Outer Wilds is a Confusing Game, and It’s Brilliant

Written By: Nick Krzykowski

 

 

No one likes feeling lost.

 

You might be power-walking back to a movie theater after finally making that concession run. Or avoiding book spoilers like, well, not exactly like the plague, but close enough. Either way, one thing is clear: we want to experience stories the “intended” way.

 

But in Outer Wilds, a space exploration game released by Mobius Digital in 2019, feeling lost is part of the experience.

 

The game takes place in a fictional universe and follows a Hearthian (a native inhabitant of the planet Timber Hearth) about to embark on their first space flight. You are given a ship and equipment and told to explore the surrounding planets. Along the way, though, you will likely meet fellow travelers, study the ruins of a mysterious, ancient society, and, most importantly, admire the pine trees.

There are no enemies to defeat or mission objectives. Unlike so many other games, Outer Wilds puts the story entirely in the player’s hands. Want to start your adventure skimming the vast oceans and relentless storms of Giant’s Deep? Then, go. Study its depths and the numerous fluorescent jellyfish below its surface. Or how about Brittle Hollow—a planet being devoured by a black hole? You can do that, too. In other words, the game allows its story to unfold naturally, according to the player’s interests, until…

 

(The next part of this blog contains spoilers for the first hour or so of gameplay. Seriously. Remember what I said about spoilers and plagues).

 

You might be power-walking… wait, haven’t we done this already?

 

Yes, we have. 

 

In addition to space exploration, Outer Wilds has another important mechanic: time loops. Every 22 minutes, threatening music will play, signaling that the sun is about to supernova and destroy all the planets, buildings, and life in the solar system.

 

But, miraculously, you awake back on Timber Hearth, with the game having effectively reset. Many people, myself included, regard this as Outer Wilds’ most unique and defining feature. Ultimately, you cannot alter the environment or “progress” in a conventional way. Rather, you must gather information, establish connections, and solve puzzles to reveal the game’s story.

 

I could go on to discuss the major story beats, the ending, and the DLC. But for right now, I’ll encourage you to jump in and play, to have an adventure that, yes, might be a little confusing but is “yours” nonetheless.

 

Please admire the pine trees along the way.