Open Roads

But Why ThoKate Sánchez

90/10

It’s easy to say that Open Roads is cozy and simple. Truthfully, though, its simplicity is its strength… Everything you do feels personal, especially as a daughter who still has endless questions for her mother.

Press StartBrodie Gibbons

7.5/10

Although Open Roads gives no reason to make this game’s North American road trip an annual fixture on the calendar, the adventure itself is one worth experiencing. It’s a family affair that welcomes you into its inner sanctum and leaves you in a state of adoration over its leading ladies’ sincere performances.

WellPlayedMark Isaacson

7.5/10

An engaging cast drives this short but ultimately sweet journey down a well-worn emotional road, though the chance to spend more time with Tess and Opal Devine on some detours would have been welcome.

Playstation UniverseTommy Holloway

7/10

Open Roads often feels like a game at odds with itself, that probably would have been best served in a different genre. Whilst it starts off strong, it progressively loses what makes it good and feels more disconnected. Despite that, the two main characters have an engaging mother, daughter relationship that make the game worth playing, in no small part thanks to the excellent actresses, and their performances.

GamingBoltShunal Doke

7/10

It’s a great thing that Open Roads is an incredibly short experience, because when it comes to actually playing it, there just isn’t much there. Thankfully, its story and characters do more than enough to make experiencing Open Roads worthwhile, at least once.

Checkpoint GamingBree Maybe

7/10

It can often be difficult to make characters feel instantly real and relatable. Sometimes it takes hours of gameplay to begin to emotionally connect with a character, so it’s always impressive when a game manages to do it in less than two. Published by Annapurna and from much of the team who brought us Gone Home, Open Roads is a road trip game following mother and daughter duo, Tess and Opal, as they follow a path of mystery starting in the attic of their house.

TechRaptorJoseph Allen

7/10

Open Roads lacks interactivity and its art style takes some getting used to, but this is a story you'll want to see through to the end.

Screen RantRob Gordon

6/10

Overall, Open Roads is a mixed bag. Although the game's performances are strong and the story at a high level hits the right notes, its smaller details may feel a little melodramatic and forced. Meanwhile, the game's very basic general gameplay is a step behind some of its walking simulator peers, which can lead to it feeling a little dated despite some of its clear innovations. It's a solid enough game that those interested in the genre should give Open Roads a try, but it won't appeal to anyone who doesn't already quite enjoy these sorts of walking simulator-style journeys.

GameSpotJessica Cogswell

6/10

Though Open Roads' characters and attention to detail are lovely, the overall experience is lessened by its brevity and lack of depth.

EurogamerRobert Purchese

A gentle adventure into a family's secrets that's nicely crafted but over before it really begins.

PC GamerJon Bailes

56/100

A sentimental journey along well-trodden paths.

SiliconeraJenni Lada

4/10

Long-lost family secrets. Hints of a hidden fortune. And miles to go before they sleep. Tess Devine’s relationship with her mom has never been easy, but they’re about to set out together on a journey into the past that they’ll never forget. Switch version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes.