Out of This World
DOS - 1991
Also released on: Windows 3.x - Mac - 3DO - Amiga - Atari ST - Genesis
Description of Out of This World
One of the most innovative games in any genre, Out of This World (a.k.a. Another World in Europe) is Eric Chahi's breakthrough game that masterfully combines action, adventure, and artistic cinematography in ways the PC gaming world has never seen. You will sense that Out of This World is something special right from the start, even before the game proper begins.
The introductory sequence reveals that you are Lester, a young physics professor who suddenly finds himself in a strange alien world after a lightning bolt struck the gigantic particle accelerator he was experimenting with. This sequence has one of the best use of camera angles I have ever seen in games: you will see various cinematographic touches (e.g. Lester walking toward the camera, which then zooms to his back) that are common to movies but rarely seen on the computer.
The game's style and technology are worth mentioning, before I get to the gameplay. Instead of bitmapped or digitized graphics that was all the rage in the early 1990s, designer Eric Chahi instead opted for primitive-looking polygonal graphics to represent the characters... and what an excellent move it was. Polygonal graphics allow for very smooth, realistic character animations that would be impossible to do with digitized graphics (and remember: this was before the age of 3D accelerators). Even die-hard fans of Prince of Persia will admit that Lester moves much more smoothly and realistically than their favorite Arabian prince.
As for the game itself, Out of This World is ostentatiously a platform game, but turns out to be a lot more. The controls are very easy to learn: only the cursor keys and spacebar are used. Although much of the game involves killing menacing aliens, whether by kicking or shooting once you find a gun, what sets Out of This World apart from other action games is that wit and astute observation are also equally important. Simple trigger-happy behavior won't help you pass the alien species of saber-tooth tiger, nor will it help you escape from prison. In later levels, you will also need help from an alien friend, fellow inmate who escaped with you. Since you cannot control his actions but can only observe what he does, planning and timing are critical.
In every respect, Out of This World is a masterpiece. The only gripe I have is that you can only save at predetermined points throughout the game, similar to console games. Since the later stages are very difficult and save points are few and far between, this means you will have to replay them over and over until you get it right. Regardless, this is one game you will want to persevere to see the ending. I spent countless hours with the game, gritting my teeth all the way through, but I was sorry to see it end. Also, as a side note, the ending music theme is among the best music I have ever heard in any game, although the ending sequence is disappointingly short.
Overall, a classic game that defies the action genre, so much so that I insist on calling it an "adventure" game. With excellent plot, atmosphere, and ingenious survival-for-the-fittest physical puzzles that fit perfectly with the game world, Out of This World is an action adventure the likes of which none has ever seen.
An absolute must-have, and a much superior game to spiritual sequels Flashback and Fade to Black. If you want to play a true sequel, check out Heart of the Alien that was released exclusively for the SEGA CD system - downloadable from this site.
Review By HOTUD
External links
Comments and reviews
Brunoki22 2023-05-18 0 point
Thanks, now I have to hunt down the over versions of the game that aren't being sold. There it goes the whole point of preservation.
larry 2022-01-27 4 points
GOG is just offering DOS version and disallows every single version to be abandonware.
So, how are we supposed to play AMIGA or GENESIS versions? Are they left to be dead.
Anonymous 2020-01-07 -4 points
What @KC fails to realise, is that its not only up to this website as to what is free and what is paid for. Licensing laws by the rightful owner/creator and their publisher decide on when the game is open to Public Domain legal free use.
If you want to support the developers, so that they can make more COOL games and software, don't be a cheap a$$, buy the game or send a taxable donation.
KC 2018-12-13 -9 points
Yet another game "for sale". What a rip off myabandonware is, Yes, 14,000 games for free, what they don't say is all the good ones are for sale, only the lame ones are free.
The Pardoner 2018-08-02 -2 points
It says mine is cracked. Running on Boxer, how to I get past the title menu thing?
slx 2017-12-04 -5 points DOS version
Sadly, this is not the US version of the game what is called Out of This World! This is the European version... Another World!
sirLawrence 2017-09-02 5 points
This game is one of the best ever made. and i'm playing games more then 25 years :)
Luciano 2017-01-24 1 point
This is a great game, better than "sequels" Flashback and Fade to Black! There is another sequel, the REAL sequel from this game called "Herat Of The Alien". If you like this game do a favor to yourself and run a Sega CD emulator, Heart of The Alien is also known as "Out of This World Part II" The Seca CD brings the both games, the original OFTW and HOTA, now you will play the Alien dude!
BenRedic 2016-10-05 1 point
This is a classic. Also worth mentioning is Prince of Persia and Flashback.
I played it on the Amiga as Another World, and judging from the screenshots the Amiga version is clearly the way to go.
By the way, DotEmu has made a very faithful port of this game to Android. It is available in Play Store, and highly recommended. Search for "Another World".
Brunauss 2016-08-24 0 point
Remember this and Flashback. Not many gamers are aware this story is also a trilogy and concludes with final chapter on Playstation, with the title Fade to Black.
gamer mex 2016-07-12 2 points
Maravilloso juego! Encabronadamente complicado e inovador de su tiempo, estos eran los juegos del año de los años noventa. Digno merecedor de una película.
Schnuron 2015-04-19 1 point DOS version
This sci-fi game is great and special to me. :) Thanks, Eric Chahi.
matt 2014-09-21 -2 points DOS version
only problem and its a big problem
you need the original code wheel
paulo josé 2014-08-24 0 point DOS version
i play this game in commodore amiga and pc but the mane is Another World. :_)
Pink Floyd 2014-05-21 -1 point DOS version
Very special in its time. Not as great, fun,or consistent as Prince of Persia but had some slightly better elements as far as cut-scenes.
ki-ki 2014-01-29 -1 point DOS version
Tipo RPG Mudo.
Muito bom. na época demorei semanas para chegar ao final. Depois que sabe, chega ao final em 10 minutos.
Sc@r 2013-07-19 -1 point DOS version
fun game, only problem with it was that it was way to short, once u know the moves to it i think u can finish it in like 10 mins
markegiani 2013-04-10 0 point DOS version
The best animation to that day !! Also, the game was very tough but worth playing. Beatiful story ...
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Share your gamer memories, give useful links or comment anything you'd like. This game is no longer abandonware, we won't put it back online.
Buy Out of This World
Out of This World is available for a small price on the following website, and is no longer abandonware. GOG.com provides the best release and does not include DRM, please buy from them! You can read our online store guide .
Game Extras and Resources
Some of these file may not be included in the game stores. For Out of This World, we have the following files:
1 MB (DOS)Other Releases
Out of This World was also released on the following systems:
Windows 3.x
- Year: 1995
- Publisher: Interplay Productions, Inc.
- Developer: Delphine Software International
Mac
- Year: 1993
- Publisher: MacPlay
- Developer: Delphine Software International
3DO
- Year: 1994
- Publisher: Electronic Arts Victor, Inc., Interplay Productions Ltd., Interplay Productions, Inc.
- Developer: Delphine Software International
Amiga
- Year: 1991
- Publisher: Delphine Software International, Interplay Productions, Inc., U.S. Gold Ltd.
- Developer: Delphine Software International
Atari ST
- Year: 1991
- Publisher: Delphine Software International, U.S. Gold Ltd.
- Developer: Delphine Software International
Genesis
- Year: 1992
- Publisher: Virgin Games, Inc.
- Developer: Delphine Software International
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