Ah, Outer Wilds. How good it feels to play you again. It is a Greek tragedy how a game as great as you can only truly be played once, so getting some form of DLC is a true blessing.

Though again, of all experiences, this one feels the most wrong to give it to. The entire game is so tightly designed, with everything weaving together like an intricate web, it is hard to imagine threading another needle into it.

Not only that, but the entire message of the game is about letting go and moving on, so to say that, then turn around and say ‘please come back for the DLC’ is quite a contradiction. One, that Echoes of the Eye does not manage to overcome.

Despite its strengths, the expansion never really manages to feel like it is a natural addition to the game’s mechanics or pacing. It is more like a sequel or spin-off that has been awkwardly crowbarred into its predecessor.

At first, it does work alongside the game, even adding purpose to things that it kind of lacked before. Then, after a short while, throws all of that out the window as it introduces a brand-new location that you will spend the rest of your time in.

You cannot even use your ship, an integral part of your experience up ‘till now, and later, as you explore deeper, you even lose your suit, leaving you with nothing of what you once knew.

In its place is an experience vastly different from what was once known. In some ways this works, while in others it falls short.

In the mysteries department, holy moly, is this great. Its puzzles feel just as mind-bending and satisfying to solve with many exciting reveals and discoveries. But without any kind of link to the rest of the Galaxy, it feels quite disconnected from everything else.

Though, while its story can feel a little contrived at times, it adds a new and unique perspective to the game’s themes and ideas. It explores and tackles a unique and more flawed reaction to the events of the game.

Also, what really is the glue that holds everything together is the big new gameplay change, horror. Do not worry, it is not particularly a spoiler, the game tells you it is going to be spooky right from the get-go.

In many ways the horrors work, while in many others they do not. On paper, it is basic, but Outer Wilds uses an ace up its sleeve, atmosphere. It uses its masterfully crafted music and sound design to take an otherwise plain spooky encounter and turn it into a tense situation.

If you just want more of the experience of Outer Wilds, you will get a kick out of this, with tons more mysteries to solve. However, be prepared for it to feel in some ways poorly implemented into the main game.

Still, fun to play though, and adds some nice additions to the ending.

Pretty good.

The characters and story is good, and (from what I can tell, anyway) the depiction of psychosis is realistic and grounded.

Additionally, it's depiction of Norse mythology is quite unique. Showing a much more haunting depiction that stands out from its contemporaries.

It does, however, have a lot of problems. For one, its combat and puzzles are fairly repetitive. Additionally, the story takes a few hours to pick up.

Fortunately, the experience is pretty short, so the repetition isn't super overbearing.