Outer Wilds

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 782 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 650 out of 782
  2. Mixed: 55 out of 782
  3. Negative: 77 out of 782

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  1. prosciutto
    Dec 31, 2019
    10
    masterpiece. in almost every aspect.
    the dumb reviewer that didn't played the game 'cause there were no savings and you have to restart from the beginning every time, clearly didn't played the game, because that is not the case.
  2. Holmstrom
    Dec 30, 2019
    5
    I really wish I enjoyed this game. There's definitely something there, but everything just feels so static and dead to me. The main menu music had me drawn in from the very first few bars, but aside from that I just didn't enjoy the ship controls, the uninspiring looking planets/moons, and how the game tells it's story.
  3. Vengie
    Dec 18, 2019
    10
    It started slow, forced myself quite a lot for first couple hours thanks to recommendations,
    and then it "ticked" - every system has a place, every thing has a purpose and a meaning
    After finished was not able to put it off my mind for a while. Alas you cannot forget it all and repeat the journey
  4. cyberdamn
    Dec 15, 2019
    9
    A beautiful and melancholic game.
    Pros: nice graphics, 3D space, somewhat realistic physics, ingenious story, amusing soundtrack and astonishing planets (one of them looks like the planet from interstellar and it's really blows your mind when you first visit it)
    Cons: the game is kinda short in some way, hehe; the story again, for some lamers it's too hard to understand
  5. 611Machine
    Dec 14, 2019
    10
    A masterpice. Truly a brilliant puzzle game with a smart story and beautiful ending. Love the music.
  6. kauexfirst
    Dec 7, 2019
    10
    **** This is so good... the soundtrack, with the right musics in the right moments, the feeling of not needing to explore but WANTING to do it. Simply amazing game. Thank you, Annapurna, for giving money to these incredibly talented people
    (just made me cry) 10/10.
  7. kyrylo
    Nov 19, 2019
    8
    Хорошая игра от Obsidian с неплохим сюжетом который действительно затянул.
    Здесь есть много юмора, неплохая графика и сам сюжет. Но есть несколько но, и это то что игра короткая, здесь мало выбора вооружения, куча бесполезных предметов, много скиллов которые тебе собственно и не понадобятся.
    В целом игра очень близка по духу к Fallout: New Vegas, большой потенциал но маленький мир.    Хорошая игра от Obsidian с неплохим сюжетом который действительно затянул.
    Здесь есть много юмора, неплохая графика и сам сюжет. Но есть несколько но, и это то что игра короткая, здесь мало выбора вооружения, куча бесполезных предметов, много скиллов которые тебе собственно и не понадобятся.
    В целом игра очень близка по духу к Fallout: New Vegas, большой потенциал но маленький мир.
  8. p1menta
    Nov 11, 2019
    10
    This is not a game. This is an spiritual experience.
    I went in to the game with no knowledge whatsoever about it, (as i usually do) and the first time i took off from the planet I nearly cried. Literally, my eyes started watering, and I couldnt racionaly understand why. I always had something about outter space, but that's a common subject for cinema and i hardly feel the same way in    This is not a game. This is an spiritual experience.
    I went in to the game with no knowledge whatsoever about it, (as i usually do) and the first time i took off from the planet I nearly cried. Literally, my eyes started watering, and I couldnt racionaly understand why. I always had something about outter space, but that's a common subject for cinema and i hardly feel the same way in million dollars budget movies.
    The OST, the sound effects, even the cartoonish visuals, everything blends so well, i dont even wanna describe it too much, even tho prob no one will read this, i dont even want the chance to spoil this to anyone.
    BTW: my 10 is actually a 9.9 or something like that, the only thing i didnt like about it, or at least i'd like to have differently, is that they could have put a free roaming mod, after you finish it.
    Annapurna created a real, and fantastic and interesting and deep little solar systen here, i wish I could play around it or even sit on the edge of an asteroid and see everything spinning around the Sun, without the time limit.
    maybe reunite the venturers around a campfire and just listen to one of the best songs i've heard in my life (and i'm not even talking only about video game soundtracks)    … Expand
  9. setuis
    Nov 2, 2019
    7
    firstly this review is for ps4 version.

    1 there is no way to lock spinning making flying stuff annoying when fixing pipe in mine/flying ship. 2 there is no way to gauge speed (releasing scouts and using scanner prevents you flying main ship from what i can tell. 3 no warning about random tornado engulfing me on landing destroying all progress except for keeping launch code. 4    firstly this review is for ps4 version.

    1 there is no way to lock spinning making flying stuff annoying when fixing pipe in mine/flying ship.
    2 there is no way to gauge speed (releasing scouts and using scanner prevents you flying main ship from what i can tell.
    3 no warning about random tornado engulfing me on landing destroying all progress except for keeping launch code.
    4 no fast travel that i have seen.

    This review may change.    … Expand
  10. cplcupcakes
    Oct 30, 2019
    10
    11/10 would recommend. This game is 100% worth the cost. It is well written, captivating, and immersive. You will not want to put it down once you start playing.
  11. Crescendo
    Oct 28, 2019
    10
    If you like and long for a first-person space exploration game that is shrowded in mystery, this is the game for you, as long as "no combat" is not an issue for you. I really want to stress how much this game succeeds in making you feel like an explorer of a very, very interestingly designed solar system.

    It needs to be said, however, that aside from perfectly statisfying said urge to    If you like and long for a first-person space exploration game that is shrowded in mystery, this is the game for you, as long as "no combat" is not an issue for you. I really want to stress how much this game succeeds in making you feel like an explorer of a very, very interestingly designed solar system.

    It needs to be said, however, that aside from perfectly statisfying said urge to explore and delve, the game covers not that many other bases. Sure, you have a few puzzles and dexterity challenges flying your ship, but it's mostly the joy of finding new puzzle pieces. You probably know best if this is a game for you - but if it IS, oh boy are you going to enjoy the experience.    … Expand
  12. Alex_Black
    Oct 27, 2019
    10
    This game is truly amazing. Feels like old style RPGs with all new fancy features. Game is something between fallout and borderlands. Can't say that this is something bad though.
  13. JustCallintz
    Oct 23, 2019
    10
    This game urges you to explore and feeds off of your curiosity with it's carefully crafted solar system that is teeming with creativity. It's an incredibly immersive experience with a story you that piece together yourself with close to no hand holding. It's up to you to discover things and find out what is happening.

    There is a groundhog mechanic where every 22 minutes you start a new    This game urges you to explore and feeds off of your curiosity with it's carefully crafted solar system that is teeming with creativity. It's an incredibly immersive experience with a story you that piece together yourself with close to no hand holding. It's up to you to discover things and find out what is happening.

    There is a groundhog mechanic where every 22 minutes you start a new cycle. While some people might find this annoying, it's core to the story and puts a sense of urgency on the player. There were many times I was on the verge of discovering something but fell short of time. So I got up, did it again, but maybe this time I found an easier way to get there, or maybe I discovered something new on the way. The only time it felt like a bother was towards end game, there's a certain thing that only happens at a certain time and you have to wait a while.

    The story is incredibly interesting with a fantastic ending... something that many titles struggle to get right. It doesn't spoon-feed you anything, nothing. How you gather information and understand what's going on is entirely dependent on how you explore the system, what you find first and how close attention you're paying. You'll have many "ah ha!" moments when figuring out something which makes for a very rewarding experience.

    The worlds, while small, are incredibly creative and interesting and packed with secrets. There will always be something in the distance that will catch your eye and urge you to explore. The worlds themselves are dynamic and change over the course of time making it all feel very alive.

    The K&M controls are wonky, I admit, but the game even tells you it's best played with a controller.. so.. you only have yourself to blame lol. The flight is great. While it's not on the level of a space flight simulator, it's more in depth than, say, NMS. It takes getting used to at first but once you realize that physics exists it's a cakewalk.

    Overall, it's near perfect in my opinion. The lack of hand holding makes it incredibly rewarding and omg the music is fantastic. The music also holds a subtle importance within the game but it's not made apparent at first. Outer Wilds is a very fulfilling experience and I urge you to play it blind, I was lucky enough to pick it up on a whim. My only real gripe with the game is I can never experience it for the first time again. It would never be the same on a second playthrough.

    Side note: I see a lot of negative reviews that seemed to have preconceived notions about the game and were surprised when they were wrong. I personally think it's unfair to a judge a game based on what you thought it would be rather than what it is. Also, saving? Well.. tbh why would you even need to save? Just get your suit on and go back to where you were. But I can understand people might find that frustrating. I see a lot of complaints about the pacing as well which doesn't make sense. The pacing of the game is solely dependent on you and how fast you explore. You can even finish it in the first time loop if you know exactly what to do. Idk, I'm biased, yes, but I feel a lot of these negative reviews are based on loose understandings of the game, but I'm not blind to know that it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea. Especially if you're used to having games tell you what to do and where to go.    … Expand
  14. Bondzberg
    Oct 10, 2019
    10
    One of the best games I have played this year. This is one of the few that managed to hold my attention from start to finish and kept me interested all the way through. Don't be scare from the low user score, most of these review just don't like the game for what it is, or it has to with the EGS exclusivity.
  15. chaconne
    Oct 6, 2019
    10
    Where else do you think you can become and feel like a space archeologist?!
  16. Aldrenean
    Sep 27, 2019
    10
    In a week Outer Wilds went from a project I had never heard of to my favorite game of all time. Beautiful, inspiring, challenging, mysterious, often breathtaking and even moving, it's simply the best game about exploration and discovery I've ever seen. The best comparison I have is the original trailer for No Man's Sky -- remember all the hope you had for that vision, because in exchangeIn a week Outer Wilds went from a project I had never heard of to my favorite game of all time. Beautiful, inspiring, challenging, mysterious, often breathtaking and even moving, it's simply the best game about exploration and discovery I've ever seen. The best comparison I have is the original trailer for No Man's Sky -- remember all the hope you had for that vision, because in exchange for a limited scope, OW manages to achieve every iota of that wonder and then more besides.

    My favorite moments in games are those when you discover a new mechanism, see a new vista, or figure out a puzzle, and there's a moment of pure awe and joy. They're few and far between, and yet this game is stuffed full of them. I wish I could wipe my memory to play it again. Before you die you owe it to yourself to experience this game.    … Expand
  17. greenstar
    Sep 21, 2019
    3
    Another critically hyped but boring to play game. If you don't like the first hour, get a refund because its just more of the slow-paced, control fiddly frustrating interface and rambling story that you might as well be playing a text adventure.
  18. Valorman2018
    Sep 13, 2019
    10
    I love this game so much I cried when it ended. I hope we get a spiritual success like a dark bramble game and you play as a nomai.
  19. Lezriph
    Sep 5, 2019
    10
    This game felt like a mix of pure art and a really polished game. I loved it and I am a bit sad that I finished it.
  20. Aatef
    Aug 4, 2019
    5
    Graphics and art style are very good
    but the controls, frustrating puzzles and dump saving system makes it below average for me
  21. JoeCh1p
    Jul 22, 2019
    10
    One of most interesting, thoughtful and beautiful games i have played in a very long time. Nothing is perfect which weirdly is also why i gave this game a perfect score, there wasn't a single point in playing this game that i ever thought about putting it down and not finishing the story., it was the complete opposite i couldn't stop.

    Without spoilers, did i find some of the mechanics    One of most interesting, thoughtful and beautiful games i have played in a very long time. Nothing is perfect which weirdly is also why i gave this game a perfect score, there wasn't a single point in playing this game that i ever thought about putting it down and not finishing the story., it was the complete opposite i couldn't stop.

    Without spoilers, did i find some of the mechanics hard to pick up, like ship flight? of course like everyone else here, but the craft stay true to physics in this game and once you get the hang of it, its very enjoyable beasting round a planet as fast as the little ship can carry you.

    And as far as the rogue like aspect, i simply think It's not an issue, i work and have a busy schedule and this game didn't feel like it was stealing my time in any way , yes there is some repetition but very little compared to how much people endure it in most games! This game does not reuse mechanics over and over again, it is very thoughtful about how it uses them and that is such a rare thing.

    I cant recommend this game enough if the trailer, story and mechanics intrigue at all then don't spoil it for yourself and play it, i'm so happy i did.    … Expand
  22. Wakanabi
    Jul 15, 2019
    10
    One of the most mind-blowing and logically involved puzzle/platformers I've ever played. This game is up there with Myst on my all-time bests list for the genre. There are some difficult puzzles that took hours to figure out but it was worth doing on my own, and the space flight and platforming/physics are magnificent and never got old for me. Don't sleep on this one!!!!
  23. kennyzombie
    Jul 14, 2019
    10
    If The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask and Kerbal Space Programm had a child and Subnautica was its godmother (minus the crafting) this would be the beautiful, unique result. I never thought i would say this in my lifetime and it might not make sense but it doesnt have to to make this an amzing game! And that is all you need to know about Outer Wilds because the less you read about itIf The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask and Kerbal Space Programm had a child and Subnautica was its godmother (minus the crafting) this would be the beautiful, unique result. I never thought i would say this in my lifetime and it might not make sense but it doesnt have to to make this an amzing game! And that is all you need to know about Outer Wilds because the less you read about it before playing the more you will enjoy it.

    Technically the controls could be better and the grafic might be subject to taste but they are more then good enough to not get in the way of the amazing gameplay. So stick with it for the first few cycles and you will be as hooked as me.

    minor spoilers:
    If you ever get too frustrated to continue tinkering on your own there is the beautifully implemented ships log inside your spaceship. Then just fly into the sun or watch the solarsystem end in a beautiful supernova while thinking about what you learned and you will be back on track :D    … Expand
  24. Mandulum
    Jun 30, 2019
    9
    Favorite Thing: The world is brilliant; there is a ton of interesting things to see.
    Least Favorite Thing: Dark Bramble and the anglerfish. Very unfun.

    Date Completed: 2019-06-30
    Playtime: 15h
    Enjoyment: 9/10
    Recommendation: YES!
  25. strav
    Jun 29, 2019
    10
    This is the single best exploration game I've played in years. It is reminiscent of Myst in it's approach to discovering the lore of an ancient worlds while having none of the contrived puzzles - Outer Wilds is all about unraveling and making sense of what has been left in plain sight - like most ancient lore is. There are puzzles, but they are more about understanding the world around youThis is the single best exploration game I've played in years. It is reminiscent of Myst in it's approach to discovering the lore of an ancient worlds while having none of the contrived puzzles - Outer Wilds is all about unraveling and making sense of what has been left in plain sight - like most ancient lore is. There are puzzles, but they are more about understanding the world around you than deciphering a mad man's code. As for the exploration, I am reminded in Subnautica in how treacherous and astonishingly enticing the adventure is. Often times it is even more imaginative and precarious. The graphics are superb, sound is impeccable, story is well written, diverse, personal, the exploration is nerve grinding - just give this game a try.… Expand
  26. Blacknife
    Jun 27, 2019
    9
    Outer wilds is the type of game that rewards bravery and punishes those who dawdle. Playing this game feels like you are putting the last pieces together of someone else's puzzle. You never really know where you will end up in this game and it makes me love it.
  27. merqry
    Jun 27, 2019
    10
    One of the best games I have ever played. Great story and fascinating ending. Totally worth buying.
  28. ObiJuanDeanobi
    Jun 26, 2019
    9
    First game I've rated, but I had to tell people about Outer Wilds. This game is so beautiful and wondrous but unfortunately will be a sleeper for a lot of people and so I want to spread the word that everyone who likes games should try it. The magical mysterious worlds you explore will stick with you long after your done playing.
  29. JohnMalcolm
    Jun 25, 2019
    5
    The Good: You don't have to kill people. A lot of the story and art work are imaginative. Open world format.

    The Bad: You die a lot, and that always takes you to the same boring location, from which you have to repeat a lot of boring tasks very quickly to exploit your 30-minute shot at finding something new. It plays a lot like a 3D platformer with no chance to save your progress after    The Good: You don't have to kill people. A lot of the story and art work are imaginative. Open world format.

    The Bad: You die a lot, and that always takes you to the same boring location, from which you have to repeat a lot of boring tasks very quickly to exploit your 30-minute shot at finding something new. It plays a lot like a 3D platformer with no chance to save your progress after successfully completing a difficult sequence.

    The Ugly: The system of planetoids seems relentlessly grotesque, without much uplifting in the first week of play... which is as long as I could stand it.    … Expand
  30. sliderh2o
    Jun 24, 2019
    3
    The whole rinse and repeat thing is horrible for a video game. Doing the same thing over and over trying to figure out whats going on got really old, really fast! Horrible idea, would have been great if not for this game breaking mechanic.
  31. Volcano
    Jun 16, 2019
    10
    Confession, i pirated the game. Mainly because it looked weird, cartoonish and not much action from previews; but i love space games. Boy oh boy, i fell in love after my first launch. I decided to buy it to support the devs and cast my vote to more games like this. It is amazing, felt like subnautica on space. Doo yourself a favor and get it. Most negative reviews here are either out ofConfession, i pirated the game. Mainly because it looked weird, cartoonish and not much action from previews; but i love space games. Boy oh boy, i fell in love after my first launch. I decided to buy it to support the devs and cast my vote to more games like this. It is amazing, felt like subnautica on space. Doo yourself a favor and get it. Most negative reviews here are either out of spite from launching first in the epic store or just dont have the patience for a game that wont let you shoot everything.… Expand
  32. Taylix
    Jun 21, 2019
    10
    One of the best exploration game I have played in recent time. if you played Subnatuica and you enjoyed its exploration and world building, this game is a must buy.
  33. DreadlordKillz
    Jun 20, 2019
    10
    This game is NOT for everyone, if you are reading this review I hope to give you an idea of whether or not it could be for you with this brief summary before my review.

    Play outer wilds if: You love to figure things out or explore interesting areas. You can live without guidance or control schemes. You don't mind dying You like timetravel/timeloops You love space or physics that    This game is NOT for everyone, if you are reading this review I hope to give you an idea of whether or not it could be for you with this brief summary before my review.

    Play outer wilds if:
    You love to figure things out or explore interesting areas.
    You can live without guidance or control schemes.
    You don't mind dying
    You like timetravel/timeloops
    You love space or physics that mimic reality
    You have a healthy level of curiosity to drive you.

    Don't play outer wilds if:
    You need specific instructions on how to play or progress in a game.
    You need to save the game without losing your place (you can pause).
    You hate dying in games (The game kills you quite often).
    You hate reading text in games.
    You don't like space or physics engines that mimic reality.
    You hate timetravel/timeloops
    You are apathetic about details/plot

    Outer Wilds is a special game for me, it is something I played the beta for a long time ago and knew then I would love. It has a charm and intelligent mystery about it that makes you want to explore and drives you on. It also seems to deliver a healthy amount of fear of the unknown which is always awesome. The game directs you vaguely, it rarely gives you exact locations and the directions it does provide are not typically simple to follow. For example it will tell you there is something on the south pole of a planet, but there is no way to know where that is without doing some recon. The best things about the game will also turn off a lot of people, the game feels like an N64 game for gameplay in a Xbox 360 graphical style with a plot that reminds me of old rpgs like FF7. I think a lot of what is great about this game is a nostalgic and adventurous feeling I get when playing it, it feels natural. Each iteration of the time loop I seek to learn something, anything that will bring me closer to understanding more about the solar system, the mysterious precursor alien race, or time loop itself. It is unforgiving at times, when gravity, or chaos, or the unknown causes you to either die or become stranded, but the game will teach you. Each time you grow and learn more, you will overcome the challenges you face by learning from your failures. Space is interesting, beautiful, unknown, and dangerous, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do.

    *The game is only available on the Epic store, however it should be available on steam next year. If you can't stand the Epic store you can hopefully check the game out in 2020.*    … Expand
  34. HisDivineShadow
    Jun 19, 2019
    2
    It begins quite novel, atmospheric, and interesting but eventually frustration from its signature feature, which is the lack of saving, starts settling in. There aren't *many* sequences that require precise execution, but you can often die or be set back permanently by a single wrong move. Controls are more unresponsive and annoying in some sections than in others. It's also pretty easy toIt begins quite novel, atmospheric, and interesting but eventually frustration from its signature feature, which is the lack of saving, starts settling in. There aren't *many* sequences that require precise execution, but you can often die or be set back permanently by a single wrong move. Controls are more unresponsive and annoying in some sections than in others. It's also pretty easy to miss something in the environment, or worse yet, in the UI (which is rather underexplained), and be stuck for a long time later. And among sequences that do require precision, the last one is especially offensive. It basically forces you to wait for nearly ten minutes doing literally nothing (with no option to speed it up), and then precisely execute a certain action. Mistime it a little - you you have to repeat it. And that's just 30% of that sequence, as it follows up with another section where a tiny mistake will reset everything. Moreover, that action you start the sequence with has a precondition that is so illogical and arbitrary that it threw everything good the game had out of the window. Its only justification could be "this is the final puzzle, so it must be annoying and hard". I don't think it's possible to figure it out without a guide, unless you are very lucky and decide to try it randomly or out of desperation, and it just happens to work the first time. I was so pissed off that i didn't even bother doing myself it and just just watched a youtube walkthrough. Which I'm actually glad I did, since it kept dragging on completely meaninglessly even after the final-final puzzle. So overall at its best moments the game felt like an 8 or maybe even a 9, but the frustration kept piling up, culminating in an atrociously bad ending section, leaving with a distinctly negative final impression.… Expand
  35. thegroundbelow
    Jun 17, 2019
    9
    I've been playing games for over 30 years now, and I've never played a game quite like this before. There are so many new concepts and mechanics, many of which are used to construct a solar system full of the craziest planets imaginable! Every time I save and quit for the day I want to go and babble to my SO about all of the insane things that I came across (or that happened to me) whileI've been playing games for over 30 years now, and I've never played a game quite like this before. There are so many new concepts and mechanics, many of which are used to construct a solar system full of the craziest planets imaginable! Every time I save and quit for the day I want to go and babble to my SO about all of the insane things that I came across (or that happened to me) while playing... like getting eaten by a giant lanternfish haunting the impossibly large inside of a tiny planet's core, or having a volcanic moon orbiting above spit out a blob of magma that then hit the tectonic plate I was standing on, dropping it and me into the black hole at the planet's center, only to be spit out of a wormhole a world away. Piloting your tiny ship, hopping out in deep space to make repairs, or just taking a big running jump and using your jetpack to literally orbit the entire planet you're on... it all just feels so fresh and right. I've laughed out loud in delight so many times while playing this!

    The story and writing are fantastic; I love discovering alien ruins and reading their conversations with each other in an effort to understand the fate of the solar system. After six hours of game play I'm just starting to get an idea of the problem and some vague hints that might lead towards a solution, but I know I've barely scratched the surface of all there is to discover.

    I'm taking off just one point for a couple of things that really kill performance (like trying to land on Giant's Deep), and because the one weak point of the gameplay is how easy it is to get stuck trying to move the story forward without a guide. There are just so many places to go and things to see - some of which can only be done at very specific times within the loop in which you're stuck - that it would require either a stupid amount of luck or WAAAAAY too much time and trial & error to find everything unaided.

    Still, this is a game that's trying just a stupid number of new ideas and concepts, and the fact that they made so many of them work so well is a testament to the team. I also really appreciate the fact that they're sending out product keys for both Epic Game store AND Steam to anyone who requested a steam key. They had to take Epic's money (and thus exclusive deal) to get the game done to their standards, but they understood the objections to that and did what they could to make it right. More companies should follow their examples.    … Expand
  36. KipEnyan
    Jun 15, 2019
    10
    A truly special experience. Go in as blind as you possibly can, and stick with it until the solar system fully opens up to you.
  37. gordon27
    Jun 15, 2019
    3
    I was interested in this game, but it wasn't what I expected at all
    It's fun for about an hour and then it loses steam and becomes a nuisance

    And for a game that looks no better than most 360/PS3 games, it sure is demanding I'd suggest you avoid this game or get it when it's available for $5, no more than that
    No man's sky is
  38. CritHelge
    Jun 15, 2019
    10
    To get the negatives out of the way: Yes, this title is an Epic Store exclusive. Against my aversion for this store, I bought the game and even got a 10€ discount from Epic for this purchase. I don't regret it at all. I was sucked into to story of this little solar system and enjoyed the world and the adventure in it. I was amazed and mystified by the creativity put into the unique placesTo get the negatives out of the way: Yes, this title is an Epic Store exclusive. Against my aversion for this store, I bought the game and even got a 10€ discount from Epic for this purchase. I don't regret it at all. I was sucked into to story of this little solar system and enjoyed the world and the adventure in it. I was amazed and mystified by the creativity put into the unique places you could travel. I have never seen or played anything like this game.

    This game is not easy and you will fail repeatedly along your way. It won't hold your hand and guide you to the next point of interest. This is however, in my opinion, what an adventure is all about.

    This game has an amazing art style and it music is so good that I am listening to the playlist while writing this review.    … Expand
  39. Dikano
    Jun 14, 2019
    1
    The mouse sensitivity on PC is absolutely fukked. The input options have minimal effect, so for those of us who don't like high sensitivity aiming, controlling the camera is absurdly difficult.

    The game looks nice, but this is the first time - ever, I think - that I simply cannot play a game that I bought because the control scheme is busted. It's a real shame.
  40. Saisuke
    Jun 14, 2019
    10
    This game made me feel like a kid exploring a very interesting playground, I haven't felt this good and comfy about exploring a game in a while. In the middle of rehashes and games that don't bring anything interesting to the table, this was refreshing. Sure, it's not for everyone, but it is a game that feels like it had a lot of love and dedication poured into it. If you don't like theThis game made me feel like a kid exploring a very interesting playground, I haven't felt this good and comfy about exploring a game in a while. In the middle of rehashes and games that don't bring anything interesting to the table, this was refreshing. Sure, it's not for everyone, but it is a game that feels like it had a lot of love and dedication poured into it. If you don't like the idea of exploring or space and you aren't patient then this is definitely not for you. Otherwise, try it, it might be your next big experience, I know it was for me.… Expand
  41. Colinde
    Jun 14, 2019
    9
    Performance is the biggest issue with this game. Even with a decent machine, i have constant stutter and frametime issues. Setting the graphics settings to lowest, does not yield any noticeable performance gains. I decided to play on max settings though, as there literally where no difference in performance between the two extremes.
    This is marring an otherwise shiny gem of a game.
    It    Performance is the biggest issue with this game. Even with a decent machine, i have constant stutter and frametime issues. Setting the graphics settings to lowest, does not yield any noticeable performance gains. I decided to play on max settings though, as there literally where no difference in performance between the two extremes.
    This is marring an otherwise shiny gem of a game.
    It would have been a 10 if it weren't because of the performance problems.
    Remember, mystery-open-world-exploration games are not for everyone, so the score is for those who are.

    I left a much more detailed review on the Steam Community page for the game.    … Expand
  42. Oconell
    Jun 14, 2019
    9
    Outer Wilds is simply put one of the most engaging exploration games I've ever played. The game starts slow, explaining the mechanics of all the tools at your disposal, but after about half an hour you are given the freedom to explore anywhere on the Solar system and it's where the game starts to shine.
    There's no main objective or quest, it's a game driven by the player and the    Outer Wilds is simply put one of the most engaging exploration games I've ever played. The game starts slow, explaining the mechanics of all the tools at your disposal, but after about half an hour you are given the freedom to explore anywhere on the Solar system and it's where the game starts to shine.
    There's no main objective or quest, it's a game driven by the player and the world-building. There are a few great twists that help it ascend over many other games that try similar things. There's no hand-holding, and although it's difficult to put it in one specific genre, I'd say if you've ever played Myst, or any of its sequels, you'll probably enjoy it. That being said, don't expect overly complex puzzles. Most of the puzzles are more about understanding the world than about solving mechanisms.
    Overall a splendid game, full of places to explore and one of the more original titles in recent memory.    … Expand
  43. Idiota150
    Jun 13, 2019
    0
    You can't quit when you want and continue at another time. In other words, really stupid save system. I don't have time for that kind of BS.
  44. Jonnyginntonic
    Jun 12, 2019
    10
    Wow, this game was incredible. It has been a very long time since an exploration game felt this rewarding and challenging. Honestly, this game belongs right along side of Myst. The world building and game mechanics are beautifully tied together to create an experience seldom achieved in video games. This game should not be missed it is an absolute gem!
  45. AnotherRookie
    Jun 11, 2019
    9
    This was a stunning, weekend filling adventure.
    The only big issue i had, was keyboard controls but i solved this problem with a programmable mouse button. Still some jumping puzzles were really hard and punishing if you took a wrong step.
    The solution to the riddles are not obvious, but if you managed to find the hints scattered across the solar system, they are. This makes exploring,    This was a stunning, weekend filling adventure.
    The only big issue i had, was keyboard controls but i solved this problem with a programmable mouse button. Still some jumping puzzles were really hard and punishing if you took a wrong step.
    The solution to the riddles are not obvious, but if you managed to find the hints scattered across the solar system, they are. This makes exploring, as well as solving the puzzles very rewarding. The game itself gives you hints, what places you should investigate further, if there is still crucial information for you to be gathered there. So you can't get really stuck in the story.
    I guess the art style is up to taste, but the planets and points of interest on these planets are fantastic, bizarre, interesting,.. whatever you can think of!
    Really one of the best games i played in a while, to sum it up.    … Expand
  46. cryfcad
    Jun 10, 2019
    10
    The game along with its music is a true work of art, a product of true genius.
    I'd recommend to not read much about the game but play it instead, you really don't want to miss any of the great moments the game provides.
    The game has an exceptional design, the celestial bodies and what you'll see on them is just genius. The story is great. The mechanics in the game and the physics are    The game along with its music is a true work of art, a product of true genius.
    I'd recommend to not read much about the game but play it instead, you really don't want to miss any of the great moments the game provides.

    The game has an exceptional design, the celestial bodies and what you'll see on them is just genius. The story is great. The mechanics in the game and the physics are superb.

    The user score (currently at 6.7) is so under rated that it almost makes me loose faith in humanity and our ability to appreciate a masterpiece when you see one, or in this case play and listen to one.

    I can only recommend everyone to play it and give it at least 30 minutes before you decide to give it a pass and get a refund. That is what I almost did at the beginning and it would had been a great mistake.    … Expand
  47. kenmorechalfant
    Jun 10, 2019
    10
    One of the most interesting and immersive games I've ever played. Very unique.
  48. ShiArch
    Jun 8, 2019
    9
    A truly hidden gem. You are ready to go from start and the progression comes in form of knowledge. Really unique game. Gave it 9/10 as it could have included more explanation of certain fundamentals like ship computer and some sort of navigator. I know the game doesn't want to hold your hand but at some point you may have to youtube the solution. Better give a occasional navigator thatA truly hidden gem. You are ready to go from start and the progression comes in form of knowledge. Really unique game. Gave it 9/10 as it could have included more explanation of certain fundamentals like ship computer and some sort of navigator. I know the game doesn't want to hold your hand but at some point you may have to youtube the solution. Better give a occasional navigator that works like every respawn once.… Expand
  49. Hurrikhan
    Jun 7, 2019
    4
    There are several issues in the game but the one that killed it for me is the awful fish-eye perspective.
    That and I never had a reply from support about the issue.
  50. 6ftninja
    Jun 6, 2019
    10
    If you're here and you haven't read what this game is or does yet, don't. Just try it for yourself and refund if it's not your thing. Coming into it blind has made it one of the best gaming experiences I've had this year.
  51. Christen10
    Jun 6, 2019
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I just found out that my name is Christen fjduhdjjdjdkdjdkfngnjfjdbhdhdjjdndjdjdjdjdjjfjfjdbfjfjndjfjfjfjfjfjfhfhdudhdhhfhdhudhdhdhdhfhfdhfhfjhehgujfufhdjjdhdhdhdjdjfhhdhhfhfhfhdhhf… Expand
  52. Marty_1
    Jun 6, 2019
    9
    Some people who have ps4 and cant play this give it low rates !! Keep calm and play ! its a cool game !!!
  53. macpaddy
    Jun 4, 2019
    10
    I think the game is beautiful, and the designers have done a very good job. It's an incredible indie game, and I kind of understand why the developers chose to grab that exclusivity deal with Epic on PC. Although I don't agree with practices like that, I do understand why they did it. Definitely one of the best adventure games in recent times, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoysI think the game is beautiful, and the designers have done a very good job. It's an incredible indie game, and I kind of understand why the developers chose to grab that exclusivity deal with Epic on PC. Although I don't agree with practices like that, I do understand why they did it. Definitely one of the best adventure games in recent times, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys adventures, space and reading.… Expand
  54. marcelodamm
    Jun 4, 2019
    10
    This is a fantastic game. It's a space exploration game but instead of a universe, it's just a star system. A very weird one, with very unique planets. And the sun is gonna explode. Soon.
    The small planets make for a very dense and interesting experience, made even more interesting by different traversal systems.
    You see, there's a learning curve. At first jumping seems janky, flying is    This is a fantastic game. It's a space exploration game but instead of a universe, it's just a star system. A very weird one, with very unique planets. And the sun is gonna explode. Soon.
    The small planets make for a very dense and interesting experience, made even more interesting by different traversal systems.
    You see, there's a learning curve. At first jumping seems janky, flying is unwieldy... but once you get the hang of it you'll effortlessly jump/fly across valleys, gorges, and the surprisingly vertical planetary environments. This movement system makes the time loops less of a problem, as with some planning you can reach anywhere in the star system really fast.
    The low tech/cartoony look of the characters remind me of Abe's odyssey, (but if it bothers you it can be easily ignored as you won't come across many npcs).
    It's a non violent game. You don't shoot rocks. No survival elements, no crafting, no loot boxes, no microtransactions. Not a walking simulator.
    Highly recommended, great game.    … Expand
  55. The_Eleatic
    Jun 3, 2019
    10
    This is very nearly a perfect game: beautifully designed and executed, intelligently written, and engaging from beginning to end.

    The setting is a miniature solar system in which the planets are subject to something like realistic orbital mechanics. Each planet may be small - on the scale of hundreds of meters in diameter - but together they offer up a wide variety of dynamic and    This is very nearly a perfect game: beautifully designed and executed, intelligently written, and engaging from beginning to end.

    The setting is a miniature solar system in which the planets are subject to something like realistic orbital mechanics. Each planet may be small - on the scale of hundreds of meters in diameter - but together they offer up a wide variety of dynamic and visually striking environments. At moments, the imagery is breathtaking.

    The aesthetic is stylized, but consistent - and consistently appealing. (I'm tempted to say: "you know, like a game published by Annapurna.")

    The game-play mechanics are well crafted: navigation - in ship or in suit - and walking work smoothly, and all the tools the player has available function as they should.

    As for the writing, this game should be held up as the very model of how to integrate a tight, coherent narrative into an open-world setting. You really can explore in any direction and in any order you like, following one line of clues or another. All the clues fit together, though, and all lead to the same place . . . when you're ready for them to do so.

    The clues left behind by long-dead alien visitors provide a glimpse into their lives and hopes and loves - and their disagreements as to how far their experiments should go - without ever being heavy-handed about it.

    In terms of story and game play, the 22-minute loop has a lot of appeal. Most of the time, it means you can be really relaxed about exploration, knowing there will always be another loop ahead of you. Sometimes, though, it gives you license to take outrageous risks in exploration, burning all your bridges behind you, confident that you'll be back at the launch pad at home soon enough.

    ----

    Postscript: The thing about the controls is that this is one of the few space-based SF games that takes Newton's laws of motion seriously: you know, an object in motion remains in motion, and so on. If you hit one thruster, your ship starts moving in that direction . . . and keeps going in that direction unless you counteract it with another thruster. If you hold your finger on the button for a thruster, you will continue to accelerate in that direction.

    It also takes seriously the law of gravity: if you are near a planet, you will start accelerating toward that planet unless you counteract that acceleration with a thruster blast in the opposite direction.

    Most other SF games with a flying mechanic seem to assume that spaceships in a vacuum work just like airplanes in an atmosphere. They don't.

    So, yes, the controls in Outer Wilds take some getting used to, but they are manageable with practice. Also, the developers have included an autopilot and a velocity-matching mechanic that can help you out of tight spots . . . though sometimes you do have to abort the autopilot if it plots a course through the sun. There is no substitute for your own judgment in such situations.    … Expand
  56. Taliz
    Jun 3, 2019
    9
    Fantastic game. A space adventure done right. It takes place in a small solar system so the amount of planets to explore is limited, but every planet (and space station) is filled with interesting things to discovery.
    Even tho I got it with Epic discount, there's enough content to make it worth a full price purchase.
    I've read comments about people complaining about controls, but I    Fantastic game. A space adventure done right. It takes place in a small solar system so the amount of planets to explore is limited, but every planet (and space station) is filled with interesting things to discovery.
    Even tho I got it with Epic discount, there's enough content to make it worth a full price purchase.

    I've read comments about people complaining about controls, but I feel like they were well done. Moving in space isn't as easy as it is on our planet, it takes a bit of time to get used to 0g, but the game even gives you a button to match the speed of an object so I don't really understand what they have to complain about on that matter.

    I only have 2 complaints:
    1) It would have been cool if they added more dialogues with the inhabitants of your home planet. Even just a "WE ARE ALL GONNA DIEEEEE" would have sufficed for SOME of them. Instead you get to talk with them normally even if you know in less than half a hour everyone is gonna be dead.
    Basically the only dialogues that change with your game progress are with the first inhabitant you see when you wake up and with the other adventures (and even then it's quite limited what changes).

    2) I'm not really too fond on events happening on a certain time span. The loophole thingy is fine, but adding the fact that you can only reach certain locations in the first X minutes or the last Y minutes is a bit infuriating at times.

    Overall I rate it 9/10, I'm not a fan of space games but this one was really well done.
    If you feel lost, try to look for clues in the computer of your ship, or by talking with adventurers.    … Expand
  57. Vasot
    Jun 3, 2019
    3
    Awful cartoony graphics, bad controls, missing dialogues the planets are tiny and the physics are a joke the game is just a mess t it should cost around $10 it's overpriced for a 2019 title even No Man's Sky is a better game from this. This is like a game made for 10 year old kids and it's a very poor attempt i refunded
  58. tibzoid
    Jun 1, 2019
    4
    Ugh the controls are terrible and the kiddie style is so off-putting. Got a refund.
  59. lconquerorl
    Jun 1, 2019
    10
    Great story with great music, wanna play sequel!
    Imho this is best game of season (or year ^_^ )
  60. 123wil812
    May 31, 2019
    10
    I highly recommend this game, It an incredible and unique experience. The game is filled with interesting and engaging mechanics and lore on top of a beautiful art style.
  61. sh4dow
    May 31, 2019
    6
    What a shame. I find the idea of those small planets that kind of work like Russian dolls incredibly charming. As well as the overall whimsical presentation. Music, although rare, is great too (Some bits sound like folksy post rock. Very interesting and enjoyable...).
    But the mechanic of a time limit of 22 minutes per run has lead to a lot of frustration for me. One too many times, I    What a shame. I find the idea of those small planets that kind of work like Russian dolls incredibly charming. As well as the overall whimsical presentation. Music, although rare, is great too (Some bits sound like folksy post rock. Very interesting and enjoyable...).
    But the mechanic of a time limit of 22 minutes per run has lead to a lot of frustration for me. One too many times, I FINALLY managed to get to a place that I wanted to go to, only to be caught by the time limit and ending up with yet another "There is more to explore here" note in my ship's log. (Everything you discover is stored in your ship's log permanently).
    And so I've decided that I won't put up with it any more. Especially since at least personally, I didn't find the story too engaging. It takes itself way too seriously compared to the otherwise cartoony nature of everything. And I don't really care about that mysterious alien race that died out and some weird "Eye of the Universe". What did speak to me was uncovering new areas and things (which are all really well designed) on the various planets. But as already mentioned - the time limit ruined that experience for me.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best PC Game of 2019
18
#18 Most Discussed PC Game of 2019
1
#1 Most Shared PC Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. GameCritics
    Aug 20, 2019
    65
    Outer Wilds is rife with breathtaking sights and sounds, and at the very least, no one could accuse it of being unambitious. Mobius Digital may be a small team but, almost paradoxically, they achieve a remarkable sense of scope by keeping things modest. However, their work suffers from the glacial pace of progress and a hands-off approach to storytelling. My biggest issues – a lack of combat, direction, or material rewards – are obviously deliberate, bold choices on the part of the devs, and I commend Mobius for them while also chiding the cold, inscrutable product that resulted. I admire Outer Wilds, but I don’t love it.
    Read full review
  2. Games.cz
    Aug 19, 2019
    90
    This temporally unique game adds something new with your every death and moves the story forward beautifully. The environments are breathtaking, the music will soothe you. This is the perfect game for those of you who are, above all, curious.
    Read full review
  3. Adventure Gamers
    Jul 26, 2019
    80
    For those who won’t be deterred by the endless deaths and time-looped backtracking in Outer Wilds, its intriguing mystery and non-linear exploration of an entire solar system will be a novel and deeply engaging experience.
    Read full review
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