Review of Open Roads

Initial release date: February 22, 2024

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Cloud Gaming · 

Developers: Open Roads Team, Fullbright

Genres: Adventure game, Indie game, Adventure

Publisher: Annapurna Interactive

Mode(s): Single-player

I had the opportunity to attend a presentation of Open Roads by the development team back in January, and as I wrote in the preview, it brought back memories of all the wonderful things that resulted from the explosion of excellent narrative-driven walking simulations, which used to come out every month. So I won’t rehash the reasons why I adore them so much and cover old territory. Rather, I will discuss why Open Roads is such a touching and profound tale about relationships and family.

Before you move out of the family home, you, Tess, are tidying your room. As you procrastinate in your room in the beginning of Open Roads, you acquire random items such as old letters, posters, erasers, and other items. However, you also begin to get a sense of the 16-year-old girl and why you’re not exactly in a rush to have everything packed up. You begin learning more about the family, including your late grandmother and your father, who is currently living apart from your mother, along with Opal, your mother.

Certain objects you find throughout the house set off a cutscene in which you converse with your mother in the form of hand-drawn artwork. It’s quite nicely animated and serves as a good counterpoint to the realistic environment you’re exploring. Your mother used to reside at a summer cottage with her parents, which you discover when you stumble upon a box concealed behind the wall in the attic. I won’t give away any story details here, but it raises a lot of issues that Opal has attempted to keep to herself or conceal since it’s easier to face these issues head-on than to bottle them up.

The journey that lies ahead takes you to several destinations, all connected by Opal’s family history. Every space is quite highly detailed, and there is lots of interaction everywhere you look. You visit the summer house in one of the previous locations, where you discover the details of a brief but intense romance your mother had when she was in your age range. Conversational topics arise, to which you can respond in a variety of ways, providing you with a range of dialogue choices based on your emotional state. Tess and Opal’s bond is strengthened as a result, and you look forward to their next exchanges.

Keri Russell and Kaitlyn Dever both have outstanding acting. Opal exudes such warmth, and when her repressed grief seeps to the surface, it is depicted with such grace. Regarding Tess, at first glance she appears to be a normal teenage girl, but you soon realize the toll her parent’s predicament has taken on her. The more you get to know one another, the more you will find that they both have such a profound love and respect for one another. Though the tale is brilliantly crafted, what really drew me over to Open Roads was their relationship and the way it is explored.

Sitting in the car and listening to music was one of my favorite things to do in Open Roads. I know it sounds simple, but you should have seen my expression when “Heartbeats” by The Knife began to play. In these private settings, you can converse with your mother and learn more about her; generally, they’re quite laid back. In addition, you can use the glove compartment as a place to play, send texts on your phone, or just enjoy the view outside the window. Tess is a typical teenager in that she loves her father and mother equally, which can cause tension in the family dynamic as a whole. Despite this, Tess is usually polite and sympathetic.

Although Open Roads addresses a wide spectrum of emotions, for me it was primarily about how important it is to have parents that you can look up to and to be a good parent yourself. Several times it made me cry since I am aware of the damage that separation can do to kids. Children need your love and care even though they are resilient, and one thing it does so wonderfully is address the sensitivity in a marriage breaking down. Along with a great deal of humor, there’s some honest writing that contributes to the relationship’s authenticity and strikes the ideal balance between happiness and suffering.

In Open Roads, the journey holds equal significance to the destination. Even though the plot can get very complicated, it’s a mystery that never fails to captivate you. However, it’s also crucial to look everywhere and read everything, including the back of photos and lengthy letters. The numerous loving touches strewn throughout the home attest to the amount of love that has been invested in it. Great books have always been published by Annapurna, and this one is no exception.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 78%

Controls: 75%

Aesthetics: 82%

Content: 80%

Accessibility: 76%

Value: 80%

Overall: 78%

GOOD

Summary: “Open Roads” is an engrossing narrative experience that values narration and character development over conventional gameplay elements. The game’s exploration and character interactions create a moving trip, which is complemented with a visually spectacular presentation. While the speed encourages immersion, some players may find the interactive elements less demanding. The story explores vital issues of family and self-discovery, but more side content may improve replayability. Overall, “Open Roads” stands out as a significant and artistic product that provides a pleasant experience for those that enjoy narrative-driven games.