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As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but notice how indie gaming has revolutionized the horror genre. Major studios often stick to what they know or avoid this thrilling realm altogether, but indie developers are consistently pushing boundaries and creating some truly innovative horror experiences. The latest example of this is “Out of Sight“, a chilling new game developed by The Gang and published by Starbreeze Entertainment. This indie horror project boasts a unique, captivating concept that sets it apart from the rest.

While there’s plenty to admire about “Out of Sight“, its main drawback is its brevity and failure to fully explore its intriguing premise. It leaves me yearning for more.

In a chilling narrative, we follow Sophie’s story, a young blind girl who has been kidnapped and confined within an eerie, haunted mansion. Somehow, she gains the power to see via her beloved teddy bear’s eyes. Utilizing this unexpected gift, Sophie attempts to break free from her captors. This unique premise transforms Out of Sight into a gripping second-person game, with the developers creatively incorporating this feature throughout the game’s concise duration.

Sophie manages to take her teddy bear along with her, but the grand mansion’s rooms are packed with conundrums and hurdles that frequently demand both of her hands. In such instances, Sophie needs to locate a spot where she can set down her teddy bear. The teddy bear serves as her eyes, showing her only what it can see from its current position, which adds an intriguing twist to solving puzzles.

In the game Out of Sight, the puzzles often involve a “pull and push” mechanism. For instance, there could be a lever that players must pull to open a door, but it’s too high for Sophie to reach. The players then need to find an object to move towards the lever to help Sophie reach it and progress further in the game. As the game advances, the puzzles grow more intricate, although I found some of them a tad simple. I enjoyed how the second-person perspective was employed in a few instances, but overall, the puzzles felt straightforward and unoriginal.

Out of Sight Stealth Sections Are Intense

The game Out of Sight primarily involves solving puzzles, but it also includes elements of stealth. As Sophie tries to escape, her captors quickly realize she’s on the run and pursue her relentlessly through the house. The stealth segments in Out of Sight aren’t overwhelming like they can be in other horror games; instead, they enhance the overall gaming experience. The game expertly builds tension, making the stealth sequences both thrilling and effective. What makes the chase sequences particularly chilling is a surprise element I won’t reveal here.

In the gameplay of Out of Sight, you dodge kidnappers and unravel easy puzzles, but what truly sets it apart is its unique presentation. Instead of opting for dark and grimy visuals, the graphics in this game resemble an animated children’s film. This, paired with a spine-chilling soundtrack and ominous threats from villains, creates a vibe reminiscent of Monster House. The art style also bears similarities to Little Nightmares, though it lacks the gorier aspects. This game offers a horror experience that is suitable for those not accustomed to such genres, while still maintaining an unsettling atmosphere that will appeal to horror enthusiasts.

While Out of Sight generally excels in many aspects, it encounters a few critical issues. Regrettably, there are some glitches in Out of Sight that significantly disrupt the gaming experience. At times, the character Sophie would get stuck between objects, necessitating a restart at a checkpoint. In another occurrence, Sophie refused to pick up an object I knew was essential for progression, and even restarting at a checkpoint failed to rectify the problem.

Out of Sight is Over Before It Really Gets Going

If Out of Sight were longer, the frequent interruptions in progress would be much more frustrating, yet this brevity also exposes one of its major flaws. Out of Sight can typically be finished within 3 hours or less, leaving few incentives to replay it afterwards, except for pursuing its accomplishments and trophies. Scattered throughout the levels are some collectibles, but they lack appeal and contribute little to the overall enjoyment.

As an avid gamer, I managed to conquer Out of Sight within approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, though I made a point to seek out hidden treasures along the way.

In “Out of Sight,” the brief playing time hinders it from fully realizing its potential. The innovative second-person narrative is skillfully employed, yet there’s insufficient time to delve deeper into its potential applications. While the game boasts some impressive moments, it could serve as an excellent introduction for those generally wary of horror games. However, it yearns for more substance to be transformed into a must-play experience for dedicated genre enthusiasts.

The game ‘Out of Sight’ is currently available on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X.”

“For this review, Game Rant received an Xbox Series X code.

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2025-05-22 17:40