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Play OverviewPlay 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 loop brings a new opportunity to learn how you ended up on the planet and discover its secrets. It stands out for its invitation to slowly learn about the strange galaxy you find yourself in and solve its mysteries.

It's a game that looks relatively predictable, but with each loop the game grows both in complexity and ambition of its theme. What starts as a game about mystery and survival grows to steadily shed light on life, death and what it means to be human.

Play is a matter of stepping out into the world, talking to the people you meet and carefully observing what you find. Everything is open from the start but you need to comprehend how the different moving parts fit together to discover more. It's as much about being in the right place at the right time as it is your ability to pilot spacecraft or efficiently move through the world.

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, Jo Robertson, first checked Outer Wilds 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Andy Robertson and updated 2 days ago.
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Play StylePlay Style

This is an Adventure and Brain Game game with Communication, Narrative, Puzzle, Sequencing, Simulation and Traversal elements. This is a single-player game.

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 17 and a half hours and 23 and a half hours to complete.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 7 for Fear and Violence. The DLC content features sequences in which the player's character is chased by owl-like creatures which want to grab you and blow out the light you're carrying. These sequences create a feeling of dread while moving through dark environments. There is also the use of creepy music and sound effects. The game also features numerous lethal environmental hazards that can crush, suffocate and burn the player's character.

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 Australia. Rated General (G) for very mild themes.

Skill Level

11+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it’s important for parents and guardians to ensure they 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.

CostsCosts

Outer Wilds usually costs £19.99 to £20.99.
 

Outer Wilds

XBox Store Xbox X|S £20.99
XBox Store Xbox One £20.99
XBox Store PC £20.99
Switch Store Switch £20.99
Steam Store PC £19.99
PlayStation Store PS5 £19.99
PlayStation Store PS4 £19.99
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.
 

DetailsGame 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)


Taming Gaming Book 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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