Some game concepts sound incredible on paper. Imagine controlling two different characters: one moves through the environment, while the other observes the world and helps navigate. Out of Sight, a new horror-puzzle game, runs with this innovative concept—so much so that some have referred to it as a “second-person game.” But as Out of Sight demonstrates, even a great idea can only go so far without strong execution.
A Dark Fairy Tale With Creepy Undertones
Out of Sight begins with strong visual and thematic parallels to games like Little Nightmares. You play as Sofie, a blind orphan trapped in a mysterious, ominous orphanage. But Sofie isn’t completely helpless—she’s accompanied by a supernatural doll, which she can use to “see” the world around her.
Through this doll’s perspective, you guide Sofie to freedom. The orphanage staff, who appear to be hiding dark secrets, are actively trying to prevent children from escaping. And it’s up to Sofie and her magical doll to find a way out—without being caught.
Gameplay: Dual-Control with a Clever Twist
The gameplay revolves around controlling both Sofie and her doll. Since Sofie is blind, you view the world through the eyes of the doll. Strategically placing the doll in the environment gives you visibility, allowing you to then guide Sofie safely through obstacles and puzzles.
This dual-character mechanic is genuinely creative and adds a layer of strategy and suspense. However, the puzzles that support this system are shockingly simple. Nearly every challenge can be solved on the first try, and they never truly evolve in complexity as the game progresses. It feels like the puzzles were sacrificed to highlight the core mechanic, rather than being designed to complement it.
Atmosphere: Creepy, but Repetitive
From its haunting artwork to its unsettling character portraits on the orphanage walls, Out of Sight creates an atmosphere that’s subtly disturbing. The idea of playing as a blind child being hunted by caretakers, with only a doll for vision, is uniquely eerie and effective. The storytelling also borrows from horror-themed animations, using narration that’s well-written and tonally fitting.
Unfortunately, environmental design doesn’t evolve. Most areas look the same, and you frequently pass through dark crawlspaces to transition between rooms—so frequently, in fact, that it feels like a third of the game is spent crawling. While the audio design remains strong, the visual monotony diminishes immersion.
Sound Design Shines Brightest
Out of Sight’s sound design is exceptional, clearly inspired by titles like Hellblade. Voices echo in Sofie’s mind, heightening the psychological tension. The developers even recommend playing with headphones for the best experience—and rightly so.
Voice acting is also a highlight. All three major characters are performed well, conveying subtle emotions and enhancing the sinister tone of the game. Unfortunately, the soundtrack doesn’t leave much of an impression—there are no standout musical themes, and the music often fades into the background unnoticed.
Performance and Technical Issues
On the technical side, the game offers both Quality and Performance modes, and the experience is mostly smooth. However, occasional stuttering and one notable bug involving Sofie teleporting away from the doll’s location disrupted gameplay. Reloading a checkpoint fixed the issue, and it’s likely that future updates will address these bugs.
Short Length, Weak Ending
Out of Sight is a brief experience—about three hours long—but it stumbles in its final act. After laying a solid foundation, the ending feels rushed and underwhelming, relying on a single mechanic and ignoring the game’s most unique features. Facing the antagonist should have been a climactic payoff, but instead, it’s a missed opportunity that falls back on predictable design.
Final Thoughts: A Promising First Attempt
Out of Sight is the debut title from Swedish indie studio The Gang, who previously developed games for the Roblox platform. For a first full-feature title, their creativity is commendable—but the game suffers from a lack of depth and an over-reliance on a single mechanic.
There’s a lot of heart here: a fantastic premise, solid voice work, and eerie atmosphere. But the puzzle design, level variety, and pacing leave much to be desired. If you’re curious about experimental narrative formats or want a brief creepy adventure with unique mechanics, Out of Sight is worth trying. Just don’t expect much beyond its initial charm.
