I think Out and About is a special game. It’s actually the first game I’ve played that includes these kinds of elements, which makes Out and About especially appealing to me. It’s a cozy foraging adventure about the magic of real-life plants. It’s up to you to identify and gather wild plants and mushrooms. You cook tasty recipes, master herbal remedies, and rebuild your community after a devastating storm. The game is developed and published by Yaldi Games.
Early Access and future plans
To start off, it’s important to mention that Out and About is still in Early Access. The developers are very clear about why: they’ve been working on the game for four years and now want to join hands with their players. By improving the game with community feedback, ideas, and priorities, they believe they can turn it into the best possible version of itself. The developers plan to keep the game in Early Access for about a year and then port it to other platforms. But I can already hear you thinking: how will the full version differ from the Early Access version? According to the developers, new seasons like summer and autumn will be added, along with new plants, new characters, additional friendship levels, and new story chapters.
Current state of the game
All of this sounds very promising, and I’m definitely curious to see how much the final version will actually differ. But what is the current state of the game right now? At the moment, the Early Access version includes one season (spring), 57 plants, mushrooms, and seaweed, 90 recipes, and 10 characters with three friendship levels. If the game sounds interesting to you, it might be smart to pick it up during Early Access. The developers have stated that they plan to gradually raise the price as new content and features are added. They also actively involve the community in the development process through Discord, TikTok, and Steam Discussions. This has been the case since the very beginning, with players helping out by giving feedback on things like hairstyles, facial features, and small gameplay tweaks. The developers are excited to continue this collaboration and deepen the dialogue during Early Access.
Gameplay and setting
The game takes place in the peaceful town of Portobello, where you help rebuild the community after a devastating storm. The main goal of the game is learning to recognize real-life plants and mushrooms. You also have to carefully consider which parts of a plant you harvest. If you’re not careful, the plant can die. Thoughtful harvesting is therefore essential. This makes the game not just about collecting, but about genuinely learning. What I personally really enjoy is that the recipes and remedies in the game are based on real-life recipes, which means they are, at least in theory, usable in real life as well.
Atmosphere and presentation
But now for the most important part: what is the game actually like? Out and About is a calm and cozy game with educational elements. One thing I personally appreciate is that the game also warns you not to just put any random leaf in your mouth, because some plants can be quite toxic. Especially in a time where everyone watches TikToks and believes everything has healing properties, this feels like a strong and responsible addition. The game looks and feels very peaceful, making it easy to truly relax while playing. This is thanks to its serene atmosphere, soft color palette, and calm soundtrack. This is definitely a game for people who love cozy games and, of course, nature.
Strengths and weaknesses
I really like the foraging system and think it’s very well thought out, so my compliments definitely go to the developers there. The calm storyline is also a nice touch for laid-back gamers. That said, I personally felt that after a while, the game became a bit too calm. The pace started to feel slower and slower, which eventually made it feel a bit boring to me. After a few hours, my brain was honestly craving a bit more dopamine. The game is just a little too slow for my personal taste, though that might also say more about the kind of gamer I am. After some time, the tasks began to feel fairly repetitive. I also found the interface a bit wonky at times. On top of that, the game doesn’t feel fully finished yet, but that’s understandable since it’s still in Early Access. The game is definitely not bad. In fact, I had a great time during the first few hours. After that, however, my interest started to fade. The game focuses heavily on nature exploration, but because it’s presented in a cozy, animated style, I didn’t fully get the realistic nature exploration feeling I personally was hoping for.
Conclusion
Out and About is a warm, calm, and original game that fits perfectly with players who love cozy games and nature. The foraging system is strong, educational, and clearly made with care, and the overall atmosphere truly invites you to relax. At the same time, the pacing won’t be for everyone. For me personally, the game became a bit too slow and repetitive over time, which caused my interest to drop. That being said, this game has a lot of potential. With the planned updates, additional seasons, and new content, Out and About could grow into a very beautiful and complete experience. Players who enjoy taking things slow and learning about nature will likely get a lot of enjoyment out of this game.
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