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Look Outside

Look Outside is a wonderfully eerie adventure with some of the most unique scenarios and sights I’ve seen in a horror game in years. While it makes a strong first impression, though, as time went on, I sometimes wondered if I’d be better off just looking outside. However, there are still enough strong moments to make it worth checking out for those who love horror games and RPGs.
Look Outside Game Cover
94%Game Brain Score
story, music
grinding, stability
98% User Score Based on 7,171 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Look Outside Game Cover

About

Look Outside is a single player survival role playing game with horror, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by FrankieSmileShow and was released on March 21, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Look Outside is a survival horror RPG set in an apartment building where looking out the window transforms people into grotesque monsters. Scavenge for food, weapons, and supplies while engaging in inventive turn-based combat against over 150 unique creatures. Build alliances, craft tools, and uncover dark mysteries within this tense, body horror-filled world.

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Look Outside screenshot
Look Outside screenshot
Look Outside screenshot
Look Outside screenshot
Look Outside screenshot
Look Outside screenshot
Look Outside screenshot
Look Outside screenshot
Look Outside screenshot
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98%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,171 reviews
story642 positive mentions
grinding49 negative mentions
  • Incredible art style and music that enhances the atmosphere of horror and tension.
  • Engaging story with deep character development and multiple endings that encourage replayability.
  • Unique blend of cosmic horror and humor, creating a captivating and memorable experience.
  • The save system can be punishing, requiring players to manage their time carefully and potentially lose significant progress.
  • Some character interactions and mechanics can be obtuse, making it easy to miss important content without a guide.
  • Combat can become repetitive and may lack depth as players progress, especially once they have a full party.
  • story
    1,279 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is widely praised for its depth, creativity, and emotional resonance, blending elements of cosmic horror with humor and heart. Players appreciate the intricate world-building, memorable characters, and the multiple endings that encourage replayability, making each playthrough feel unique. While some critiques mention occasional bugs and the potential for players to miss content due to the game's structure, the overall narrative experience is considered exceptional and engaging, often leaving a lasting impact on players.

    • “An astonishingly good game with an incredible story, a lot of heart and humor, drenched in horror.”
    • “The story is extremely solid, a very intriguing eldritch, Lovecraftian kind of thing.”
    • “The story, the intrigue, the choices, the mistakes you make, the dialog... everything lends itself to making this an amazing play.”
    • “Secondly, I found the story a bit lackluster.”
    • “You are better off watching a let's play if you are interested in the story.”
    • “The story itself is fairly short, as in it doesn't have to take very long to reach an ending.”
  • music
    1,121 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Look Outside" has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's diverse range, from haunting ambient tracks to energetic battle themes, which effectively complement the game's cosmic horror elements and emotional storytelling. Many players have expressed a desire to purchase the soundtrack separately, underscoring its impact and memorability throughout the gameplay experience.

    • “The music is genuinely perfect for what the game is.”
    • “The soundtrack really surprised me with how unique it is, I love it so much.”
    • “The music is hauntingly beautiful, pairing perfectly with the game's disturbing yet inspired art design.”
    • “The one downside to this game in my view is its soundtrack.”
    • “The sound design is great in most cases, but the in-game music often feels out of place and ruins the atmosphere; there are too many upbeat themes for an eldritch horror.”
    • “I ended up turning the music off entirely, but that is not ideal either because some sections don't have any ambient sound and become too empty.”
  • gameplay
    953 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Look Outside" has been widely praised for its engaging blend of turn-based RPG mechanics and survival horror elements, offering a unique experience that emphasizes resource management and exploration. Players appreciate the depth of combat mechanics, the variety of recruitable characters, and the strategic decision-making required to navigate the game's challenges, although some have noted frustrations with the weapon durability system and the limited save mechanics. Overall, the game is lauded for its addictive gameplay loop, rich narrative, and atmospheric design, making it a standout title in the indie RPG genre.

    • “The combat mechanics are varied and engaging (for a turn-based game), and the other little things you can do in between fighting enemies break up any possible monotony in gameplay; exploring the apartment complex alone does that for me personally.”
    • “Clever gameplay mechanics, a world that continually expands with hidden depth, the pixel art, the music, the writing... it all adds up to an experience that's unforgettable.”
    • “The gameplay loop of exploring the apartment building and gradually unlocking more areas is addictive, difficulty is just right on standard (but there is a more forgiving option) and the soundtrack is an absolute banger.”
    • “The weapon durability in this game is RNG-based and extremely frustrating at times.”
    • “The gameplay consists of a risk-reward style approach to exploration, leading to an experience that I would describe as anxiety-inducing, but not in any negative or unintentional way.”
    • “The gameplay itself isn't anything revolutionary at all, but the story, art, and music - while not being anything groundbreaking on their own - becomes a much greater whole that elevates the whole experience.”
  • graphics
    691 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Look Outside" are widely praised for their unique and captivating pixel art style, which effectively blends grotesque body horror with charming character designs. Reviewers highlight the stunning visuals and atmospheric soundtrack, noting how the art enhances the game's eerie and immersive experience. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's narrative and emotional impact.

    • “The art style is incredibly unique and very appealing.”
    • “The visuals are stunning in their own special way, giving the game a unique feel.”
    • “The artwork is fantastic and all the characters are so charming.”
    • “Finale: the only drawback I would say is the retro style pixel graphics.”
    • “The graphics make me want to chew my skin off like a snake.”
    • “The pixel art style gives the game a lot of memorability and charm, but I think I would have liked this game more if the graphics were higher.”
  • humor
    395 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in this game is a standout feature, blending dark and absurd elements seamlessly with its horror themes. Players appreciate the clever writing and engaging dialogue that elicits genuine laughter, often juxtaposed with grotesque imagery and unsettling moments. This unique balance of humor and horror not only enhances the gameplay experience but also adds depth to the characters and narrative, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

    • “The dialogue can both be lighthearted and humorous to wonderfully cruel, and it does not shy away from leaning into grotesque imagery when appropriate.”
    • “The writing in this game is also phenomenal, being humorous but also not departing from its main horror theme; whenever there's a joke, it makes sense within the context of the situation.”
    • “It's a creepy game, and it has funny moments too.”
    • “Don't look outside is not funny.”
    • “But then don't look outside in the game is not funny.”
  • atmosphere
    369 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of horror, humor, and emotional depth, creating a captivating experience that lingers long after gameplay. Reviewers highlight the stunning pixel art, immersive sound design, and a soundtrack that enhances the eerie yet whimsical vibe, effectively balancing tension with moments of levity. Overall, the game excels in crafting a rich, atmospheric world filled with grotesque yet endearing characters, making it a standout in the horror RPG genre.

    • “Oozing atmosphere at every corner, fantastic soundtrack, amazing art style, endearing characters, and it's genuinely terrifying.”
    • “The atmosphere is fantastic, the mysteries are genuinely compelling, and the overall design and setting are superb.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is wonderfully weird, creepy, tense, hopeless, and at times oddly wholesome!”
    • “The grotesqueness doesn't end at the art style and design as the story and atmosphere got under my skin multiple times.”
    • “An indie RPG whose intriguing premise, unique and entertaining encounters, and delightfully grotesque and detailed pixel art fail to overcome the tedium of its completely bog-standard JRPG combat and mechanical attempts to reinforce an atmosphere of horror that evaporated early into the game, leaving only frustration and wasted time.”
    • “The sound design is great in most cases, but the in-game music often feels out of place and ruins the atmosphere; there are too many upbeat themes for an eldritch horror.”
  • emotional
    262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of horror and heartwarming moments, creating a rich tapestry of feelings that range from fear to joy. Players report being deeply moved by the writing, character interactions, and the impactful endings, often leading to tears and a strong attachment to the characters. The game successfully balances grotesque body horror with themes of compassion and community, making it a standout experience that resonates on multiple emotional levels.

    • “The writing is wonderful, the endings are thought-provoking, and the game is all-around a great mixture of horrific, wholesome, wacky, and existential.”
    • “The emotional ties with survivors, and the choices you must make, to the overall perfection of the story has left me craving more of it even after multiple completions.”
    • “This game is so heartfelt and beautiful, but also tragic and sad, but also horrifying and unnerving, but also really funny and joyful.”
  • replayability
    231 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with numerous endings, diverse character interactions, and a wealth of side quests that encourage multiple playthroughs. Players frequently mention the satisfaction of discovering new content and secrets in each run, making it a compelling experience that justifies its price. However, some players note that certain repetitive elements can detract from the overall replay value.

    • “There's a ton of replay value too with different endings, party members, skills, and entire character interactions that can be completely different depending on the choices you make.”
    • “The game has so much replayability, there is so much to discover; every time I have felt like I've seen everything the game has to offer, I always still find more.”
    • “With multiple endings and playthroughs around the 10-hour area, the game has some decent replayability.”
    • “But certain areas of the game get pretty tedious when you play it more than once, and that decreases the replayability for me.”
    • “There was no replay value; the characters were rote, the endings were pretentious theorybait slop, and the tone was the dated, rote 'humans are the real bad guys!!!!' which anyone with a working TV is more than aware of.”
    • “The idea that the most efficient way to start your game is to either rush the ground floor or to stay at home until you get 2-3 party members really takes away from the replayability of the game.”
  • character development
    74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highly praised for its imaginative and diverse character designs, which effectively convey personality and emotional depth. Players appreciate the compelling storytelling and the unique backstories of characters, although some express a desire for more interactions and deeper development throughout the game. Overall, the combination of creative art style, engaging narratives, and well-crafted characters contributes to a rich and immersive RPG experience.

    • “The character writing is lovely and I got really attached to almost all of the recruitable cast. The character designs and sprite work are outstanding, the monster designs are some of the most creative I’ve seen yet, and don’t get me started on the OST!”
    • “The character designs and backstories are really interesting; you can really tell that the creators have put a lot of thought into the story and designs.”
    • “Every character has a beautifully crafted story and character design.”
    • “My real only complaints were that I wished there were more interactions with the party members, at least some form of character development along with them having more of an impact on the endings. It felt pretty bleak knowing that the fate of the members is left up for speculation with no definite answer.”
    • “The only thing is I wish the characters talked after certain boss fights, or during them, giving more character development like they did with Papa.”
    • “Every character design here stands out as uniquely horrific, and the creativity this artist has to be able to depict such things is nothing short of inspiring.”
  • grinding
    52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game. While some players find certain areas and mechanics tedious, particularly during backtracking and combat, others appreciate the minimal grinding required and the engaging exploration that compensates for it. Overall, the game offers a balance of enjoyable replayability and occasional frustrations related to grinding and tedious design elements.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “But certain areas of the game get pretty tedious when you play it more than once, and that decreases the replayability for me.”
    • “The lack of an easy save point mixed with all the gruesome ways you could die instantly meant that you'd tediously re-walk the same areas over and over again, wasting 20-30 minutes per death.”
    • “One major con: some later areas becoming highly repetitive and tedious.”
  • stability
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is characterized by a mix of minor bugs and glitches, with many players noting that while these issues can be distracting, they are not game-breaking. Most users report that the game runs well on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, and appreciate that developers are actively working on patches. However, some players express frustration with unpredictable bugs that can disrupt gameplay and the overall experience.

    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “No glitches, incredible character design, lots of dialog options, and many different endings.”
    • “All in all, had a great time; runs great on the Deck.”
    • “However, it is buggy at times and can ruin around 1 hour of progress (due to not being able to save at will in the normal difficulty) when bugs happen.”
    • “My only real complaint I have is the copious amounts of bugs and glitches, both of the minor and game-breaking varieties.”
    • “All of that is sadly trumped by how buggy this is at launch.”
  • optimization
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while performance is generally satisfactory, some players find the combat system and user interface lacking clarity and efficiency. The normal difficulty is perceived as too easy, allowing players to defeat superbosses quickly without extensive optimization, and while there are opportunities for route and achievement optimization, many feel that the game does not require it for casual play. Additionally, some users noted that manual saving can be unforgiving, highlighting areas where further optimization could enhance the experience.

    • “I spent hours trying to map out a route to achieve the objectives in the most optimized way and in as few runs as possible, until I finally gave up and just decided to try my best.”
    • “Performance or gameplay surpasses the passing mark and stands out from the average.”
    • “Meaning that backtracking isn't as punishing and path optimization isn't necessary to ensure you're not wasting time on mindless wandering.”
    • “I spent hours trying to map out a route to complete the achievements in the most optimized way and in as few runs as possible, until I finally gave up and just decided to try my best.”
    • “Warning: this game does use manual saving and at times is extremely unforgiving. There is some optimization I wish was here; small things though, just me nitpicking.”
    • “[h1] Uninspired, unbalanced, and poorly optimized [/h1]”
  • monetization
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game primarily involves microtransactions for in-game purchases, but players feel that the game offers substantial value without aggressive cash grabs or gimmicks. Many reviewers express a willingness to pay a premium for the experience, highlighting that the game is complete and rewarding, especially with its replayability and multiple endings. Overall, the monetization approach is viewed positively, as it does not detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “Just play it guys! I would have paid $100 for a game like this. No cash grabs, no gimmicks, just a straight-up 10/10, 5/5 horror game. It's hard even on easy mode, and do yourself a favor: for your first playthrough, don't look anything up. It makes it 10x better and more insidious.”
    • “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
    • “But unlike a typical AAA release where you'd pay $70 or more to get a possibly incomplete experience that may also shove in other undesirables like microtransactions in your face, Look Outside's later updates are correcting the known oversights, slowly implementing the ideas and content that were missing, and adding to what is already a very strong experience.”
    • “Addendum: Devolver really struggled with advertising this game.”
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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews
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14h Median play time
23h Average play time
8-20h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 36 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Look Outside is a survival role playing game with horror, mystery and thriller themes.

Look Outside is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 23 hours playing Look Outside.

Look Outside was released on March 21, 2025.

Look Outside was developed by FrankieSmileShow.

Look Outside has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Look Outside is a single player game.

Similar games include Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass, Sorry We're Closed, Drova: Forsaken Kin, SKALD: Against the Black Priory, NO-SKIN and others.