Return of the Obra Dinn Reviews
By hewing close to genre origins, both visually and thematically (though not without some genuine innovations of his own), Lucas Pope has delivered one of the best games of the year, and certainly one of the best murder mystery games of all time.
Lucas Pope's Return of the Obra Dinn is a maritime detective mystery that is unlike most any other game in the genre of interactive fiction.
So there you have it—we’re late to the party, but Return of the Obra Dinn is one of the best games of 2018. There are a good number of people who may not digest game criticism the same way we journalist folks may, so to be fair to us, Lucas Pope’s game is one that may fall through the cracks and be off the radar. Despite late game gripes, this mystery game is one that everyone with a computer needs to at least try. Pop in your earbuds, turn up the volume, perhaps close the lights, and get ready to watch some people die.
Return of the Obra Dinn lives up to the hype, and then some. It's a beautifully crafted and intricately constructed detective mystery unlike anything you've played before with a harrowing narrative at its centre. Unravelling its secrets takes time and requires patience, but you'll be glad you allowed the story to play out at its own pace. What we have here is a thoroughly unique experience that will stay with you, and is among best this genre has ever had to offer.
The Return of the Obra Dinn is a stunning work of craftsmanship. Pope, who handled every aspect of its production himself, has created a work that celebrates scrutinizing details.
One of, if not the best mystery adventures released to date.
Games like Return of the Obra Dinn are rare. They alternately make you feel like a complete idiot for missing what was in front of you and a bloody genius for solving the mystery. It’s remarkable how important it feels to figure everything out, especially given the lack of immediate stakes. After all, everyone on the ship is dead or gone; there is no time limit; there’s not even an apparent threat to your safety. But after you’ve witnessed only a few deaths, you become fully invested in figuring out precisely what happened to the crew of the Obra Dinn (for insurance purposes, of course). It made me feel more like a dogged detective than any game I’ve ever played. Despite some minor control issues on consoles, Return of the Obra Dinn remains possibly the most successful detective game ever made.
Return of the Obra Dinn breaks the mold of the gaming medium as an enthralling first-person mystery adventure with overtones of Edgar Allan Poe. This is an extraordinary conjunction of cerebral puzzle, supernatural nautical tale, and ornate art direction.
I love when something like Return of the Obra Dinn comes along and reminds me, even briefly, how many ideas are still unexplored.
It's easy to respect something like Return of the Obra Dinn. Puzzling together clues from each death scene is tricky and rewarding, but the motivation for doing so is lacking. There's no one to care about on the ship, no reason to uncover the mystery other than to prove you've done it, and it holds the game back from being exceptional.
Return of the Obra Dinn is a skillfully woven web of events and destinies. Unraveling it is not only an excellent workout for the mind, but also a real pleasure. Lucas Pope again remolded routine processes into an exciting gameplay, and, most importantly, he gracefully escaped the “second game syndrome”.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Lucas Pope once again proved that in order to create a masterpiece, there's no need for big teams or huge budgets. Lucas Pope's key to success has always been focusing on new, brilliant ideas, and that's no different when it comes to Pope's latest game, Return of the Obra Dinn. Lucas Pope's works will probably inspire many developers who love creating Video Games but feel that they don't have enough resources for their projects for many years to come.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Return of the Obra Dinn proves that there are still untouched ideas in the gaming world, and it is possible to create a game that is completely new. The game combines the power of its 1-bit graphic, impressive storytelling, and unique gameplay to make on the best detective and puzzle solving experiences for the gamers. I only hope to see the next Lucas Pope's game soon.
Review in Persian | Read full review
If you're into puzzle genre and you don't have a problem with spending time chasing clues, Return of the Obra Dinn is yours. Just be advised you need to have at least medium proficiency in English.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Overall, Return of the Obra Dinn is an incredibly compelling mystery that will constantly have you moving from clue to clue, itching to find that next bit of information that brings it all together.
Return of the Obra Dinn is without a doubt a thinking man/woman's piece of crumpet. It is someone that you can take out on a date and have a riveting conversation with, but then scratch your head about some of the things they've said afterwards.
Return of the Obra Dinn arrives on consoles with the same quality and originality that made it critically acclaimed one year ago.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Return of the Obra Dinn is a game with an excellent narrative. The player must use logical deduction and attend to the memories that he witnesses to deduce the destination of all the passengers. Lucas Pope returns to shine with a unique experience.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
If you're looking for a work that has the pleasure of solving riddles in games like Monkey Island, along with a fascinating story that's best told, you shouldn't miss Return of the Obra Dinn.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Other than the Myst games, I can’t think of any obvious points of comparison to help you decide whether or not to give Return of the Obra Dinn a chance. The lack of guidance and completely open nature of the puzzles separate it from the likes of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter which had you solving smaller puzzles one at a time. This originality is the exact reason you should try it for yourself. I can’t guarantee you’ll love it as much as I did, but I’m certain it will keep nagging away at you in the back of your mind, encouraging you to boot it up one more time to see what else you can discover.