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Return of the Obra Dinn

Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4 • 2018

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Quick resume

Lost at sea 1803 ~ The good ship Obra Dinn.

Global score

97/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Puzzle

Pros

  • Unique and immersive detective gameplay
  • Highly rewarding logical deduction
  • Distinctive 1-bit art style
  • Engaging narrative and atmosphere
  • Excellent soundtrack and sound design

Cons

  • Some ui and navigation tedium
  • Lack of replay value after completion
  • Occasional difficulty spikes and obscure clues
  • No multiplayer or social features
  • Slow pacing and forced waiting in scenes

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have freedom to explore the ship, investigate scenes in any order, and make their own deductions without hand-holding or forced paths."

  • Competence
    5

    "The game demands high skill in logical deduction, observation, and memory, rewarding players with satisfying feedback when correct."

  • Competition
    -4

    "Focus is on individual puzzle solving and personal progress without comparison or competitive elements."

  • Continuation
    3

    "Many players report long, immersive sessions and a desire to replay or continue exploring the mysteries."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Entirely a single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer components."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players creatively piece together clues and form unique solutions, though within the fixed narrative and puzzle structure."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is solitary and self-paced."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Highly immersive and atmospheric, providing a strong escape into a mysterious historical setting."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and curiosity, not due to obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Encourages trying different deduction approaches and revisiting scenes to test hypotheses."

  • Exploration
    4

    "Players explore the ship and multiple time-frozen scenes to discover clues and piece together the story."

  • Expression
    -3

    "Minimal customization or personalization; players work within a fixed visual and narrative framework."

  • Fantasy
    2

    "While grounded in historical setting, the supernatural pocket watch and narrative add a light fantasy element."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "No social or community features; experience is solitary."

  • Growth
    5

    "Strong emphasis on learning, skill development in deduction, and knowledge accumulation."

  • Health
    -5

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity components."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention and active engagement; some waiting during scene transitions but mostly attentive play."

  • Intimacy
    -5

    "No social interactions or relationship building; purely individual experience."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements."

  • Progression
    4

    "Progression through unlocking knowledge of crew identities and fates, advancing the story and puzzle completion."

  • Relaxation
    2

    "Atmospheric and immersive, but some players find puzzle difficulty and repetition stressful."

  • Sensation
    2

    "Distinctive visual style and evocative music provide unique sensory experience, though not intense stimulation."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems."

  • Story
    5

    "Strong narrative immersion through piecing together a complex mystery and uncovering the ship's story."

  • Strategy
    5

    "High mental challenge requiring logical reasoning, planning deductions, and problem solving."

  • Thrill
    2

    "Some suspense and tension in uncovering mysteries, but overall controlled and thoughtful pacing."

  • Value
    4

    "Highly praised for quality and uniqueness, considered excellent value for time and money."

  • Violence
    3

    "Game involves investigating deaths and violent fates, though presented in stylized, non-graphic manner."

  • Survival
    3

    "Focus on uncovering causes of death and survival outcomes, though no active survival gameplay."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026