Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition Rated For Nintendo Switch

In a recent listing, the ESRB has rated the Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition for several consoles, including the Nintendo Switch. Publisher Annapurna Interactive has been working on the game’s Switch port for several years but has failed to release it. However, this new E for Everyone rating suggests that the adventure game might soon be coming out on the console.

Outer Wilds’ Switch port was first made official at the February 2021 Nintendo Direct with a summer 2021 release date. But, obviously, that didn’t happen, and Annapurna delayed the Switch port indefinitely until further notice. The publisher did confirm last year that it was still in the works but didn’t give a specified release window.

Now, according to the ESRB rating above, it seems like Nintendo Switch players will finally get to experience Outer Wilds. The listing doesn’t reveal anything we don’t already know about the game. Players take control of an astronaut who is trapped in a time loop that ends with a supernova explosion. Hence, the galaxy is doomed, and we have to find clues, solve puzzles, and interact with aliens to save it.

Playing from a first-person perspective, we need to find the cause of this time loop and prevent everyone’s death. The loop in Outer Wilds resets after 22 minutes or when we die, which is infrequent per the ESRB rating. But, when your life does end, it happens dramatically with either suffocation in space or becoming a monster’s meal. You can also get crushed by falling sand, meaning there is a lot of fantasy violence in the game.

In addition, there is mention of alcohol with one dialogue talking about sap wine. This, alongside the violence, is the main reason for the game’s 10+ “E for Everyone” rating, as per the ESRB. Furthermore, this rating concerns the Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition and not the standard one. Right now, only the base version is up on the Nintendo Store with no release date, so this is something notable.

The Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition contains both the main game and the Echoes of the Eye expansion. In this DLC, you have to investigate an anomaly as part of the Hearthian space program and find more secrets in the Outer Wild. Both of these stories are already available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC as part of the Archaeologist collection.

Released in 2019, Outer Wilds was a massive success for developer Mobius Digital and Annapurna Interactive. The action-adventure game received universal critical acclaim from critics and fans alike. Its writing, exploration, narrative, and puzzles got ubiquitous praise, and the game’s design was also exceptional. Due to this reception, many publications like Polygon and Edge named it in their “best games of the decade” lists.

In addition, Outer Wilds was not only one of the best indie games of the year but also a standout candidate in the general categories. The game’s direction, design, and narrative received nominations at several award ceremonies. Furthermore, the Annapurna title won many Game of the Year awards, including the 16th BAFTA for Best Game. Hence, Nintendo Switch players are right to be excited about this impending release.

Similar Reads: 7 Indie Games Definitely Worth Your Time.