Outer Wilds is a challenging game to discuss as it is best appreciated when the player knows nothing about the gameplay or story.
One of the things that sets Outer Wilds apart from other puzzle games is how it handles its puzzles. Its puzzles are ultimately based upon knowledge, and because of this, you can technically beat the game from the first time you play it. This means you need to learn how to do something, and then apply that in a puzzle the game lays out for you.
The most basic example of this is when the player first visits the Ember Twin. You can use a translation device to read text on the walls, which tells you how to navigate the winding caves to reach an abandoned city.
Because of this unique gameplay structure, it is one of the few puzzle games that I have enjoyed. In fact, it has beaten Signalis to become my favorite game of all time. The story is emotionally impactful on a whole new level, despite a lack of audible dialogue.
In Outer Wilds, you play as a Hearthian exploring the solar system to uncover the ancient history of the long-dead Nomai species. Every 22 minutes, the sun explodes and you restart at the beginning of a time loop.
There are eight planets in the solar system: Timber Hearth, its moon Attlerock, the Hourglass Twins Ember Twin and Ash Twin, Giant’s Deep, Dark Bramble, Brittle Hollow, and its moon Hollow’s Lantern. There are also several in-space objects you can visit, with the largest being the Interloper.
Almost every planet is designed to provoke a certain fear. Giant’s Deep provokes fear of the ocean, Dark Bramble exemplifies a fear of large things, Brittle Hollow illustrates the fear of heights, the Attlerock demonstrates fear of solitude, and the Ember Twin is the peak of claustrophobia.
Another one of the game’s most fascinating aspects is its live physics engine.
For example, if you drift in space for too long, you’ll eventually drift into the sun. Every little movement in your spaceship is perpetual, and the closer you are to a planet the faster you’ll fall into it. Each planet has its own gravity, and because of that, each planet is a unique challenge to navigate. Each planet also has incredibly unique landscapes, with a distinct look and atmosphere.
The game also utilizes minor details to enhance this contrasting effect. For example, each of the Hearthians has a unique body shape, and unlike the Nomai, they are all gender-neutral.
The story of Outer Wilds, on the surface level, is about curiosity. Something you learn on one planet will lead you to another, and then another, and another. It’s a trail of breadcrumbs that culminates in the ultimate loaf, and it tastes delicious.
Additionally, the game’s only DLC, Echoes of the Eye, thoughtfully expands upon the gameplay loop. Information is given to the player in new ways and the puzzles are more creative than ever before. The story you uncover is arguably stronger than the one in the base game.
Interestingly, Echoes of the Eye goes for a more horror-centric approach than the base game. While there are no scripted jumpscares, it most definitely amps up the fear factor.
The full package of Outer Wilds has changed the way I look at the world and has done the same for many others. I would argue this is the single greatest game of all time. Simply put, the game is nothing short of a masterpiece.
