A Look Back at the Story of Outer Wilds 

The first time I played it was the night I discovered my dog was dying, and I played it to stay awake with him until the vet opened. After chewy died, I found the “end of the game” (I refuse to spoil anything) and I haven’t been touched by a piece of art like that before or since. It had a sense of optimism to what came next and was a lesson about mortality that I won’t forget.

Outer wilds is a game I will forever remember, not many other games have given me such satisfaction when solving puzzles, its such a good blend between cozy and fear of the unknown. Glad its gotten a lot more recognition over the past few years and that you’re covering it now

My kids keep asking me to spoil this game for them. I can’t. I won’t.

At 22:00 in the video he shows the supernova. Nice editing.

“Some of y’all sleep to these videos” is great

Time to re-live the joy of descovery vicariously again.

I've always thought that 22 minutes was the loop time because thats as much time as the Nomai could squeeze out of a supernova. Their writings talk about how the amount of energy required for larger and larger time differences increases at a disgustingly high exponential rate. And the most energy they could ever possibly generate was from a supernova. They calculated that even with the astronomical amount of energy generated by a supernova, the most time that would buy them was a measly 22 minutes. Banger video as always, brother.

In the stranger's simulation there's a panel thrown away that shows a flower followed by the finding of the eye, wich implies that the strangers knew finding the eye would give birth to new life but still chose to not let their current one die. This was most likely the reason why the Prisioner released the eye's signal and why the cry at the end is most likely from relief and his efforts were not in vain.

One genius aspect of Outer Wilds is that the puzzles don't need items or level ups or dialogs to be unlocked : you can do everything first time, as long as you know. Usually game devs don't do that because it's too obvious and there is no challenge, but Outer Wilds managed to do puzzles that you can solve without item/dialog unlock but that you mostly don't solve at first because they test your knowledge. And when you understand, you excaim "it was obvious ! It was under my nose from the start !". This game is lightning in a bottle. (sorry if I'm not clear english is not my first language) @Gingy I'm not sure you "fly right through" the quantic moon, it's just the atmosphere make you lose visual contact for a second so the moon just change position (I think).

Note that we dont really "expierience" the time loops from a lore perspective. The nomai said people were arriving before they even entered the black hole, meaning the memories we have of the cycles come to us before we even have a chance to do them. Its like sitting in your chair and telling yourself "im going to read this book now", and the second you finished that thought you suddenly know the entire content of that book, because you read it in a now erased future and send those memories back to the "real" you, right this moment. i know its really hard to wrap you head around. But essentially, for our hearthian protagonist, he wakes up, and gets his head flooded instantly with all the information you will ever gather in the game. He knows there were multiple loops but he can only recollect waking up once, and suddenly having all that knowledge. The whole wake up, die, repeat stuff only happens in a theoretical future that gets erased instantly, because we get that knowledge in the past and thus prevent that future from happening, and even if we choose to repeat the same future, the machine causing the loop will eventually shut off, be it by us or natural causes, erasing the theoretical timelines, leaving us once again where we started the game.

I’m so glad you explained the fact that watching this video will rob you of the whole point of this game. It really is a once in a lifetime experience.

Something fascinating about the ending that stuck out to me is that the music that played during the Big Bang has the same melody that the Outer Wilds Ventures and Friends played at the campfire. While the post-credit scene does confirm that the gang had some physical influence on the new universe, this brings up an interest regarding the Quantum Frequency that the signal scope picks up when pointing at quantum shards and the quantum moon; the frequency plays a chorus-like tone that changes its pitch now and again, so taking the post-credit scene and the Big Bang melody, this leads me to infer that the Quantum Frequency is actually evidence of music from the last universe. Who knows, maybe the people from the last one had the exact same experience as us and they, too, decided to sing in the last moments of their existence, leaving this frequency as their remnants. It's also sweet to think that our song might play in the new universe in quantum objects, being a representation of how three different species came together in their united curiosity and acceptance of the end.

35:50 This moment. This sequence of you going into the Stranger, finding the boat and then dropping into a ring-world. I never had to pick my chin of the floor more than during this moment

Dont sell yourself short. Your videos are absolutely not mediocre!

Amazing video, one small thing you said about the strangers tech allowing them to see the future. But didn’t elaborate. But they could scan brain waves and feel emotions of others implying the eye is another living entity. Also the brain tech is how they built the dream by using emotions and memories to construct an experience. Amazing video, love listening to others play throughs.

Your videos are always a big treat. Your writing is so good. Thanks!

Easlily in my top5 gaming experiences of all time. And I'm playing video games since like 1992 or 1993. It's a materpiece. Thank you for the video man. You reminded me how good Outer Wilds was. I'm already starting to forget how the final puzzle sequence works so I may try to go through the whole thing in VR at some point to make it fell fresh again.

amazing video as always Gingy, keep up the good work

YES! Been waiting for this review. Definitely be enjoying this video on repeat for a few weeks, gotta relive my first playthrough of this game somehow. :_)

I think the "stealth" elements off the strangers puzzle was meant to present you with the challenge faced by that species. To get through the puzzle the player must go against instincts and deliberately provoke the scary monsters, luring them away from the path they were blocking. The design of of the levels and strangers are meant to evoke a sense of fear, essentially helping to tell a story through gameplay mechanics about the need to overcome the fear of death.

This is one of my absolute favorite games. I wish I could wipe my memory of having played it so I can play it again for the first time. Since that's not possible, I watch a lot of blind playthroughs and get my kicks from watching others experience its wonder and perfection for the first time.

One of the most beautifully melancholic and hopeful games, so wonderful. The music especially has a huge impact on me, I’m glad it has some key importance start to end. Acceptance doesn’t have to be bleak, a comforting message! Also glad that this experience is one of a kind, special is defined thus. I’ve listened to many essays on this game I and I hope many more enjoy it. Great work and insight! ❤

I'm ill and have been watching Gingy story analyses for the past 10 hours. What's another hour, really?

I like the interpretation that the prisoner understood his species wasn't the one to make the call about the fate of the universe, that's why he deactivated the signal, thats why he screeched knowing what he did was heard and was ready to pass the torch to a new generation, just like the nomai gave the "torch" to your species in the game by caring for your ancestors.

Gingy, your channel has provided me with countless hours of entertainment while at my job. I tried The Outer Wilds around the time the DLC came out after hearing about the game time and time again. I flew straight to Giants Deep and was paralyzed with a fear I’ve never felt before or since. I instantly uninstalled and haven’t gone back since. I still think about it and after watching your video and a few other retrospectives, I am going to try again and hopefully complete it this time. Thanks for being an awesome creator

48:13 haha nice dude ! a genius match cut

calling your videos "mediocre" is just insulting, Gingy you genuinely make amazing videos. They are always so well written, spoken and often help me to get a better understanding for games I've played but didnt understand on a deeper level, and for that I want to thank you

Just popping in to say that these videos have come such a long way, they’re amazing.

Would've never learned about this game if it wasnt for you! Such a cool concept amd another great video for me to sleep too. Thankyou for not including a loud part at the end lol

I love this game so much it is literally perfect for me the music the atmosphere the gameplay the story ... and I love your videos the combination of both you and one of my favorite games is just perfection thank you so much can't wait for your next vid

i finished outer wilds right after discovering your channel, can't beliebe it's all coming together

Thank you for creating this! I get super dizzy playing games like these but I always wanted to play. Thanks to this video I could finally experience the story.

good video im excited to see all the coming videos have agreat day man

Man I love him just ranting and telling about messed up things in a calming voice 🤣

Let’s go!! I’ve been waiting for this!

I keep finding myself applauding at the end of each video. Like I've just witnessed a beautiful play or life changing seminar

Great video outer wilds in my opinion the perfect game and is glad to have experienced it looking forward to your next video

I didnt expect this video but i needed it

I saw this video, held off on watching it, and ended up finally getting around to playing it. Finished it today. Not really sure how to describe it but I loved it. Great video as always.

Great video as always

Every time this game gets covered by a larger channel it makes me incredibly happy. Outer Wilds is far an away the best game I've played and definitely a once in a lifetime experience for anybody. You've done the game justice with an incredible video ❤

Love this game, thanks for making the video.

Peak recognizes peak I was excited to see your video and I am very glad you liked it I don't know why but I get teary eyes whenever I ponder about the game, I love it so much and will forever recommend it

I discovered you through the FF16 video, which onot only convinced me to buy that game, but also made you one of my favorite creators. I am always excited when I see a community post, about a new project!

I just got this and finished it. Thank you for posting this! Excited to hear your thoughts. 🐐🐐🐐

I haven't had any spoilers of this game because I want to experience it, so I'm just here to say I really like ur videos and keep going

Yay, my favorite game of all time gets featured! 🥳

Your Script Wiriting at the End gave me chills. So good

I waited for it so long.

Hell ya! Im so ready for this!

My friend has told me to play this for years and I stubbornly never did. This video is the catalyst for me to play it TODAY. I will be back with my reportings.

Again another beautiful video

Truly a beautiful game

Funfact for those who found the eye and the quantum moon stuff interesting, that's an actual principle of quantum mechanics called "Quantum Superposition" tldr it works more or less how this game presented it. An object in superposition occupies all possible states until it is observed. the cat in Schrodinger's box is both alive and dead at the same time until observation collapses its quantum state.

Every time I think about the campfire song, it gets stuck in my head and my heart gets heavy. Brilliant experience!

I really enjoyed this video. It is not mediocre at all. It is very well done.

A beautiful perspective about death in the ending Gingy. Thank you. Such really is life.

Beautiful video thank you

You are rapidly becoming my comfort RU-vidr Love the long form content The videos are so well made Thank you for the amazing content

Man i finanlly get to watch your video! I had this game in my backlog for a few months now, and everybody told me to go in completely blind. So naturally i put off watching your video until i was done with the game. And i got to finish it this weekend. And while the end was predictably bitter sweet, i kow get to watch your video... Finally :))

The message at the end is somewhat comforting to me as on this day I buried my Abuelo, it is somewhat comforting to make the most of what we have while we are here because at the end all we have is our experience in life. I just hope that at the end we all enjoy what we've done in life. (5-31-2024)

Ever since your tweet I’ve been stoked for this one. Hell yeah’

Judging by your previous videos and the understanding I got from your taste in video games, the moment I saw the word perfect on the thumbnail of this video I knew I should play it myself. About 60% through the game I was really tempted to just watch the video and spoil the game. But the intro convinced me to finish it myself so thank you for that. Now I can confidently say Outer Wilds is one of my top 3 games of all time and it's sad that I won't be able to experience it again.

Love your work man even though I honestly didn’t like this game I’ll watch any of your analysis

Gasped when I saw you made a video on this I love you Gingy

It always makes me happy to see someone discover all that this game is. One more, just happy to be roasting marshmallows at the end of it all.

I literally cried when I finished this game. It was so beautiful and somber. And never being able to play it the same ever again is bittersweet but fits so well with the theme. Surprised you didn’t talk about the music. The soundtrack is what keeps me going and actually playing the songs myself and in my own interpretations is how I can truly relive this experience

I thought I could watch though all of this and was diapointed when you started talking about the dlc because I haven't finished it yet. 30 minutes into a video, very engaged and now I must continue to not be spoiled if the mysteries. A

Your analysis has been really touching, as was the Game when I played it. Thank you very much. On regard of your awesome way of approaching the narrative of the videogames I'd like to ask you if you know the Stasis universe and The Brotherhood games. I think you might enjoy them and their themes.

Loved this game. It took me years to beat this game since every time I tried to play I just couldn't get into it. I kept coming back to it because of how much praise it got, and on my third try (after owning the game for 3 years) it finally clicked and I couldn't put it down.

The game about enjoying the journey and moving forward and being in the moment can only be truly experienced once. The medium is the message. Mastery.

New Gingy video on one of my favorite games ever what a lovely day

Boy does seeing the end again bring tears to my eyes...then an ad played lol

Hearing the ending of Outer Wilds always manages to make my cry. Genuinely, such a wonderful, marvelous game.

I played this game at probably the lowest point in my life: I had spent a terrible trimester in high school after quarantine, which hurt me way more than I was aware of (alongside other stuff). So I forced myself to try out this game I had bought many months before at the beginning of the Christmas holidays. This experience changed me. I had never experienced this much curiosity, this much emotional connection to a videogame's world. I had so many moments where my jaw dropped and I gasped in disbelief, even to some things that probably weren't that exciting. Sometimes it was too much to bear, I feared exploring new planets and the lore bombshells often made me have to take a rest. The game made me care when I just didn't care about anything in life anymore. I finished the game the day before the second trimester began, and the ending was very much lifechanging. Really. An entire game full of new experiences and emotions built up to such an emotional ending that opened my eyes to a new life perspective. I felt refreshed. I went to the first day of the second trimester feeling like a new person. Things got better, even if slowly, but Outer Wilds gave me a purpose and taught me in a beautiful way the value of life, time, the beauty of the world and of death and the fleetingness of it all.

Awww a new gingy video. Can't wait to learn about outer wilds.

53:00 "You know some of us sleep on these videos" 👀 THAT is entirely your fault, to have such an awesome voice !!!

One of the best RU-vidrs made a video on the best game ever. Perfect.

I can't listen to the full traveler's song without crying. This game resonated with me on such a deep level. The DLC story in particular.

the big bang at the end has the best music in the game imo

A small detail you missed - the prisoner wanted to unblock the eye because the vision of the destruction of the universe briefly showed a flower growing out of the skull. He understood it to mean that a new universe would be born. When you find the prisoner’s burned house you see his painting showing the flower with galaxies growing on it

About the stealth section in the DLC, there is a way to do the sections without needing to sneak around the strangers and Andrew Cunningham made an excellent video about the subject of if they are intended to be stealthed or not. Highly recommend watching his video. And i must admit i never thought about how out of place the sections feel for outer wilds until i learned that it is indeed possible to treat it as a puzzle and not a stealth section.

This games finale is hands down one of the best and most beautiful interpretations of the death and rebirth of the universe I have ever seen. Makes me cry everytime I hear that song.

I made a comment about the video needing a firmer spoiler explanation and deleted it because yours is great. I am someone who was watching a video for the game and was turned away by a spoiler warning and couldn't be more thankful. Finished the video and I'm glad you enjoyed the game so much. One moment in the game I enjoy particularly much that you didn't go too deep on is when you finish the DLC and explain everything to the Stranger. The explanation you give him ( the video that plays) is different depending on the amount of information you have discovered up to that point, so you can either give the Stranger the fullest possible explanation knowing everything, the bare minimum if you complete the DLC without doing anything else, or varying degrees between the two and the cutscene will change accordingly. I really enjoy the full explanation cutscene and the song that plays ("Echoes of the Eye"), and I can't help but get emotional watching it because I think it embodies the themes of the game so beautifully. Playing this and returning to it for the DLC is a unique experience due to the problem you talk about at the end of the video of understanding the solution, but needing to go on anyway. Playing this way and still going after all the information so I could tell the Stranger the fullest explanation was quite rewarding and the end of the DLC rivals the end of the main game to me, which would have seemed impossible to even consider at the time. Great game and great video!

This game is incredible. The music alone makes my skin crawl. It's such a terrifying theme to talk about and explore. It has deeply philosophical questions of your sense of being and questions a lot of how you perceive de world around you. I played this game while waiting for my daughter to be born, and this game made question a lot about myself. She's here now, and the world has never been the same again since she was born into it. I hope that one day I'm able to see her experience with the Outer Wilds. This is how important I think this game is. It's unbelievably good.

Brothers code Elden Ring, and now outer wilds? What a great day

Id love to see you review signalis, perfect kind of game for this video format

On one hand. New gingy video is always exciting. On the other, i mourn all the people who watch this video that havent played this game first

Thanks for creating these deep-dives into cool games. That being said, if you ever decide to do one for Starfield, the latest update has greatly improved the overall quality of the game from it's launch last September; it's actually fun now, and looks great... if you're looking for a space game.

My first thought was that the universe itself is in a time loop. That pressing the orb and restarting the universe is actually sending the signal back to just before the universe existed and leaving the universe with a signal to lure someone in to repeat the process

"Unfortunately, I was born too late to explore our planet and too late to explore our solar system." What a beautiful quote.

you are an awesome person.

You made me cry like a baby. This game is easily one of the best games ever made and this video really honored it. You are an amazing content creator. Please create a patreon because your content is incredible and I want you to keep doing this. Thank you for reminding me of every bit of happiness that this game brought me.

I never realized the 400 year beginning part when I played through it, crazy stuff! Also....I totally bailed on the DLC, I was too stumped myself, but the story is great!

Every time I remember the ending I think of the Silmarillion. Starts with the God Eru Illuvatar and the Ainur playing music that births a new universe full of life, that eventually leads to the events of LOTR

Great video, outer wilds is such a lovely game. Talking about lovely games. Have you ever been interested in playing fear and hunger / fear and hunger termina? Where termina is a sequel you can play them in either order as the games merely reference to each other and they take place hundreds of years apart with very different characters yet very similar themes. Personally, the first game has more to say in my opinion but the second plays so much better and has really refined the game in an overall sense. I would love to see your take on such a unique, dark and depressing game so filled with great story's and a magnificent atmosphere.

Great video as always! One small corrections though, not all stars end up as supernovae. It depends on the mass of the star. Some become pulsars, some become white dwarfs, some become brown dwarfs.

How dare know I use your videos that I've already watched so I can sleep? 😂😂😂

Life before Death. Strength before Weakness. Journey before Destination.

This is my favorite game of all time. I won't watch the video because I'm trying to stay away from it, so that I can someday replay it again. With luck I'll have a third of the experience I had the first time I played.