Just so that you’re aware, Outside the Blocks, from Michal Kubas, will give your hardware high blood pressure, the sweats, and hyperventilation. My fans were whirring so much that I may schedule a game of this during the summer to keep the air circulation up. But boy, is it worth it.
The visuals in this game are simply jaw-dropping. Initially seeing a screenshot or two, I thought, ‘Sure, I’ll give it a look’. After playing Dream Garden, I was up for some more diorama creativity and wasn’t prepared for how good the graphics are.
Vulgar Knight go-to phrase number 14: looks aren’t everything, ask my wife, indeed, graphics shouldn’t define a game, though when you’re creating some truly insane miniature vistas, Minecraft doesn’t cut it. Sorry, World, but that’s one reason why that giant still doesn’t resonate with me.
In Outside the Blocks, there is no other objective than to create an animated scene and push and pull at all the parts to have something truly unique. Sure, you can’t put it up on your shelf next to your Funkos or hidden cameras, yet looking at these on the monitor takes the screensaver and paint drying so much on the up.
As can be expected, a write-up about creating a Zen space is personal, and it’s like doing a review of that doodle I did the other day on the phone with the bird with the big ti- it’s subjective. Yes, the visuals are outrageous, but it’s the variety on offer here that makes it all the more indulgent.
A day/night cycle is available, as are weather elements, animals, and much, much more. Naturally, there is a finite amount of objects to use, though the customisation makes it incredibly flexible. As is always the pattern with this type of experience, the limitation, while cliché, is your imagination.
Admittedly, I plough through an unhealthy volume of titles, and even those that I’d like to keep playing have a shelf life due to the next review, or because having another ‘quick go’ of PowerWash Simulator 2 gets in the way. A behind-the-curtain reveal, I often hit my own block with this sort of thing, looking for symmetry, perfection, or inspiration. However, there’s something about Outside the Blocks that gives me a little more autonomy than most, and dare I bring it up again, this game is visually stunning.
Make your own snowglobe without the mess, intricacies with materials, or being branded a weirdo – Outside the Blocks is a pocket-sized getaway you’re likely to keep retreating to for the views.
