SRC-FACTSOfficial store metadata
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Verified 2026-07-31
Verified fields: name, developers, publishers, release_date, genres, platforms, categories, controller_support
Return of the Obra DinnLucas PopeGame detail / Lucas Pope
Return of the Obra Dinn
A monochrome investigation game where the player reconstructs a ship's fate by treating every visual fragment as evidence.
Editorially reviewed · fact checked Jul 31, 2026.
Visit official page See games like Return of the Obra DinnGameAtlas links to an official store or publisher page. The developer controls availability and pricing.
DeveloperLucas Pope
Release dateOct 18, 2018
PlatformsWindows · macOS
Estimated lengthMedium commitmentGOG relays HowLongToBeat community estimates of 8h main, 9.5h with sides, and 10.5h completionist. Lucas Pope's prerelease press page gives a broader 6–40h first-play range for the good ending; actual time varies with deduction pace and completion goal.
Decision summary
Could this be your next game?
Return of the Obra Dinn suits players who enjoy evidence-based deduction and note-taking. The clearest reason to choose it is a monochrome investigation game where the player reconstructs a ship's fate by treating every visual fragment as evidence. It may not suit players who need character upgrades or constant action.
Exploration Led Discovery
Best for
- players who enjoy evidence-based deduction and note-taking
- players who prefer observation and reasoning over reflex challenges
Main strengths
- Conclusions require cross-checking several observations instead of guessing one clue
- A finite case structure keeps the deduction space focused
Possible drawbacks
- players who need character upgrades or constant action
- players who dislike making and revising their own hypotheses
Decision layer
Choose with context
observation-led investigation · evidence-based deduction
Recommended if you like- logic-first mystery games
- investigation where the player's reasoning is the main skill
Decision snapshot
Story DepthDeepChoice DensityModerateAction IntensityNoneEstimated Length5 10hDifficultyModerate To HighReplayabilityLowPaceSlowSession SizeMedium
Official facts and sampled player signals support the deduction, observation and finite-case fit; replayability is intentionally marked low.Comparison points
How it fits different player priorities
| Decision axis | Return of the Obra Dinn |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | Deep |
| Choice Density | Moderate |
| Action Intensity | None |
| Estimated Length | 5 10h |
| Difficulty | Moderate To High |
| Replayability | Low |
| Pace | Slow |
| Session Size | Medium |
Official media record
See Return of the Obra Dinn
Media source: official developer or publisher page ↗
Evidence layer
Sources & evidence
We keep documented facts separate from editorial interpretation. Open the source to check current details. Inferred fields stay marked.
Official records2
Player-signal records1
Last verified2026-09-28
SRC-02Player-signal aggregate
Open source ↗
Verified 2026-07-31
experimental public endpoint pending terms reviewSRC-LENGTH-GOG-HTLBHowLongToBeat community estimate
Open source ↗
Verified 2026-09-28
Verified fields: main_story_hours, main_plus_sides_hours, completionist_hours
SRC-LENGTH-DEVELOPERdeveloper press page
Open source ↗
Verified 2026-09-28
Verified fields: bad_ending_playtime, good_ending_first_playtime
GameAtlas does not copy review text, usernames, or personal information. See the recommendation methodology ↗.
GameAtlas review
Why play Return of the Obra Dinn?
This suits players who want deduction without an inventory or skill tree. The core satisfaction comes from testing a hypothesis against several independent observations until the game confirms the conclusion.
What makes it different
A monochrome investigation game where the player reconstructs a ship's fate by treating every visual fragment as evidence.
Evidence summary
Steam aggregate review summary is Overwhelmingly Positive across 20280 reviews; 8 controlled signal categories were observed in the sampled review set.
Recommendation reflects the recorded source and player-fit signals; platform, price, and availability can change.Common questions
FAQ
Who is Return of the Obra Dinn best for?
Players who enjoy evidence-based deduction and note-taking Players who prefer observation and reasoning over reflex challenges
What makes Return of the Obra Dinn different?
A monochrome investigation game where the player reconstructs a ship's fate by treating every visual fragment as evidence.
What are the main drawbacks of Return of the Obra Dinn?
There is almost no character progression beyond the player's reasoning. A missed visual detail can block progress for a long time.
How long does Return of the Obra Dinn take to beat?
GOG relays HowLongToBeat community estimates of 8 hours for the main story, 9.5 hours with side content, and 10.5 hours for completionists. Lucas Pope's prerelease press page gives a much broader 6–40 hour estimate for a first play to the good ending. These use different completion goals, so treat them as guidance rather than a fixed runtime.
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