Thirith on 7/10/2019 at 07:55
While I've been playing Outer Wilds for a while now, it's only been the last two weeks or so that I've discovered how best to play it. Has anyone else here played it or is doing so at the moment? I'm finding that Outer Wilds may just be the best, most interesting, most original exploration game I've played in a long time.
I enjoy exploration in general, but so many games - even big titles like Skyrim - basically give you predictable things over and over, though with reasonably epic presentation. Outer Wilds, on the other hand, presents you with a relatively small solar system (what glorious gaming times we live in when a solar system is small), but its various planets have personality: the storm-torn giant, the hourglass twins, the cracked shell of a planet collapsing into the black hole at its centre...
What makes it work especially well, though, is the way the game's world is used to evoke emotions, of solitude and desolation, but also of small moments of hope and heroism. I have no idea how far I am in terms of understanding the underlying story and its mysteries, but this game is pulling me in much more than practically any story-heavy RPG I've played over the last decade or so.
So, are there any other explorers out there? Did you enjoy the game? What worked best for you?
Warning: It's too easy to spoil some of the game's most striking moments, so it may be worth using spoilers, in case anyone stops by who's interested in Outer Wilds but hasn't played it yet.
henke on 12/5/2020 at 20:54
I was a bit afraid to even read your post in fear of having anything spoiled. (I did read it tho) Man, this game. Other sci-fi games just talk the talk on sci-fi concepts, this game will just simulate that shit and let you have your mind blown at your own pace.
Without getting spoilery: I've spent a lot of time at Brittle Hollow and have now started delving into Giant's Deep. I think I'm starting to piece together what's going on.
Folks, play this. It's goood. It's like... Return of the Obra Dinn-good. Indie games are pushing the boundaries these days while AAA stuff is just sticking to what's already been proven to work.
Starker on 12/5/2020 at 21:43
Quote Posted by henke
It's like... Return of the Obra Dinn-good.
Well, that got my attention. I was on the fence about supporting it when it first popped up on Fig and ultimately decided against it, because it looked way too ambitious for a student project and the money they were asking. And when it finally came out there was all that brouhaha with the Epic exclusivity and I'm not at a point where I trust Epic enough to get a lot of games on it, especially ones that are slated to come out on Steam later. I'm actually still sitting on my Phoenix Point key.
Renzatic on 12/5/2020 at 22:56
I'm gonna wait for it on the Switch, I think. It'll probably be the next game I buy after the Xenoblade Chronicles remake.
PigLick on 13/5/2020 at 00:52
I thought this was about Outer Worlds at first. Outer WILDS sounds cool kinda slipped under my radar.
demagogue on 13/5/2020 at 02:32
I can wait until June to get it on Steam, but it's on my short list.
Thirith on 13/5/2020 at 05:51
Heh. Glad you're enjoying it, henke! It took me a while to get into the right mindset to enjoy the game - at first I lacked the focus to really get into it - but once I did I'd definitely say it was one of the most original, heartfelt games I've played in a long while... or indeed ever. It won't click with everyone, but if you want to explore, figure things out for yourself and have a game that doesn't hold your hand, this is it. I hope that some other devs will take a lesson or two from Outer Wilds; I think that e.g. RPGs could stand to learn from this one.
Noclip has a lovely documentary on the game, though I'd recommend only watching it after playing Outer Wilds:
[video=youtube;LbY0mBXKKT0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbY0mBXKKT0[/video]
Sulphur on 13/5/2020 at 05:54
And let's not forget the soundtrack!
I fell in love with this and then promptly forgot about it. Maybe that explains a few things abou...anyway, this thread reminded me that I need to finish it, and I'm bumping it up on my to-play list after Ni No Kuni and Yakuza Kiwami 2.
Renzatic on 13/5/2020 at 06:13
Quote Posted by PigLick
I thought this was about Outer Worlds at first. Outer WILDS sounds cool kinda slipped under my radar.
Ditto, to the point I only now just realized it's NOT the Outer Worlds.
Though now that I've read a bit more on Outer Wilds, it sounds even more awesome, and now I'm finding I'd rather play it.
Thirith on 13/5/2020 at 06:21
Noclip actually did documentaries on both games, Outer Wilds and The Outer Worlds, and they asked both teams about the other game, eliciting a few smiles. In hindsight, I suspect that both teams wouldn't have minded finding another title.