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Play Overview
Outer Wilds (2018) is an exploration space mystery about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop. After twenty minutes of game time, you must start again – but each time brings a new opportunity to learn how you ended up on the planet and solve the secrets of who built the strange galaxy. As you do, the world evolves and opens up new secrets.
It's a game that looks relatively predictable, but with each loop grows both in complexity and ambition of its theme. What starts off as a game about mystery and survival, in its iterative rebirth and life process, has the capacity to shed light on life, death and what it means to be human.
The result is a game that you investigate as much as you play. It's a fascinating and elegant puzzle but in solving this, you uncover a story about the vastness of space and the human instinct to strive for more.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Outer Wilds 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 3 months ago.
It's a game that looks relatively predictable, but with each loop grows both in complexity and ambition of its theme. What starts off as a game about mystery and survival, in its iterative rebirth and life process, has the capacity to shed light on life, death and what it means to be human.
The result is a game that you investigate as much as you play. It's a fascinating and elegant puzzle but in solving this, you uncover a story about the vastness of space and the human instinct to strive for more.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Outer Wilds 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 3 months ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Outer Wilds. Here are some similar younger-rated games:
Play Style
This is an Adventure and Brain Game game with Communication, Narrative, Puzzle, Sequencing, Simulation and Traversal elements. This is a single-player game.
Benefits
Age Ratings
Content Rating
The original Outer Wilds game is rated PEGI 7 for mild violence that lacks any apparent harm or injury to human-like characters and pictures or sounds likely to be scary to young children. The game features numerous lethal environmental hazards that can crush, suffocate and burn the player's character. There are various dark and eerie settings throughout the game, including a scary encounter with a menacing angler fish. This can be scary for young children.
Rated for younger players in the US. Rated ESRB EVERYONE 10+ for fantasy violence and alcohol reference. Though infrequent, players' deaths can occur somewhat dramatically: getting swallowed by a giant monster; suffocating in space; and getting crushed by falling sand. One line of dialogue briefly mentions wine (e.g., "...their stomachs are strong enough to drink sap wine.”).
Skill Level
11+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. It's also important to ensure children understand in-game purchases and have spending limits set-up. You can't tell from the look of it, but this is a game that needs a large amount of lateral thinking. You need to closely observe what's happening in the world and then use each of your loops to inch towards where you need to go. Patience, planning, leaps of faith and problem-solving are all important. More mature players get more from the moving story.
Costs
Outer Wilds usually costs £19.99.
You can purchase the Echoes of the Eye expansion. This is included as part of the Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Outer Wilds
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
- In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
You can purchase the Echoes of the Eye expansion. This is included as part of the Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Game Details
Release Date: 11/12/2018, updated in 2023
Out Now: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One and Xbox X|S
Skill Rating: 11+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Adventure, Brain Game (Communication, Narrative, Puzzle, Sequencing, Simulation and Traversal)
Accessibility: 28 features
Components: 3D First-Person, Day and Night and Open World
Developer: Mobius Games (@Mobius_Games)
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Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships. |
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