Exo One

Intriguing and startlingly original, Exo One offers a quiet, meditative experience that's both foreign and mysterious.

83%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

91% User Score Based on 5,438 reviews

Critic Score 73%Based on 7 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $16.99

Buy NowGet on Steam $16.99 Buy NowGet on itch.io Store $16.99 Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store Buy NowGet on Epic Games Store

About

Exo One is a single player platformer game with mystery and science fiction themes. It was developed by KrisWB and was released on November 18, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Exo One is a single-player, exoplanetary exploration game where you pilot an alien craft capable of manipulating gravity.

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,438 reviews

story294 positive mentions

grinding30 negative mentions

Beautiful visuals and immersive atmosphere that create a unique experience.
Satisfying movement mechanics that allow for exhilarating speed and exploration.
Calming soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

Very short gameplay, typically around 2-3 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
The story is vague and can be confusing, with unskippable cutscenes that disrupt the flow.
Limited replayability due to the linear nature of the levels and lack of a level select option.

story
1,286 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
69%
8%
The story in "Exo One" is often described as cryptic and vague, leaving players to piece together its meaning through fragmented dialogue and atmospheric hints. While some appreciate the minimalist approach and find it thought-provoking, many others feel the narrative is confusing, lacking coherence, and at times intrusive to the gameplay experience. Overall, the story serves more as a backdrop to the game's stunning visuals and engaging mechanics rather than a central focus, leading to mixed feelings among players regarding its effectiveness.
- “The game's minimalist storytelling approach leaves room for interpretation and introspection, adding a layer of depth and intrigue to the overall experience.”
- “Its seamless blend of exploration, flight mechanics, and atmospheric storytelling creates a harmonious and immersive experience that lingers in the mind long after the journey ends.”
- “The chill vibes of rolling around on a planet and the melancholy of the story really struck a chord with me.”
- “The story is there but it doesn't really do or add much to the game.”
- “The story is difficult to follow.”
- “In my opinion, if you're going to create a story, you owe it to customers to make it a coherent one, and this is probably the least coherent story I've ever seen in a video game.”
gameplay
1,064 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
The gameplay of "Exo One" is characterized by its simple yet satisfying mechanics centered around gliding and rolling through beautifully crafted alien landscapes. While many players appreciate the relaxing and atmospheric experience, some find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth, with limited mechanics that do not evolve significantly throughout the game. Overall, it offers a unique blend of exploration and physics-based movement, appealing to those who enjoy a chill gaming experience, though it may not satisfy players seeking more complex challenges.
- “The gameplay mechanics of Exo One are a delicate balance of exhilarating flight, precise maneuvering, and gravity-defying traversal that make every moment in the Exo One spacecraft a thrilling experience.”
- “Its seamless blend of exploration, flight mechanics, and atmospheric storytelling creates a harmonious and immersive experience that lingers in the mind long after the journey ends.”
- “The gameplay is simple, but refreshingly unusual.”
- “What I think they are going for is you simply drop in and follow some kind of path that leads to what you see in the trailers (effortlessly gliding and satisfyingly bobbing through the environment), but if you accidentally go slightly off course you end up blindly seeking out where you "should be" but nearly zero indicators on where that is or even given mechanics to get there at all.”
- “The gameplay itself is boring at best and frustrating at worst - nowhere is that pacing you're waiting for that you saw from the gameplay videos, never found are the spots of simple complexity or skill-based play.”
- “The game feels great, has amazing visuals with even better atmosphere scenarios, but it is completely ruined by the repetitive and boring gameplay loop.”
graphics
774 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
30%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their breathtaking beauty and immersive quality, often described as stunning, surreal, and reminiscent of high-quality art. Players appreciate the unique visual design, dynamic weather effects, and atmospheric soundtracks that enhance the overall experience, although some note that certain textures can appear rough or basic. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
- “The game's visuals are a symphony of beauty and mystery, with otherworldly environments, dynamic weather effects, and surreal vistas that evoke a sense of cosmic grandeur and exploration.”
- “Stunning visuals, immersive sound design & music - the most basic controls yet delivers the most satisfying experience any explorer of the cosmos could want.”
- “The visuals are stunning and breathtaking, the story is cryptic but the more you play and listen to it, the more you start to understand what has happened, and the game feels so nice to control.”
- “The graphics are pretty basic tech-wise but are really striking anyway, especially when you're blasting through it at lightspeed.”
- “The textures and graphics on a lot of the later maps is just lazy and sad, the controls are heavy and frustrating at times especially around dense areas.”
- “I gave it a shot for the visuals and I suppose I got what I expected out of it, but it has a pretty bad case of indie-game-itis.”
music
770 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its beautiful, atmospheric quality, often described as calming and immersive, enhancing the overall experience of exploring stunning alien landscapes. Many players noted the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotions, with comparisons to cinematic and post-rock influences, although some expressed a desire for more frequent and varied musical elements throughout gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's relaxing and contemplative atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack is gorgeous and the tidbits of the Jupiter disaster coming full circle with the gravity machines time loop felt very cathartic.”
- “The visuals and music are like a dream.”
- “The music is incredibly well composed and relaxing.”
- “Music is very underwhelming; it's ambience with eerie melodies, it was not my jam.”
- “The problem with the soundtrack is that there's not enough of it.”
- “I do wish that there was more music in the game to help push the grandness of the game.”
atmosphere
406 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
77%
22%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, immersive sound design, and relaxing ambiance, creating a captivating experience reminiscent of cinematic masterpieces like "2001: A Space Odyssey." Players appreciate the seamless blend of exploration and atmospheric storytelling, which evokes a sense of wonder and tranquility, although some note that the gameplay can become repetitive. Overall, the game is celebrated as a unique atmospheric journey that invites players to unwind and reflect in its beautifully crafted environments.
- “Its seamless blend of exploration, flight mechanics, and atmospheric storytelling creates a harmonious and immersive experience that lingers in the mind long after the journey ends.”
- “A breathtaking yet relaxing atmosphere.”
- “Beautiful, immersive atmospheres and sound... the movement is mesmerizing... and I particularly love that it's about discovery.”
- “The game feels great, has amazing visuals with even better atmosphere scenarios, but it is completely ruined by the repetitive and boring gameplay loop.”
- “The atmosphere was okay, and it was pretty, but strip all that away and you've got a pretty boring game.”
- “Those pictures flashing in your face while you are having fun with the beautiful scenery are really breaking the mood and atmosphere.”
replayability
146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
7%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting its short playtime of around 2 hours and limited incentives for multiple runs, such as a lack of alternate paths or endings. However, some find enjoyment in mastering controls, achieving faster times, and exploring vast levels, suggesting that while replay value exists, it may diminish after a few attempts. Overall, the game offers decent replayability for those who appreciate its mechanics and visuals, but it could benefit from additional content or modes to enhance long-term engagement.
- “However, the replay value in getting faster, more efficient times or just mastering the controls in general to fly across levels is incredibly satisfying, so if excellent visuals and good game feel are up your alley, then these criticisms won't keep you from enjoying Exo One for a few evenings.”
- “A full playthrough is about 1.5-2 hours, took me 85 minutes on the first try, but there's plenty of replay value trying to get faster times, which is really what I'd recommend buying the game for.”
- “This game is super replayable, very fun, and very well designed.”
- “Zero replayability value.”
- “Limited replayability: once you've completed the game, there's not much incentive to go back and play again, as there are no alternate paths or endings to explore.”
- “It literally takes 2 hours to beat the game and there is 0 replay value.”
emotional
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional aspect of the game has garnered mixed yet profound responses from players, with many expressing unexpected feelings of joy, wonder, and even sadness throughout their experience. While some criticized the story and controls, they still found themselves deeply engaged and moved, often attributing their emotional responses to the game's atmospheric music and visuals. Overall, it appears to be a unique experience that resonates on a personal level, leaving players with a lasting emotional impact despite its simplicity.
- “Overall... it made me feel something... something profound and beautiful...”
- “This game was an emotional roller coaster that changed the meaning of life for me.”
- “I cried not only from the story, but from the fact that it was over.”
- “Forces a boring story down your throat.”
- “Garbage controls, clunky movement, boring story, ridiculously bad and horrible voice sounds.”
grinding
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
17%
75%
The grinding aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players finding the gameplay tedious and repetitive, particularly in later levels. While some stages offer distinct experiences, a significant number feel directionless and frustrating, leading to a sense of monotony that detracts from the overall enjoyment. Overall, players suggest that the grinding can be overwhelming, often requiring excessive time investment without sufficient reward.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding is not fun at all in a game like this; in the end, I felt mostly frustrated and annoyed.”
- “Besides the first two levels, everything felt tedious, and I decided I couldn't play anymore realizing that I wasn't getting paid to play this.”
- “Some stages were just needlessly tedious with no real sense of purpose.”
optimization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end devices. While some users report smooth performance on higher-end rigs, others note stuttering and low frame rates even on decent hardware, suggesting that optimization is lacking overall.
- “Apart from that, the game is very well made, runs smoothly and is very responsive.”
- “Performance/fun: 9/10”
- “PC performance 60fps (my rig: Ryzen 5800H | RTX 3060 mobile (6GB) | 16GB RAM)”
- “The optimization is simply nonexistent; this game gets 63 fps on medium-high settings with my 3060 Ti and it looks like a default Unity game.”
- “Lots of stuttering when loading LOD.”
- “The performance might suffer on older systems.”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
12%
63%
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting no significant glitches or technical issues, particularly on high-end systems and the Steam Deck. However, some users have experienced occasional bugs, such as flying out into space and losing control, which can disrupt gameplay but are often considered manageable due to the game's enjoyable nature. Despite these minor setbacks, the game is noted for its smooth performance and polish.
- “And for anyone wondering, this game runs great on Steam Deck despite the warnings.”
- “Runs great at 4K on my 1080 Ti.”
- “Encountered no glitches to speak of; works fine.”
- “However, I have run into a couple of glitches where I fly out into space and can never come down, having to reset, but the game is so satisfying that I don't mind restarting the level at all.”
- “There are, of course, bug-out-your-ship glitches.”
- “You'd think in a game that's only control scheme is based on going fast and smooth movement, the game wouldn't then decide to throw entire mazes at you that force you to slow down, push you around with hard wind that's also super buggy and limits your ability to move and go fast, and at one point literally takes away your controls.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted and whimsical nature, particularly through the antics of a "funny little ball" that players find both enjoyable and amusing. While the game presents challenges, it cleverly reflects on life in a humorous way, with exaggerated storytelling elements and quirky sound design that add to the comedic experience. Overall, players appreciate the blend of fun and unexpected emotional depth, making for a uniquely entertaining gameplay experience.
- “Very fun! I clap my feet in enjoyment whilst playing this funny little ball game. I go 'wheeee!' every time I go fast, but one time I went too fast and I got scared because I thought I would never slow down.”
- “For a game about a funny little ball thing, it was still very emotional for some reason.”
- “The story was 100% far too in your face, especially with the overdone looping reversed voices to accompany every line of 'dialogue' to the extent it got funny.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The monetization model of the game is generally viewed positively, as it offers a fully playable experience without the burden of excessive microtransactions or high upfront costs, contrasting favorably with other titles like Battlefield 2042. Players appreciate the absence of in-app purchases and complicated DRM, allowing for a more straightforward gaming experience.
- “This isn't Battlefield 2042; it doesn't have a £50 price tag with in-app purchases and a 20-page long EULA you have to sign up to or DRM that does goodness knows what to your PC.”
- “The market is inundated with microtransactions and money grabs in early access, but this game offers a fully playable experience with a good couple of hours of content, high visual graphics, impressive effects, and a simple control scheme.”
- “The market is inundated with microtransactions and money grabs in early access, a fully playable game with a good couple of hours of content, high visual graphics, effects, sonic boom, and a simple control scheme.”
- “This isn't Battlefield 2042; it doesn't have a £50 price tag with in-app purchases and a 20-page long EULA you have to sign up for, or DRM that does goodness knows what to your PC.”