Seek, and you shall find! Explore miniature worlds and uncover everyday items while chilling out to laid-back beats.

Bursting with color and charm, Out of Sight is the promising debut from UK-based NinjaDuck Games. Located in Cheltenham in the Cotswolds, England, the studio was founded in 2018 by Adam, a University of Gloucestershire graduate with a degree in Film Production. Not only is he a self-taught solo developer, he has also created what may be the cutest logo in history for NinjaDuck Games. Their premiere project, Out of Sight, combines vivid landscapes with a soundtrack by lo-fi artist Purrple Cat. The result is a relaxing 3D scavenger hunt that’s perfect for a low-key gaming session after a stressful day.

GRAPHICS 9.5/10

Out of Sight’s bright and colorful graphics are its main attraction.

The simple, cel-shaded style brings to mind fellow eye-catching casual games like The Witness and Firewatch. The lighting is also gorgeous, especially the enchanting golden-hour glow that illuminates several levels (of which there are twenty-one, including the tutorial). Each area occupies a single tile surrounded by a blank void, giving you the impression of looking down on a handmade model. Environmental themes change as you progress through the levels, ranging in size from a single room to an entire city block. NinjaDuck Games shows off their impressive design chops by taking the player from farms and forests to cityscapes and pirate ships.

SOUND QUALITY 9/10

The music is just as much an MVP as the vibrant visuals.

The entire game is backed by chill, lo-fi hip-hop that’s like a warm, fluffy blanket for your ears. Purrple Cat’s minimalistic tunes flirt with the boundaries between calm and melancholy, creating an introspective atmosphere while you search. The game’s realistic sound design also enhances the overall experience. Birdsong in a suburban yard, the white noise of computers in an office, and distant sirens at a construction site add layers of life to each unique world.

GAMEPLAY 8.5/10

The controls are intuitive and easily mastered by the end of the tutorial.

Your score is determined by how many items you find; things hidden in plain sight are worth fewer points than those that require a little more maneuvering to spot. Some items can only be seen from a certain angle, while others are revealed after manipulating the environment, such as opening a door or moving a piece of equipment. Camera speed can be adjusted from the settings menu, allowing the player to customize their momentum. However, only three speeds are available, and even the slowest option was a little fast for my taste.

Levels start small and increase in size and complexity throughout each theme. Your checklist also expands as you go, but you only need to find a majority of the items in order to move ahead to the next area. Locating each article gives you a sense of accomplishment, especially the bonus rubber duckie from the studio’s logo! Finding and clicking on this little guy produces an eruption of confetti, a party squawker sound effect, and an inexplicable feeling of happiness.

OVERALL 9/10

Out of Sight is excellent for what it is: a well-polished casual gaming experience.

Each level is its own kind of interactive shadow box—a series of vibrant, serene microcosms with an array of objects to discover at your own pace. While the gameplay itself is straightforward, the seamless interface, clean visuals, and cozy soundtrack are what make this piece of playable artwork sing. Look close enough (which you can’t help but do during your laser-focused forays into each level), and you will see the developer’s fingerprints. If you need a no-pressure game to escape into, NinjaDuck Games has you covered with Out of Sight. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but in my opinion, it’s just as relaxing. 

Out of Sight was released on March 10, 2021 for PC. The latest version of the game was launched on March 16, 2021 and is available now on Steam. The reviewer purchased the game at full retail price.