The level design is so good

[Faethyra]

It's been a while since I have played a game that just gets how human brains work so well. I kind of naturally find things and hidden areas. It's like the perfect flow chart. It usually happens like this:

1. Oh that water is pretty deep, I wonder if there's treasure!
2. Huh? Oh there is some! There is also a hole over there? Does it go anywhere?
3. THERE'S A MINI DUNGEON???

It's just superb. My main complaint with Outer Worlds was the world felt very one-dimensional and kind of boring. The writing and humor were great, but it didn't have any good exploration. If you aren't going to do life sim stuff, good exploration is a must in RPGs. I think I prefer it, too. As I have gotten older, I have noticed I just want to pick up games and be able to put them down. I don't want to "live" in them for too long. I have too many other things I would like to explore/try out.

It values your time and also values your curiosity. And for that, I adore it!

[Naamtar]

I agree. The people in charge of world design did a really good job at making it feel organic, especially in terms of using verticality in a practical way.

[Faethyra]

Originally posted by Naamtar:

I agree. The people in charge of world design did a really good job at making it feel organic, especially in terms of using verticality in a practical way.

I haven't had any moments where I feel like it is forcing me to find a specific way to do it, either. A lot of areas have 3-4 different ways to traverse. It's quite dense!

[Pyro3000]

Originally posted by Faethyra:

Originally posted by Naamtar:

I agree. The people in charge of world design did a really good job at making it feel organic, especially in terms of using verticality in a practical way.

I haven't had any moments where I feel like it is forcing me to find a specific way to do it, either. A lot of areas have 3-4 different ways to traverse. It's quite dense!

The environments are fairly well made, but the game definitely holds your hand for navigating the environments with the constant minimal points.

I'm also still mad the tutorial has a perfectly good ladder that can't be climbed.

[Faethyra]

Originally posted by Pyro3000:

Originally posted by Faethyra:

I haven't had any moments where I feel like it is forcing me to find a specific way to do it, either. A lot of areas have 3-4 different ways to traverse. It's quite dense!

The environments are fairly well made, but the game definitely holds your hand for navigating the environments with the constant minimal points.

I'm also still mad the tutorial has a perfectly good ladder that can't be climbed.

Sometimes ladders and such are just set dressing. I wouldn't say it's hand-hold-y in any annoying way. Well, I also have all of the "visual aid" features turned off. I do get a little put-off when I see streamers with the little glow loot thing on. It's obnoxious.

[Naamtar]

Originally posted by Faethyra:

Originally posted by Naamtar:

I agree. The people in charge of world design did a really good job at making it feel organic, especially in terms of using verticality in a practical way.

I haven't had any moments where I feel like it is forcing me to find a specific way to do it, either. A lot of areas have 3-4 different ways to traverse. It's quite dense!

Yah, the way almost every area lets you approach an encounter from multiple points of entry is really well done. Usually I'll clear an arena then find all the other ways I could have initiated the attack while I'm looting and realize I could've done it better had I gone from X route.

[wizard1200]

Originally posted by Faethyra:

It values your time and also values your curiosity. And for that, I adore it!

Exactly! It is simply amazing to explore the world and to continously see interesting locations at the horizon, which have often a nice amount of environmental storytelling and hidden loot.

Originally posted by Naamtar:

The people in charge of world design did a really good job at making it feel organic, especially in terms of using verticality in a practical way.

Yeah, the verticality is much better than in Baldurs Gate 3 or Skyrim.

[VeraelHasta]

I agree, level design is definitely the best part of the game. You can just walk around and stumble upon most content of the game without needing quest markers.

I especially like that there are multiple pointers to the side quests/side dungeons.
- you can find the quest/dungeon itself and start it right away
- there are often pieces of paper saying there is something interesting in that place
- people in the town will often talk about it
- there is probably a random encounter with a person somewhere who will point you in that direction

They do a great job at making sure you don't miss nice stuff without having a direct map marker.

[Janthis]

I loved the area design too. The world just looks dense and interesting with places to explore everywhere, from buildings to ruins to caves. Everything seems somehow natural and hand-crafted too, no copy-pasted environments or dungeons. One of the better aspects of the game for sure.

[Diomed]

Agree

[Shotoku]

I love the dynamic crowd interactions, makes the world feel so alive and vibrant.
I know they could react but they choose not to.
Really pulls you into the lore and the wonderful living world they created.

[VeraelHasta]

Originally posted by Shotoku:

I love the dynamic crowd interactions, makes the world feel so alive and vibrant.
I know they could react but they choose not to.
Really pulls you into the lore and the wonderful living world they created.

Go away,

[Janthis]

People who feel the need to spew garbage when they see others having a good time, are revealing a lot about themselves.

[happyPig]

Originally posted by VeraelHasta:

They do a great job at making sure you don't miss nice stuff without having a direct map marker.

It's so good you can play without any markers (except for item outlines).

[Faethyra]

Originally posted by happyPig:

Originally posted by VeraelHasta:

They do a great job at making sure you don't miss nice stuff without having a direct map marker.

It's so good you can play without any markers (except for item outlines).

I have all HUD elements turned off besides the ones you need (health and such.) Has definitely made my experience a lot more immersive. I kind of lose myself while playing. Have not had that with a game in a while!

[Faethyra]

Originally posted by Johnny_B_80:

People who feel the need to spew garbage when they see others having a good time, are revealing a lot about themselves.

agreed.