Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds is a single-player open-world exploration and puzzle game. The game is set in a small solar system trapped within a continuous 22-minute time loop. The player takes the role of a new astronaut from the alien Hearthian species, launching into space on their first mission. As the loop endlessly resets upon death or the passage of time, the protagonist investigates ancient ruins left by the Nomai, an extinct race, to uncover the cause of the loop and the mysteries of the system. The central objective is not survival but understanding: by exploring planets, moons, and derelict stations, the player gathers knowledge to piece together the truth behind the phenomenon.

Exploration is freeform, with no fixed mission order or linear path. The player pilots a spaceship across the system, landing on different celestial bodies, each of which features unique terrain and hazards. Environments range from planets with dynamic weather and shifting sands to fragile structures orbiting close to a black hole. Movement includes flying the ship, jetpack-assisted traversal, and walking in low-gravity conditions. Managing oxygen and fuel resources adds a light survival element, requiring careful navigation and awareness of time.

Progression in Outer Wilds is knowledge-based rather than tied to character upgrades or inventory. Once a fact is discovered, such as the function of a machine or the location of an important site, that information persists between loops and can be recorded in the ship’s log. This creates a structure where solving mysteries, unlocking pathways, and recognizing environmental changes drive advancement instead of traditional leveling or resource accumulation.

Core mechanics emphasize observation and experimentation. The player uses tools such as a signal scope to track radio transmissions, a probe launcher to scout hazardous areas, and a translator to decode Nomai writings. Many puzzles involve understanding planetary mechanics, such as orbital timing, tidal forces, and environmental cycles, which reset and play out again with each loop. The lack of combat shifts the focus entirely to problem-solving and navigation under time pressure.