Open Roads: A Narrative Adventure with Hollywood Talent on Nintendo Switch

The surprising trend of indie games featuring Hollywood talent continues with the release of Open Roads on the Nintendo Switch. Developed by the Open Roads Team, a studio made up of former Fullbright employees, this three-hour narrative adventure game has already garnered attention for its engaging storytelling and impressive voice acting.

Open Roads, published by Annapurna Interactive, follows the story of a mother and daughter, Opal and Tess, as they uncover shocking family secrets while packing up their late grandmother’s house. The game takes players on a road trip through Canada, exploring various locations that hold clues to the mysterious past of the family.

Despite its origins as a Fullbright project, Open Roads faced setbacks during development, including the departure of creative lead Steve Gaynor due to allegations of toxic workplace behavior. However, the team persevered and continued working on the game under a new name, delivering a polished and immersive experience for players.

One of the standout features of Open Roads is its strong narrative focus, reminiscent of other narrative-adventure games like What Remains of Edith Finch. Players are tasked with uncovering the next plot point, making dialogue choices along the way that impact the story. The game’s environmental storytelling and hand-drawn animations add depth to the characters and world, drawing players in with their attention to detail.

The performances of Kerry Russell and Kaitlyn Dever as the mother-daughter duo bring the characters to life, making them feel relatable and authentic. The game’s writing is also praised for its realism, touching on themes of family, relationships, and hidden secrets that resonate with players.

Overall, Open Roads is a compelling addition to the narrative-adventure genre, offering a heartfelt and intimate story that captivates players from start to finish. With its engaging gameplay, strong voice acting, and immersive world-building, Open Roads is a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games on the Nintendo Switch.