Outer Wilds Game Cover

Outer Wilds is an open-world mystery about a looping timeloop in a strange, ancient solar system. Explore ruins of alien civilizations, discover their secrets, and survive long enough to break the cycle in this immersive and engaging space adventure. With its unique narrative and intriguing gameplay mechanics, Outer Wilds offers a one-of-a-kind experience for fans of sci-fi and exploration.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 72,832 reviews
story7,240 positive mentions
grinding564 negative mentions
  • story17,264 mentions

    The story of "Outer Wilds" is widely praised for its intricate and engaging narrative, which unfolds through exploration and environmental storytelling rather than traditional cutscenes or dialogue. Players piece together the history of an ancient civilization, the Nomai, as they navigate a beautifully crafted solar system, with each discovery adding depth to the overarching plot. While some players find the non-linear storytelling and reliance on text logs challenging, many agree that the emotional impact and philosophical themes of the story make it a memorable and profound experience.

    • “Outer Wilds is the pinnacle of visual and interactive storytelling.”
    • “The story is beautiful and the solar system feels so alive.”
    • “The storytelling is masterfully executed, providing just enough information to keep you intrigued while leaving room for personal interpretation and reflection.”
    • “The story is presented in a manner where exploration order does not matter, but manages to reach a very emotional level as you uncover the secret of the universe.”
    • “The story is very nonlinear, so that's probably why it falls a little short of more linear stories in this broad genre.”
    • “The story is so incredibly well thought out, and the way the game presents it to you is absolutely one of a kind.”
  • gameplay8,954 mentions

    The gameplay of "Outer Wilds" is characterized by its unique blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and a time-loop mechanic that resets the game every 22 minutes, compelling players to gather knowledge and piece together the story of an ancient civilization. While many players praise the game's innovative mechanics and engaging narrative, some find the gameplay loop repetitive and frustrating, particularly due to the time constraints and the need for backtracking. Overall, the game is celebrated for its immersive experience, stunning visuals, and the way it intertwines gameplay with storytelling, making it a standout title in the exploration genre.

    • “Outer Wilds is among the best adventure games I've ever played, featuring an amazing story and game mechanics that kept me coming back.”
    • “The mechanics are ridiculously polished, the animations are on point, and the plot is so engaging.”
    • “The gameplay is a perfect blend of exploration, discovery, and puzzle-solving, with a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking.”
    • “Those who aren't as comically inept at mastering the mechanics of the game won't find the game as frustrating as I did, having to do the same thing over and over and over to get at tiny little moments of exploring something new and getting the next little puzzle piece.”
    • “The mandatory stealth mechanics have ruined the whole game for me.”
    • “The gameplay and puzzles, however, quickly become repetitive and frustrating.”
  • music7,638 mentions

    The music in *Outer Wilds* has been universally praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, with many players noting how it evokes a range of feelings from nostalgia to existential dread. Composed by Andrew Prahlow, the soundtrack is described as hauntingly beautiful, perfectly complementing the game's exploration and storytelling elements. Players often find themselves humming the tunes long after playing, highlighting the music's lasting impact on their gaming experience.

    • “The atmosphere is gorgeous, the style is adorable, and the music is so emotional.”
    • “The music is absolutely perfect.”
    • “Outer Wilds is an amazing game that draws you in with the beautiful scenery and amazing soundtrack; the story also holds up and is always a fun game to replay.”
    • “The music that cycles through the same three banjo songs quickly becomes incredibly grating, the 22 minute time loop does little more than make you feel like you've wasted your last half hour of gameplay, and the designers seem to have forgotten about the concept of an atmosphere or momentum conservation, because half the time you jump, the planet just... keeps moving without you.”
    • “I didn't enjoy the music much and found it tremendously cookie cutter.”
    • “The music was okay but derivative.”
  • graphics2,924 mentions

    The graphics of "Outer Wilds" have received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique art style and charming visuals that effectively convey the game's atmosphere of exploration and wonder. While some players appreciate the simplistic, cartoonish graphics for their aesthetic appeal and emotional resonance, others find them lacking in detail and realism. Overall, the visuals are often described as beautiful and immersive, complementing the game's narrative and gameplay, though some players note performance issues and a desire for more graphical polish.

    • “Its haunting soundtrack and stunning visuals create an atmosphere of profound beauty and endless curiosity.”
    • “Visuals look stunning and the world they've built here is truly one of a kind.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and the story is really beautiful.”
    • “From the get-go, the game didn't charm me with its art style, which I thought wouldn't have been an issue from looking at the screenshots and trailers.”
    • “The graphics are incredibly dated and look like something released 10-15 years ago.”
    • “I found the game ran badly, not what I was expecting considering the cartoon graphics.”
  • emotional2,904 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Outer Wilds" is widely praised, with many players reporting profound feelings ranging from joy and wonder to sadness and existential dread. The game's storytelling, combined with its beautiful soundtrack and immersive exploration, creates a deeply moving experience that often leads players to tears, particularly during the impactful ending. Overall, it is regarded as a unique emotional journey that resonates with players long after they finish the game.

    • “The atmosphere is gorgeous, the style is adorable, and the music is so emotional.”
    • “All I can really say is that this game is an emotional masterpiece, and if you haven't played it yet, stay away from spoilers as much as you can and don't look up anything.”
    • “This game is beautiful, horrifying, heartwarming, heartbreaking, an unbelievable experience that left me stunned as I watched the credits roll down with friends by my side, play this game, please.”
    • “Boring story and even more boring how the story is delivered.”
    • “If I open a book and don't finish it because it's hard to read and the story doesn't grab me, is it my fault for not being curious enough to see how it ends, or is it the book's fault for having a boring story?”
  • atmosphere1,836 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Outer Wilds" is widely praised for its breathtaking beauty and emotional depth, combining cozy, inviting elements with existential dread. Players appreciate the game's stunning visuals, haunting soundtrack, and immersive world-building, which together create a unique sense of wonder and curiosity as they explore its richly crafted solar system. Many reviews highlight how the atmosphere enhances the storytelling and gameplay, making it a memorable experience that resonates long after playing.

    • “The atmosphere is gorgeous, the style is adorable, and the music is so emotional.”
    • “Its haunting soundtrack and stunning visuals create an atmosphere of profound beauty and endless curiosity.”
    • “The atmosphere and world-building are wonderful, truly making you feel like you're discovering an entire civilization, and what happened to them.”
    • “I don't know how to put it exactly, but the atmosphere was somewhat unsettling at times.”
    • “The exploration on quantum moon was captivating, the atmosphere is very eerie.”
    • “The atmosphere is both serene and oppressing at times.”
  • grinding640 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely viewed as tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the need to repeatedly backtrack and redo tasks due to the time loop mechanic. While some players found enjoyment in the exploration and puzzle-solving elements, the overall sentiment leans towards the gameplay becoming monotonous and lacking in rewarding progression, leading to a sense of boredom and dissatisfaction as the game progresses.

    • “Grinding is beneficial to gameplay.”
    • “Grinding is part of the gameplay.”
    • “There's no grinding, because you don't collect resources or upgrades; you simply progress by gaining new knowledge.”
    • “I gave this game an honest 5 hours but in the end I just found it too tedious and not very rewarding.”
    • “I thought it was tedious at 5 hours...by 12 hours it's just a slog.”
    • “The gameplay loop becomes incredibly tedious to the point of sucking all fun or intrigue out of the experience.”
  • replayability554 mentions

    The game has been widely criticized for its lack of replayability, with many reviewers noting that once players have completed the story and uncovered its mysteries, there is little incentive to play again. While the initial experience is described as profound and engaging, the knowledge-based progression means that subsequent playthroughs offer little new content, making it a "one-time adventure." Despite this drawback, many still recommend the game for its exceptional storytelling and immersive atmosphere, emphasizing that it is worth experiencing at least once.

    • “Despite this con of zero replayability, I believe that this game is still worth your money, and still worth your time.”
    • “The only downside is that there's not much replay value.”
    • “It's a fun little exploration game with an interesting twist that gives it replay value.”
    • “The worst part is that when it's over, there's no replayability.”
    • “Once you know everything about the game, it has relatively little replayability which is perhaps its main drawback.”
    • “This game has zero replayability (except for achievement hunting, which is a very fun way to squeeze out as much as you can out of this game.) after you complete this game, you will try and search for another game that make you feel this way again, and I have yet to find it after 8 months (and counting) of completing the base game.”
  • humor402 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending lighthearted moments with deeper emotional undertones. Players frequently mention the amusing character interactions, funny deaths, and quirky achievements that enhance the overall experience, making exploration both entertaining and rewarding. The game balances its comedic elements with poignant storytelling, resulting in a unique blend of humor, charm, and existential reflection.

    • “This is a fun silly game about exclusively funny and happy and good things, there are no other emotions anywhere, I promise.”
    • “The game is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, alternating between funny, frustrating, and touching moments.”
    • “I absolutely adore how all the aliens are so human-- they have flaws, they have humor, grief, love, and you feel as if you know them, even though you are separated by 200,000 years.”
    • “The unfunny jokes, childish and stupid 'witty' banter between the Nomai all translated by my scanner and read by my poor eyes when I am just looking for relevant, interesting, and useful information to progress.”
    • “Not funny at all.”
    • “The unfunny jokes, childish and stupid 'witty' banter between the Nomai all translated by my scanner and read by my poor eyes when I am just looking for relevant, interesting, and useful information to progress.”
  • optimization244 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, including stuttering and frame drops, particularly on high-end PCs. While others report smooth performance and good optimization, especially on lower settings or devices like the Steam Deck, many users note that the game seems better suited for controllers than keyboard and mouse setups. Overall, while the game showcases impressive visuals and complex mechanics, its optimization remains a point of contention among players.

    • “The game runs great on Steam Deck with its graphics preset defaulting to good performance.”
    • “Very well optimized, runs at best setting with no FPS drops on a 1080 Ti.”
    • “Well optimized and feels amazing to play, like you're genuinely exploring space.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized and crashes like crazy; I am unable to even play the full product.”
    • “Horrid performance and stuttering despite reported high frame rate on a high-end PC built within the last year.”
    • “This is a really great game, but it has such terrible performance that it makes it impossible to recommend.”
  • stability126 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a smooth, bug-free experience, particularly on platforms like Linux and Steam Deck. However, many others have encountered significant glitches, particularly with controls and game mechanics, leading to frustrating gameplay and even unplayable situations on PC. Overall, while some players praise its technical performance, a notable portion express dissatisfaction due to persistent bugs and control issues.

    • “The game runs great on Steam Deck with its graphics preset defaulting to good performance.”
    • “Rarely do you see games written so well and bug free.”
    • “Super close to bug free.”
    • “It's one thing if a game is hard because of the challenge level, but this game along with its glitches just make it fairly broken on the PC version.”
    • “I really wish that I could recommend this game; however, the fact is that it's so buggy that it's unplayable.”
    • “First of all, the game is buggy more than 2 years after the release.”
  • character development42 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely minimal, with many reviewers noting a lack of meaningful interaction and depth among characters, which detracts from their individuality. While the character design is praised for its creativity and visual appeal, the absence of voice acting and brief dialogue limits the potential for deeper character exploration. Overall, the game's strong emphasis on world and character design is appreciated, but it leaves players wanting more in terms of character growth and narrative engagement.

    • “Great characters that I'll never forget, perfect world and character design.”
    • “The character designs are varied, and there's a nice sense of humor to the dialogue.”
    • “I also love the character designs, as there's this wild west theme that I find really interesting and suits your species really well, and the tribal look of the nomai also really sticks out to me.”
    • “And this comes without any voice-acting, and with minimal character development!”
    • “There is no character development or characters at all for that matter and the locations you explore also lack character.”
    • “You, the protagonist, are faceless and nameless and have no personality and no character development.”
  • monetization16 mentions

    The game's monetization model is praised for its absence of microtransactions and exploitative practices, offering a refreshing alternative to the typical cash grab schemes prevalent in many modern games. Players appreciate the focus on genuine gameplay and artistic passion rather than monetization tactics, making it a standout experience in a market saturated with soulless titles.

    • “No scummy monetization practices.”
    • “There are no upgrade trees, level systems, reward tracks, or monetization schemes, which allows for a more straightforward gameplay experience.”
    • “Only complaint is the absence of microtransactions or a battle royale mode.”
    • “Some could be absolute cash grabs, like every mobile game ever.”
    • “There is no upgrade tree, level system, reward track, monetization schemes, etc. Once you figure out how to do something or are told about it, it is ruined for you.”
    • “Just get it if you want a fresh breath of air amidst all the recent identical cash grab games.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

20hMedian play time
70hAverage play time
17hMain story
26hCompletionist
12-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 272 analyzed playthroughs

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