"As a child, I considered such unknowns sinister. Now, though, I understand they bear no ill will. The universe is, and we are."
Solanum's words embody the spirit of inquisitiveness, universal indifference, and growth and maturity which Outer Wilds as a whole invites the player to cultivate within themselves. The challenging puzzles of the mechanics of the universe demand that the player stays attentive and observant. It begs the player to be unafraid of failure and death. It fosters a growth mindset and a spirit of learning. This scientific ethos is what initially drew me to the game and what compelled me to play for about... 15 hours straight. Good lord, 15 hours...
I essentially played this entire game in a day. I can't believe myself.
Currently I'm kinda staying by myself, alone, the day before Christmas Eve because I am ill. From rise till bed, I have been playing this game. I have never done this, ever... Maybe with some visual novels, but no video game has ever had a hold on me in the same way Outer Wilds just did.
Many have pointed it out before, but Outer Wilds really differentiates itself from every other game by presenting itself as an invitation and a challenge for the observant, attentive, and the curious. The mysteries and mechanics of the universe have never felt more holistic, attended to, and alluring as they do in this physics-simulator. Really, most of the game is just maneuvering the right way! And honestly, unlike many, I found the controls to not be 'jank', but rather intuitive and natural. I found myself soaring across each of the planets and making incredible repairs on my ship after I had crashed it and it continued to float. I found myself slinging off of the momentum of a black hole to reach a different section. The rules of the universe are so tight and consistent, it's like clockwork. It's like real life. Mechanically, this might be the most impressive game I have ever played (?).
The other massive success of Outer Wilds is in building the lore with the Nomai and each of the Hearthian band members. The Nomai lore is incredibly cool, and is just an excellent example of how to write a fictional race of galaxy-hopping pioneers. Their personalities come through the texts and writings. Their relationships seem real. Their conflicts and dreams and desires are all there in the Nomai texts. Then, each of the Hearthian explorers are all distinct, too.
It might be a while before I'm able to give a true analysis of the purpose and themes of this game, but I just wanted to get my first impressions out there because I truly fell in love with this game. Completely absorbed. Fascinated.
Solanum's words embody the spirit of inquisitiveness, universal indifference, and growth and maturity which Outer Wilds as a whole invites the player to cultivate within themselves. The challenging puzzles of the mechanics of the universe demand that the player stays attentive and observant. It begs the player to be unafraid of failure and death. It fosters a growth mindset and a spirit of learning. This scientific ethos is what initially drew me to the game and what compelled me to play for about... 15 hours straight. Good lord, 15 hours...
I essentially played this entire game in a day. I can't believe myself.
Currently I'm kinda staying by myself, alone, the day before Christmas Eve because I am ill. From rise till bed, I have been playing this game. I have never done this, ever... Maybe with some visual novels, but no video game has ever had a hold on me in the same way Outer Wilds just did.
Many have pointed it out before, but Outer Wilds really differentiates itself from every other game by presenting itself as an invitation and a challenge for the observant, attentive, and the curious. The mysteries and mechanics of the universe have never felt more holistic, attended to, and alluring as they do in this physics-simulator. Really, most of the game is just maneuvering the right way! And honestly, unlike many, I found the controls to not be 'jank', but rather intuitive and natural. I found myself soaring across each of the planets and making incredible repairs on my ship after I had crashed it and it continued to float. I found myself slinging off of the momentum of a black hole to reach a different section. The rules of the universe are so tight and consistent, it's like clockwork. It's like real life. Mechanically, this might be the most impressive game I have ever played (?).
The other massive success of Outer Wilds is in building the lore with the Nomai and each of the Hearthian band members. The Nomai lore is incredibly cool, and is just an excellent example of how to write a fictional race of galaxy-hopping pioneers. Their personalities come through the texts and writings. Their relationships seem real. Their conflicts and dreams and desires are all there in the Nomai texts. Then, each of the Hearthian explorers are all distinct, too.
It might be a while before I'm able to give a true analysis of the purpose and themes of this game, but I just wanted to get my first impressions out there because I truly fell in love with this game. Completely absorbed. Fascinated.