Return of the Obra Dinn

Return of the Obra Dinn is a great mystery, but its careful clue hunting is a bad match for running or biking. You need your attention on the ship, not your pace.

Gameplay

You explore the Obra Dinn and use a pocket watch to investigate the moments when its crew members died. Piecing together who is who and what happened is clever, but it asks you to study clues and think carefully. That’s engaging at a desk and a good way to lose track of your workout.

Category Score: 1 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

The game has full controller support, so you can play without a keyboard and mouse. But identifying faces, checking details, and making deductions all take focus, and a distracted glance can cost you a useful clue. The controller helps, but this is still a poor game to play while exercising.

Category Score: 1 out of 3

Computer Requirements

The minimum requirements call for a 2 GHz Intel i5, 4 GB of RAM, and a discrete GPU. It needs 2 GB of storage and Windows 7 or better, so plan on having a basic dedicated graphics card.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

Return of the Obra Dinn is a sharp, satisfying mystery, but it deserves your full attention. Skip it during your workout and play it at your desk.

Overall Score: 1.33 out of 3