Good immersion/survival, or too cartoony?

[DarkLustre]

I'm debating over buying this. It looks a little like the Long Dark, which has great dynamics, but kind of hard for me to feel immersed in. What are your recommendations?

[Bobywan]

It's not survival at all.
It's a puzzle exploration game.
And as a big fan of the Long Dark myself, I love both art style and I would add that Outer Wilds is the best game I have EVER played in my long enough gamer career.
It's a game that must not be spoiled so I won't tell more. Just buy it, you won't regret it.

[DarkLustre]

Originally posted by Bobywan:

It's not survival at all.
It's a puzzle exploration game.
And as a big fan of the Long Dark myself, I love both art style and I would add that Outer Wilds is the best game I have EVER played in my long enough gamer career.
It's a game that must not be spoiled so I won't tell more. Just buy it, you won't regret it. :Hearthian_Wink:

What, are you serious? I take a recommendation like that VERY seriously. Years ago, I had Bioshock and went b**chin about how dumb it seemed. I had like 7 people practically beg me to play the game and I am so grateful to them to this very day.

[Quillithe]

I'd also say Outer Wilds is the best game I've ever played. Though it's definitely not for everyone, some people really want a linear experience where the game tells them what to do and...this absolutely does not.

[Vambok]

I totally agree with both comments above, on all points made.
Best game ever played here too, and that's among a huge amount of games! So first game I would recommend to anyone too.
(and this can't really be explained without spoiling a bit and this game must really not be spoiled)

[Tacitus]

It's a story you assemble, a mystery you solve, by hunting down lore to read, getting through jetpack-assisted platforming sections, learning how to pilot a spaceship, and solving puzzles.

It's a game you can really only play once, and it will be your unique experience of the story - which order you uncovered the secrets, which puzzles you solved by accident and which stumped you until you found a clue on one planet that let you progress elsewhere, which conclusions you reached on your own and which misconceptions you carried until a shocking revelation.

The less you know going into it, the better the experience. And it's an experience that you won't forget.

[RattyRyan]

It's an extremely rewarding experience, and will play on your emotions at times. I had no idea what I was in for when I started the game, I had in fact put off buying it for ages because whenever I saw it in my wishlist and investigated, I still had no idea what the game was about and never bothered to go further. Finally I asked a friend what they thought, and then saw PirateSoftware make a clip of it, and I just tried it. Worth, every minute I played it.

Seriously, just play it and see for yourself.

I played the game without the DLC first, then got it later. I'd say that's the best way to go about it.

[Pontus]

This game is not cartoony at all lol

[Fear Ghoul]

Originally posted by Tacitus:

It's a story you assemble, a mystery you solve, by hunting down lore to read, getting through jetpack-assisted platforming sections, learning how to pilot a spaceship, and solving puzzles.

It's a game you can really only play once, and it will be your unique experience of the story - which order you uncovered the secrets, which puzzles you solved by accident and which stumped you until you found a clue on one planet that let you progress elsewhere, which conclusions you reached on your own and which misconceptions you carried until a shocking revelation.

The less you know going into it, the better the experience. And it's an experience that you won't forget.

This perfectly describes my experience with it.

[DarkLustre]

OMG. Ok, I'm going to get it. That is way too many awesome insistent recommendations to skip this game. But the, "it's a game you'll only play once" doesn't get me too jazzed tbh.

[Tacitus]

Well, you can certainly replay it to enjoy the experience, but it won't be the same as your first playthrough because you'll already know the solutions to the puzzles, how to progress, and where the story is going to take you. Hence why Outer Wilds fans frequently wish for some way to erase their memory of the game, to recapture those "eureka!" or "whoa!" moments.

Though most people who love the game will agree that even if you can only "truly" play it once, it's still worth the price of admission.

[DarkLustre]

Originally posted by Tacitus:

Well, you can certainly replay it to enjoy the experience, but it won't be the same as your first playthrough because you'll already know the solutions to the puzzles, how to progress, and where the story is going to take you. Hence why Outer Wilds fans frequently wish for some way to erase their memory of the game, to recapture those "eureka!" or "whoa!" moments.

Though most people who love the game will agree that even if you can only "truly" play it once, it's still worth the price of admission.

I've felt that in so many games and movies. Btw, love that you love Subnautica. That's one damn amazing couple of games.

[Quillithe]

Originally posted by DarkLustre:

Originally posted by Tacitus:

Well, you can certainly replay it to enjoy the experience, but it won't be the same as your first playthrough because you'll already know the solutions to the puzzles, how to progress, and where the story is going to take you. Hence why Outer Wilds fans frequently wish for some way to erase their memory of the game, to recapture those "eureka!" or "whoa!" moments.

Though most people who love the game will agree that even if you can only "truly" play it once, it's still worth the price of admission.

I've felt that in so many games and movies. Btw, love that you love Subnautica. That's one damn amazing couple of games.

Subnautica gets brought up pretty often as a close game to Outer Wilds (though Outer Wilds doesn't have crafting or resource gathering at all)

The Outer Wilds reddit has a whole list of similar games, to give an idea the top few are:
The Witness
Subnautica
Return of the Obra Dinn
Myst/Riven, etc
The Talos Principle

although this list also has Dark Souls because Outer Wilds is odd enough that there are some very different games on the list

[Bandy]

I own OW just not on steam. So, since it was brought up, OK to post other similar game suggestions in this forum? I've been banned for even hinting other titles elsewhere...
¯\ (°_o) /¯

If looking for a very different indie game then Kenshi is top of my list. There is a free demo, it has a small footprint, there is no excuse for not trying a demo, BUT beware of the learning curve and that it is tough as nails -- not a game for everyone. No hand holding, no quests, you make your own story as you go in a hand-made sandbox. One of a kind.
And just looked, it's on sale right now...

Demo:
https://www.lofigames.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4xExgudU_g

[DarkLustre]

Originally posted by Bandy:

I own OW just not on steam. So, since it was brought up, OK to post other similar game suggestions in this forum? I've been banned for even hinting other titles elsewhere...
¯\ (°_o) /¯

Wait, you get BANNED for suggesting titles? That is really gross. We are gamers, not plebs!

[Bandy]

Originally posted by DarkLustre:

... Wait, you get BANNED for suggesting titles? That is really gross. We are gamers, not plebs!

AND guess what forum, or, just the dame dev studio is enough?