuine people behind these pages, just as the actual content was hand created by a person. There were no shortcuts you can see from the devlogs that this was all hand crafted. Sadly, it shows that when you lower the bar to being abusive people abuse. If anything, it just speaks to us as a society on how poorly we handle this interconnected world, and how polarized we make it.
    It’s an engaging game if you don’t get distracted by the incredible polish of the in game UI/OS. It’s skinnalbe, themeable with aforementioned stickers, wall papers, a media player, hidden music downloads, piracy and even larceny! Just like the real thing! But the larger lesion is that getting your morals from profit driven corporations only makes you the stooge. I’d dare say there is a further unsaid religious lesson going on, but I’m sure that’s up to the individual.
    10/10 simply for the world building, the UI and the aesthetic. Everything else is an added bonus.    … Expand
  4. itsmejop
    Mar 26, 2019
    9
    Fantastic. Gamifying an operating system is the best possible way to bring back those specific types of experiences that many of us had back in our halcyon days of old. I love what No More Robots is trying to do here, and I'd love to see this to continue to expand as far as it can be taken.
  5. Karunamon
    Mar 24, 2019
    9
    This game scratched a nostalgia itch I didn't even know I had. What we have here is basically a love letter to the internet of the 1990s, complete with period-accurate webpage design and some distressingly accurate riffs on the kind of e-drama you'd expect back then. Under construction gifs and midi music? Ahhh.. brings me back to my days of Internet Explorer and Windows 95. They totallyThis game scratched a nostalgia itch I didn't even know I had. What we have here is basically a love letter to the internet of the 1990s, complete with period-accurate webpage design and some distressingly accurate riffs on the kind of e-drama you'd expect back then. Under construction gifs and midi music? Ahhh.. brings me back to my days of Internet Explorer and Windows 95. They totally nailed the aesthetic.

    The only reason this game is not rated a 10 is the story itself is quite short. I completed it start to finish in about 5 hours, and after the story is done, there's very little reason to explore further unless exploring is your thing (it just isn't for me). Maybe we'll see DLC in the future if we're lucky.

    All in all a great little game and worth the purchase price.    … Expand
  6. tt30guy
    Mar 25, 2019
    10
    Absolutely fantastic game. Not only is it nostalgic and all that, but it's so well crafted. There were multiple moments when I felt genuine emotions for the characters you see on the site. It's tongue in cheek, but it always feels genuine. I can already tell that this is going to be one of my all time favorites.
  7. curzon_dax
    Sep 11, 2019
    7
    It starts well, however the execution of the idea could be better in terms of puzzle/case structure. Namely, various puzzles/cases are structured so chaotically that it may become annoying solving them not because it's inherently hard but mainly because the way of thinking of the designer might had been weird. or because it may have had a lot of grinding.
    OK, it could be considered an    It starts well, however the execution of the idea could be better in terms of puzzle/case structure. Namely, various puzzles/cases are structured so chaotically that it may become annoying solving them not because it's inherently hard but mainly because the way of thinking of the designer might had been weird. or because it may have had a lot of grinding.
    OK, it could be considered an 8/10 but I have to give it a more modest score to differentiate it from a category that means "definitely great". What is certain is that you will either LOVE it or at least find it INTERESTING.
    Sidenote: It's a fine game but when I hear that it's a faithful recreation of the internet back then I do not agree by far. I did live through that era, as an adult, and on the internet, and it was clearly not that silly. Sure, there were pages like the silliest examples here but in no way they were a majority. In fact the majority of users up to ~2000 were computer nerds or literal computer professionals so the most "comic sans-esque" pages were usually laughed at. In fact, the trendiest web page type for a long time was simple html with very little images, but in any case, the most flashy examples were usually laughed at. This game can be excused of course, because it doesn't literally show the internet but a bastardized limited version of it manipulated by a corrupt company so I'm only referring to those calling it faithful to the internet era.    … Expand
  8. A4G
    Jul 28, 2022
    9
    I simply adore this game's aesthetic! While choosing not to provide multiple diverse facets in its gameplay (which is really the only big thing holding this game back for me), this game manages to excel on all other fronts. Super charming and very funny game with a variety of characters that you gain attachment to simply through viewing their pages.
  9. ChoicestGames
    Feb 27, 2020
    9
    If you ever dabbled with Geocities back in the 1990s or just experienced Web 1.0 in general, you'll want to get this game. However, even if you weren't alive when the World Wide Web was in its infancy, you'll find an immersive detective game in the same vein as Papers, Please or Hacknet, with compelling characters, real dilemmas, along with themes that still resonate today. HypnospaceIf you ever dabbled with Geocities back in the 1990s or just experienced Web 1.0 in general, you'll want to get this game. However, even if you weren't alive when the World Wide Web was in its infancy, you'll find an immersive detective game in the same vein as Papers, Please or Hacknet, with compelling characters, real dilemmas, along with themes that still resonate today. Hypnospace Outlaw is a great experience in its own right and with so much of Hypnospace to explore, it should keep you entertained for a while – provided you can tolerate garish webpages and annoying MIDI files … Expand
  10. ZoRDoK
    Dec 28, 2021
    9
    This will be nothing for you if you are millenial or zoomer. It is strong nostalgic for early Internet websites and that cosmic and intimate feeling of connection with other talented people who can revolutionize this world. It's a tragic story overall, so buy this game if you prepare to crying, not only taking fun.
  11. Chucklenut
    Mar 29, 2020
    9
    You are a volunteer enforcer for Hypnospace, an online Geocities-esque forum that can only be accessed while asleep. You're tasked with removing rule violations, malicious software, and generally protecting Hypnospace from abuse . As a moderator, you have greater privileges than the average user, though you cannot post or directly interact with other Hypnospace denizens, and thus have aYou are a volunteer enforcer for Hypnospace, an online Geocities-esque forum that can only be accessed while asleep. You're tasked with removing rule violations, malicious software, and generally protecting Hypnospace from abuse . As a moderator, you have greater privileges than the average user, though you cannot post or directly interact with other Hypnospace denizens, and thus have a unique viewpoint as you watch the game's story unfold, indirectly influence by your actions.

    A story-driven puzzle/detective game disguised as an early-internet moderation simulator. Fun, charming, and incredibly original. A game you can tell was made with love for the genre and source material. Something you should play if only because it's the only game of it's kind.    … Expand
  12. jesterlind
    Aug 10, 2019
    10
    This game is a wonderful experience for someone who wants to feel the nostalgia of the early days of web browsing and home computer use.
  13. Kittidroid
    Apr 21, 2020
    9
    I normally hesitate to give games such a high score, but Hypnospace Outlaw manages to create a world. that feels alive via amazing writing and experience with it's topics. The aesthetics, puzzles, story telling and ESPECIALLY the music all combine to create an experience that feels genuine - as if it could exist on its own without your presence. My only critique is that one particularI normally hesitate to give games such a high score, but Hypnospace Outlaw manages to create a world. that feels alive via amazing writing and experience with it's topics. The aesthetics, puzzles, story telling and ESPECIALLY the music all combine to create an experience that feels genuine - as if it could exist on its own without your presence. My only critique is that one particular section did grind on my nerves quite a bit. Despite this, I wish I could go back in time to experience this game and its many storylines for the first time again - I'd recommend to anyone who likes puzzles or very in-depth storytelling.… Expand
  14. gamingwportal
    Jun 27, 2020
    9
    really fun. game is quite short and can be challenging at times. but the atheistic is amazing and the jokes stick. highly recommend.
  15. Agentep99
    Sep 9, 2023
    9
    Hypnospace Outlaw does something really special that almost no other game does: Be a story that only a videogame could tell. And it is a great story, it can be hilarious in one moment, and make you want to cry in the next.
    A great soundtrack too. Some tracks really sell the setting of " goofy 90s internet" with some music that could probably pass as real 90s productions such as satellite    Hypnospace Outlaw does something really special that almost no other game does: Be a story that only a videogame could tell. And it is a great story, it can be hilarious in one moment, and make you want to cry in the next.
    A great soundtrack too. Some tracks really sell the setting of " goofy 90s internet" with some music that could probably pass as real 90s productions such as satellite orchestra and the entire Seepage catalogue.
    Incredible Game 9/10    … Expand
  16. CaplessMario
    Dec 9, 2020
    1
    Let me be honest with you but, this is not what you think, at least for me. This is one of the most uncomfortable experiences I have ever had. Believe me here, DO NOT buy this game if you don't like to be uncomfortable. The viruses, the apps, and more, just makes you really uncomfortable. 10/100
  17. CakeJampbell
    Mar 3, 2021
    10
    I get lost in this game if you can call it that! Its more of an experience, a piece of art, a nostalgic memory. Its great!
  18. Scarletti420
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    This game is absolutely fantastic, the writing is great, the humor is dumb and I love it, the music is really good, and I was just really having a lot of fun with this game. The ending even got me kinda emotional, I would 100% reccomend this, might not be everyone's thing but I adore it
  19. ContemptEnjoyer
    Sep 21, 2022
    9
    This game is so detailed. I have spent well over 15 hours just going through the websites and learning about the world and characters.

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best PC Game of 2019
40
#40 Most Shared PC Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. CD-Action
    Nov 16, 2020
    90
    This point’n’click adventure game set in a computer system is a brilliant and beautiful homage to the late ‘90s, when the Internet was a fascinating, messy eyesore. If you feel at least a bit nostalgic about that time period and what the Internet used to be back then, you absolutely need to play Hypnospace Outlaw. The only flaw I found in the game is that its story feels rushed. [11/2020, p.68]
  2. Adventure Gamers
    May 13, 2019
    90
    Hilarious, intricate, and touching, Hypnospace Outlaw is a surreal, loving tribute to a younger, more innocent Internet as well as a compelling detective game.
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  3. CGMagazine
    Apr 9, 2019
    85
    Hypnospace Outlaw’s 90’s tinted internet exploration is spot on, but may be too specific for players who were not around to experience that particular time.
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