Out of Sight Review: A Fresh Take on Horror and Puzzle Adventure
I recently dove into ‘Out of Sight’ on the Switch 2, and it’s a game that grabs you with its clever ideas, even if it leaves you wanting more. Developed by The Gang and published by Starbreeze Entertainment, this indie horror puzzler introduces a unique twist to the genre. You play as Sophie, a blind girl who escapes her kidnappers in a spooky, gothic mansion. The catch? She can only see through the eyes of her teddy bear, creating a second-person viewpoint that’s both innovative and eerie.
The core mechanic is what makes ‘Out of Sight’ stand out. Sophie carries her teddy bear to explore, giving you a first-person view to scan rooms for clues or secrets. When it’s time to solve puzzles, you place the bear on specific spots—marked by pink blankets—to switch to a second-person angle. From there, you guide Sophie as she pushes boxes, pulls levers, or climbs objects to progress. This setup feels fresh and forces you to think creatively about positioning the bear for the best view. On the Switch 2, the controls are smooth, with the right stick adjusting the bear’s line of sight and the left stick moving Sophie. The game runs beautifully, with no noticeable lag or graphical hiccups, making the mansion’s creepy vibe pop on the console’s vibrant screen.
Puzzles are the heart of the game, though they’re a mixed bag. Some are satisfyingly tricky, like figuring out how to stack objects to reach a high switch while keeping the bear in a spot to see Sophie’s actions. Others feel too simple, relying on basic push-and-pull mechanics that don’t fully challenge you. I hit a few frustrating moments where Sophie wouldn’t interact with objects correctly, like refusing to pick up the bear because the game prioritized a nearby box. These glitches were rare but annoying, especially in tense moments.
The horror elements shine brighter than the puzzles. Sophie’s captors, creepy adults with sinister motives, stalk the mansion, leading to tense stealth sections. Hiding under tables or behind furniture while watching through the bear’s limited view creates heart-pounding moments. Chase sequences ramp up the fear, with clever camera shifts that make you feel vulnerable as Sophie scrambles to safety. The game’s atmosphere, nails a balance between whimsical and unsettling. Soft lighting, pastel colors, and towering furniture give the mansion a distorted, childlike menace, perfectly capturing Sophie’s perspective.
Sound design adds to the chills. Creaking floorboards, distant thumps from enemies, and Sophie’s panicked breaths pull you into the experience. On the Switch 2, the audio feels immersive, especially with headphones, as whispers and footsteps echo around you. The voice acting is solid, with Sophie’s innocent yet determined tone making her easy to root for. Villains deliver creepy lines that hint at a dark ritual, though the story itself keeps things vague.
The narrative follows Sophie’s escape from the mansion, with bits of lore revealed through environmental details like scattered bandanas or eerie portraits. Dialogue between Sophie and her bear, or overheard from enemies, builds a mysterious vibe, but don’t expect clear answers. Questions about how Sophie sees through the bear or the kidnappers’ full motives are left unresolved, which feels like a missed opportunity. The story’s ambiguity is intriguing but can leave you frustrated by the end.
My biggest gripe is the length. I finished ‘Out of Sight’ in about three hours, even while hunting for collectibles, which don’t add much to the experience. The short runtime keeps the game from diving deeper into its clever mechanics or story. Just as the puzzles start introducing new ideas, like twisting rooms to reveal hidden paths, the credits roll. At a budget price, the length feels fair, but I was left wishing for more rooms to explore or a meatier narrative payoff.
Despite its flaws, ‘Out of Sight’ is a gem for horror fans looking for something new. Its second-person mechanic is a bold twist that makes every puzzle and chase feel unique. The Switch 2 version runs flawlessly, with crisp visuals and intuitive controls that make the experience accessible yet engaging. It’s not as terrifying as hardcore horror titles, but its creepy charm and inventive gameplay make it a great pick for newcomers or genre veterans.
