A cinematic deep dive into HoYoverse’s next flagship action RPG The darkness in Varsapura is never merely absence it is intention. And in this 30-minute Official Gameplay Showcase , that intention becomes visible. As the first scene fades in, the city breathes like a living organism, its veins filled with shadowlight and its heartbeat echoing through metallic streets. The player enters not as a wanderer, but as an operative standing between Shadow Bureau and the enigmatic organization SEAL two forces shaping the destiny of a city that hides more than it reveals. Built entirely on Unreal Engine 5 , Varsapura abandons the pastel fantasy style familiar to HoYoverse and embraces a darker, sharper, hyper-real urban identity. The city is drenched in motion reflections ripple across neon puddles, steel shivers under rainfall, and the shadow-born enemies pulse with unnatural rhythm. And at the center of it all? A weapon disguised as an ordinary umbrella , capable of bending shadows...
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A miniature builder's dream game it’s not just about playing, it’s about creating.
Introduction: Ready to Build a World of Your Own?
What if the most relaxing game of the year wasn’t about action or strategy but about creating a perfect, tiny world in your own style?
Outside The Blocks, developed by Michał Kubas, is an upcoming PC simulation title that dares to break from the usual city-building or sandbox formulas. Instead of managing a population or expanding an empire, this game invites you to take a step back and enjoy the art of model-making digitally.
The official trailer gives a beautifully calming first impression: Watch here
With a demo already live on Steam, Outside The Blocks sets itself up to be a new go-to game for players who love creativity, customization, and cozy vibes.
What is Outside The Blocks?
At its core, Outside The Blocks is a fully featured diorama-building simulator. Think of it as a digital hobbyist’s workbench one where you can shape the terrain, snap together modular buildings, decorate the scene with props, and present your creation like a real handcrafted model.
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Release Date: 2025 (exact date TBA)
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Developer: Michał Kubas
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Platform: PC (Steam)
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Languages: English only (UI, audio, and subtitles)
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Multiplayer: Single-player only
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Price: TBD
Unlike games that gamify building into missions or score-based mechanics, Outside The Blocks gives you space to relax, explore, and design no timers, no pressure.
Key Features That Set It Apart
1. A Pure Diorama Experience
Forget about city infrastructure or survival mechanics this is about pure, tactile creation. You’ll mold landscapes, piece together modular structures, and sprinkle the world with trees, fences, figurines, and more.
It’s less of a simulation and more of a creative playground, where every small detail contributes to the beauty of your miniature scene.
2. Intuitive Yet Detailed Building Tools
The interface is smooth and beginner-friendly. You drag, drop, rotate, scale, and sculpt your world like a digital modeler. But the tools go deep, too you can control elevation, shadows, lighting conditions, and more.
There’s even a “presentation mode” that lets you admire your final diorama from cinematic angles, making it easy to showcase your work on social media or just appreciate your art.
3. A True Sandbox With No Rules
There’s no campaign, no enemies, no economy. And that’s the point. Outside The Blocks offers unstructured freedom, ideal for players who enjoy process-oriented games like Townscaper, Unpacking, or even PowerWash Simulator.
It’s a game where you define the goal, whether that’s recreating your hometown, building a sci-fi outpost, or simply arranging the most peaceful forest scene ever imagined.
Visual Style & Atmosphere
The visuals are clean, soft, and stylized evoking the charm of handcrafted scale models. While not aiming for realism, the game shines with its attention to detail, from brick textures to the way trees sway in ambient lighting.
The ambient soundtrack and subtle sound design further enhance the mood, turning the game into a digital escape from the noise of everyday life.
Community & Sharing
Although multiplayer features aren’t included, this game has massive potential for community interaction.
Players will likely take to forums, Discord groups, and social media to share their dioramas, exchange tips, and even collaborate on design themes. Steam Workshop support hasn’t been confirmed, but if added, it could supercharge the game’s longevity.
Future Content: DLC and Beyond?
As of now, there’s no roadmap for DLC or updates. But let’s be real this game is begging for expansion packs.
From seasonal decoration kits (Halloween, Christmas) to architecture themes (Japanese, Modernist, Medieval), Outside The Blocks could offer an ever-growing toolkit for builders. It’s also easy to imagine a photo mode upgrade or even VR support down the line.
Pricing & Editions: What We Know
Details on pricing or special editions haven’t been released. However, given its indie nature, it’s likely to launch at a budget-friendly price.
There's no confirmation of pre-orders or deluxe editions yet, but as we get closer to release, expect news about possible bundles or supporter packs.
How It Compares to Similar Games
Let’s be honest there aren’t many games quite like Outside The Blocks. But here’s how it stacks up to a few familiar titles:
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The Sims – More focused on characters and simulation; OTB is about artistic creation.
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Cities: Skylines – Great for urban planning, but far too complex for relaxed play.
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Townscaper – Similar vibe, but OTB offers much more customization and terrain control.
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Unpacking – Shares the calming aesthetic, but not nearly as open-ended or creative.
In short, Outside The Blocks fits into a unique niche: peaceful, expressive model-making in digital form.
Final Thoughts: Who Is This Game For?
Outside The Blocks is the kind of game that doesn’t need to be loud to make an impact. It’s for players who:
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Love building, decorating, and creating
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Want a break from competitive or time-based games
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Appreciate relaxing, meditative gameplay
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Have a background in art, design, or model-making
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Simply want to chill out and make something beautiful
Whether you’re into digital art or just looking for a new way to unwind, Outside The Blocks offers something rare: a game where creativity is the only goal.
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