Game intel
Out and About
I’ve lost count of how many “cozy” titles I’ve tried—Stardew Valley, Spiritfarer, Roots of Pacha—but none have made me pause like Out and About. Developed by the Scottish-German indie duo at Yaldi Games, this Early Access release on Steam (August 7, 2025) swaps farm grinds and inventory sprawl for a sustainability-first twist on exploration. Is it just another picturesque time-sink, or a genuinely fresh take on the genre? Spoiler: I’m firmly in the latter camp.
The term “cozy game” often conjures up pixel farms, cuddly critters, and endless resource hoarding. Cozy sims invite you to unwind, build, and explore at your own pace—but they can sometimes blur into repetition. Out and About carves its own niche by focusing on mindful foraging, real-world plant knowledge, and a living ecosystem that reacts to your every move. If you’ve ever wanted a gaming escape that doubles as a mini nature course, this might be the one.
Instead of tilling endless fields or clearing forests in a single afternoon, you’re handed a backpack, a field guide, and a mission: return to Portobello, your storm-ravaged hometown, and restore its natural balance. Right away, you notice how Yaldi Games trims the bloat. There’s no giant inventory, no sprawling tech trees—just you, the woods, and a list of species to identify. Every stroll feels purposeful, not just a grind for materials.
You begin your journey on the outskirts of town, where toppled fences and broken signs hint at nature reclaiming its space. The first few hours are dedicated to learning how to navigate marshes, woodlands, and rocky shorelines. Your trusty digital notebook logs every specimen you’ve spotted, complete with sketches and notes on habitat. I’ll admit, at first I clipped a few too many mushrooms—only to watch that patch vanish until days later. That tiny penalty set the tone: this isn’t a loot-and-leave experience.
In Early Access you’ll encounter over 50 plant and fungi species, each modelled with careful botanical accuracy. From golden chanterelles hiding under ferns to bright red amanitas you dare not touch, every find feels earned. Yaldi Games plans to expand that roster to 100+ species by full release, so there’s always a new leaf or cap to hunt for. When I finally spotted my first puffball nestled in moss, I actually felt a rush—proof that good design can turn pixelated plants into genuine discoveries.
“Only take what you need” isn’t just lip service. Pick too many yarrow plants and you’ll see that colony wither off-screen until you give it time to regrow. This living ecosystem mechanic transforms foraging into a meditative puzzle: How much can you harvest without tipping the scales? I found myself counting stems, questioning whether I needed all three nettle clumps for dinner. Any cozy sim can hand you resources. Out and About asks you to respect them.
Your findings aren’t simply raw materials. They become herbal tinctures, nourishing recipes, or rustic dyes that breathe life into Portobello’s revival. Early on, I brewed a small batch of chamomile tea—enough to calm my virtual neighbors after a storm scare. Later, I contributed nettle-infused frittatas to a community potluck that unlocked a side quest with the local baker. Every crafted item carries weight, whether you’re treating an NPC’s fever or dyeing yarn for the arts-and-crafts fair.
The town of Portobello isn’t just window dressing; it evolves alongside your efforts. Repair the apothecary’s roof, and its doors swing open to new herbal quests. Host a seasonal market, and merchants bring exotic seeds from afar. I spent an afternoon helping the blacksmith identify dye plants for a new forge banner—suddenly his workshop buzzed with fresh dialogue and regional lore. Each success weaves a narrative thread that makes every trek through the woods feel connected to a larger story.
Art direction leans into soft, hand-drawn textures that complement the game’s educational bent. Leaves rustle gently, water ripples with translucent clarity, and hidden critters scurry out of sight as you approach. The ambient soundtrack—rich with birdcalls and wind chimes—perfectly matches the unhurried pace. Even interface sounds, like the satisfying flip of a notebook page, reinforce the tactile joy of learning about the natural world.
True, no Early Access is perfect. I’ve seen occasional frame-drops when loading new map regions, and the map marker system can feel clunky before you unlock advanced filters. But Yaldi Games is laser-focused on community feedback. The developers have already patched UI improvements, added a wish-list of species suggestions, and hinted at future features like seasonal weather changes and deeper NPC backstories.
If you’ve backed games like Slime Rancher or Moonlighter at launch, you know the thrill of witnessing a vision blossom in real time. Out and About’s core loop is solid—now it just needs player insights to grow into its full potential.
If you crave high-octane combat or labyrinthine simulation, this might not be your jam. But if you’re after a relaxed pace, a sense of genuine discovery, and the chance to pick up real-world foraging tips, put Out and About on your radar. It’s perfect for anyone who’s ever wondered what nettles taste like, wanted to nail the difference between sorrel and dock, or simply longed for a game that rewards curiosity over conquest.
Out and About does more than rebrand the cozy formula. It blends sustainable mechanics, real-life plant identification, and heartfelt community narrative into one inviting package. With Early Access live on Steam and console ports looming in 2026, it’s poised to become one of the year’s most intriguing indie experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned forager or a complete greenhorn, there’s always something new to uncover—and a town to rebuild, one leaf at a time.
If you want a cozy sim that feels meaningful, Out and About’s real-life botany lessons, sustainability systems, and warm community revival make it stand out. A unique blend of education and relaxation awaits.
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