Out and About

Out and About is a cozy, slow-paced, and educational game focused on foraging, plant identification, and cooking with real-life botanical accuracy. Players appreciate the game's detailed art style, immersive environments, and the developer's dedication to authenticity, including a comprehensive in-game encyclopedia and real recipes available on a companion website. The game encourages a relaxed exploration style with a unique time progression mechanic tied to inventory sorting, which some players find innovative while others find disruptive. The story and character interactions add charm, though some find the early quests and fetch mechanics repetitive. Despite being in Early Access, the game is praised for its polish, smooth performance on various devices, and active developer engagement with the community. However, some players note the limited content, slow progression in unlocking areas, and desire for more gameplay variety, such as cooking mini-games and improved navigation features. Overall, the game is highly recommended for plant enthusiasts and fans of relaxing, educational experiences, with strong potential for growth through future updates.

Highlights

Players love the game's authentic plant identification system, detailed and charming art style, and relaxing atmosphere. The in-game encyclopedia is praised for its depth and educational value, while the soundtrack and sound design contribute to a cozy experience. The story and character interactions provide enjoyable and wholesome content. The game runs smoothly on multiple platforms, including handheld devices. The developers' commitment to authenticity and community interaction is highly valued, as is the inclusion of real-world recipes that players can try outside the game. The overall polish and immersive environment make it stand out among early access titles.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the repetitive nature of fetch quests and running around without clear navigation aids, which can frustrate players seeking more varied gameplay. The time progression linked to inventory sorting is divisive, with some finding it disrupts pacing. Cooking is limited to repetitive cutscenes without interactive mini-games, reducing engagement. Limited fast travel options and small map size contribute to tedious traversal. Some players report bugs, such as disappearing ingredients and camera issues, though these are acknowledged as early access problems. Additionally, a few players desire more content, deeper NPC relationships, and improvements to menus and quality of life features.