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Indie adventure Open Roads thrives on curiosity

Hop in loser, we’re investigating.

Open Roads is what’s often derisively called a “walking simulator.” Similar to games like Firewatch or The Invincible, it’s a first-person experience that’s about exploring an environment, reading notes, and chatting with other characters along the way. From the very beginning, you’re encouraged to touch things; Tess’ room is filled with rented VHS tapes that need to be returned, and there’s a Tamagotchi tucked away in a drawer. There are subtle hints at what you should be doing — Opal might suggest checking out a specific room, and Tess keeps a notebook that serves as a simple to-do list — but I never felt rushed or pressured.

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