Unsighted: Should you turn on Explorer Mode?

You might have heard of Unsighted, a Zelda-inspired adventure game with a very particular hook: Each NPC you meet has a ticking clock above their heads, and if enough in-game time passes, they’ll go “unsighted” and vanish from the world. You remember the weapon vendor that sold you your first blade? Gone. This friendly giant whale, who is a fisherman’s friend? Outta here. If you don’t have enough time, even the fairy who follows you and offers tips may not be able to see you. Meteor Dust can be spent to allow certain characters to have more time. But this only slows down the inevitable while also putting others in a terrible situation.

The pitch was the first I heard. UnsightedIt was amazing to me. It was also obvious that such an anxious mechanic could tear me apart. How could I possibly choose who lives and who dies if I’ve just met them? You’re not welcome.

Yet, eight hours later, and here I am. UnsightedEnjoy adventure and a wonderful time. And it’s all thanks to Explorer Mode, which removes the time mechanic entirely from the game. Time will still pass, and you’ll still see time that various NPCs have left, but their timers will never tick down, and they’ll never become unsighted. They’re here forever.

I’ve no doubt that if I were playing UnsightedOn the default settings, this would make for a very unique gaming experience. It will force me to connect with characters more than with random NPCs from Zelda games. I’d be making brutal decisions about who lives and who dies, and the ones I save will forever stick in my memory as lifelong compatriots. What about the others? Well, I’d rather not think about them.

Image: Studio Pixel Punk/Humble Games via Polygon

So yes, I’ve cheated myself out of this unique gaming experience that would have made me at least somewhat miserable. Explorer Mode lets me spend Meteor Dust on the people and places that matter to me the most, as well as the ones that provide the greatest rewards. I don’t have to worry about robot granny losing her mind. It’s possible to have an amazing, difficult, and informative adventure unlike anything I would normally get.

So if you’re stressed out about the prospect of Unsighted, even though it looks like precisely your jam, follow my route and adjust the game so that it’s right for you. Explorer Mode has been added by developers to help you and me as well as anyone with delicate minds, so it’s worth taking advantage.