first-person

This whimsical but bland adventure sets you, a struggling journalist, on the path of legendary explorer Elizabert Megafig and her search for bugsnax—part bug, part snack! Unfortunately, the hit-or-miss fun of snak-hunting, the bizarre narrative, and characters' over-the-top personalities never gel to make a cohesive whole. 6 / 10.

Outer Wilds is an ambitious adventure of wonder and discovery set in a charming but dangerous diorama solar system. The soundtrack is one of the best I’ve heard from a videogame. At its core, this must-play game of creativity and heart encourages its players to bravely carry their memories of the past into an uncertain and changing future. 10 / 10.

By genuinely adapting to your choices, The Outer Worlds captures a real sense of creativity usually restricted to tabletop role-playing. The characters feel alive with memory and distinct personalities, and the world seamlessly integrates with the narrative. However, the path of least resistance is usually the violent one, and supposed cliffs of consequence are often just short ledges. 9 / 10.

You and a friend play as the Librarian and the Explorer, trapped in different areas of a castle with a series of puzzles standing between you and escape. Playing on different screens, communication is key to finding solutions, but a growing sense of menace rushes clear decision making. 7 / 10.