Game Cover

So... what do you think about the whole August thing?

Platforms played on: Xbox Series X

# Review

In this mystery adventure, the player assumes the role of teenager Tess (Kaitlyn Dever) who embarks on a truth seeking trip with her mother Opal (Keri Russell) after the death of Opal’s mother Helen. The game explores an old family mystery as well as the relationship between mother and daughter.

The story isn’t really my cup of tea, but if one is into young adult dramas then this would be right up one’s alley. The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator, with the player walking around different levels and interacting with different objects in the environment. The player also goes through conversations between Tess and Opal which explores the story.

Interacting with the environment

The walking simulator gameplay is lackluster, especially with the brutally slow walking pace which makes exploring a chore, but Open Roads does have things going for it. For one, the witty voice acting from Dever and Russell is very solid and I also enjoy the mix of the characters’ cartoon aesthetics mixed with the 3D environment. There is also a slight nostalgia element for the early 2000s.

Conversation between mother and daughter

# Conclusion

A narrative-driven game with witty voice acting and good graphics but not very memorable.

# Overall rating: 7.3

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