Rain World: The Watcher Review (Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S & PC)

After a long year of anticipation, The Watcher DLC for Rain World has finally arrived! Fans have been eagerly waiting for this moment, and now it’s time to jump in and experience everything it has to offer. This expansion is packed with thrilling new content, mysterious creatures, uncharted regions, and innovative gameplay mechanics that shake up the world you thought you knew. While it’s not without its quirks, there’s no denying that The Watcher injects fresh excitement and intrigue into the Rain World universe. Get ready as we break it down in this review.

Unraveling the Story

One of the first things that stands out in The Watcher is its story. Some players may expect the same personal, straightforward narratives found in the original game or Downpour DLC, but The Watcher takes a different approach. It moves away from the emotional quests like “finding family” or “avenging loved ones.” Instead, it offers something more ambiguous. The narrative is subtle, allowing players to uncover it as they explore.

Some might argue that the story feels unclear or lacking, but that’s part of its charm. It’s not a direct narrative. The story unfolds through the environment and the player’s actions. This will feel refreshing for those who enjoy a more abstract storytelling style. The Watcher doesn’t spoon-feed players with plot points. Instead, it lets them piece things together, adding depth and intrigue to the experience.

For some, this storytelling style may not click. However, for others, it’s one of the most engaging parts of the DLC. Exploring the world and discovering the story through actions is far more rewarding than relying on cutscenes or dialogue. This new approach adds immersion as players uncover new details in this survival Indie game.

Rewarding Curiosity

For players who are into exploring Rain World, you’re going to love The Watcher. Right from the start, the game really encourages players to get lost in its huge world. There are a ton of new areas to check out, each packed with challenges, secrets, and hidden spots. Exploring is the heart of this DLC in many ways, and it’s clear the devs put a lot of work into making the world feel deep and full of surprises.

One of the coolest parts of this DLC is how it rewards curiosity. The more you explore, the more you learn about the world, the creatures, and the game’s mechanics. Some areas are hidden so well that players must pay attention to find them. That feeling of discovery is what makes The Watcher so fun to play. Unlike other games that push you from checkpoint to checkpoint, The Watcher allows players to wander and explore at their own pace.

That said, the freedom to explore does come with a bit of a downside: backtracking. As much as exploring is awesome, players may find themselves retracing their steps a lot. That happens especially if you miss something important the first time you go through a region. It can be a bit frustrating, but at the same time, it adds some depth to the game. It forces players to think about where they’ve been and what they might have missed, which makes the world feel even more expansive.

Some players might get annoyed by all the backtracking. However, for some, it adds a nice sense of satisfaction. Since the world is so big, there’s always something new to find, keeping things exciting.

One of the most exciting aspects of The Watcher DLC is its brand-new roster of creatures. Unlike previous expansions that relied on reusing old models, this update introduces a diverse array of fresh, custom-designed beings. But these creatures aren’t just for aesthetics; they bring a whole new level of danger, unpredictability, and excitement to the world of Rain World. Some are downright terrifying, lurking in the shadows and ready to strike, while others take a more passive approach. Regardless of their nature, each one feels distinct, adding depth and intrigue to the ever-evolving ecosystem.

What makes these new creatures truly impressive is how they stand apart from those in the original game. They aren’t just there to fill space; each one serves a distinct role within the ecosystem. Some are relentless predators, actively hunting the player, while others contribute to the world’s ever-present sense of danger in more subtle, environmental ways. Their designs are top-notch and clearly crafted with great attention to detail, making every encounter feel memorable and unique.

However, not all of these new additions reach their full potential. While they look fantastic, they don’t always interact with the environment as dynamically as the creatures from the base game. One of Rain World’s greatest strengths is its living, breathing ecosystem, where creatures naturally interact with one another and the world around them. Unfortunately, some of The Watcher’s newcomers can feel a bit isolated, almost as if they were dropped into the world without fully integrating into its intricate web of life.

That being said, the creatures in The Watcher are still a major highlight. They’re visually striking, and many of them introduce new challenges that make the game feel fresh and exciting. With a bit more fine-tuning, these creatures could easily become a bigger selling point of the DLC.

Absolutely Gorgeous

Another big highlight of The Watcher is its visual design. The DLC looks incredible. Every region feels alive, packed with detail, and full of atmosphere. The environments are beautifully crafted, from glowing mushrooms to creepy, fog-filled caves. It doesn’t just look good; it looks different, with a style that helps set it apart from other games and even from the original Rain World experience.

Furthermore, the lighting and shading effects are super impressive. Light filters through areas in a way that gives the world a moody, haunting vibe. It adds so much to the atmosphere. Sometimes, the visuals are so striking that it’s difficult not to stop and take it all in.

That said, not everything lands perfectly. In some spots, the visual effects go a little overboard. There’s one region in particular where the screen gets so cluttered with effects that it becomes tough to see what’s actually going on. It’s a lot to process, especially during intense moments where visibility matters. Luckily, that region is optional. Players who are sensitive to visual overload can easily skip it. Still, it’s worth noting that the heavy visual layering can get in the way of gameplay in a few places.

Even with that small gripe, The Watcher looks amazing overall. The mix of gorgeous environments and well-designed creatures makes this one of the best-looking parts of the Rain World series. 

A Bit of a Head-Scratcher

Progression in Rain World: The Watcher can be a bit tricky. One of the things that makes Rain World unique is its focus on trial and error and figuring things out for yourself. That’s still the case here, but sometimes, it feels like The Watcher takes it a step too far. For some players, the lack of direction can get a little frustrating.

There’s no friendly NPC to help point you in the right direction, and the game doesn’t offer many obvious hints on where to go next. You’re left to explore and piece everything together on your own. While this approach appeals to some players who like to figure things out, it can also make the game feel unnecessarily tough. There are moments when players will have no clue what they are supposed to do next or where they are supposed to go. Consequently, that can lead to some serious head-scratching. A simple hint or a pop-up wouldn’t hurt. Something to point you in the right direction without taking away from the discovery aspect of the game.

That said, it’s not all bad. There’s definitely a sense of satisfaction that comes from figuring things out on your own. The Watcher rewards those who stick with it and are willing to get a little lost along the way. The progression system will feel right at home for players who enjoy a challenge and don’t mind a bit of confusion. But for others, it might get too frustrating, especially when it starts to feel like the game is working against you rather than guiding you forward.

Rain World: The Watcher-Verdict

The Watcher is a DLC that offers a lot of new and exciting content for fans of Rain World. If you’re a fan of the original game and enjoy a challenging, exploration-driven experience, The Watcher is definitely worth checking out. It’s not perfect, but it brings a lot of fresh ideas to the survival games space. With future updates, many of the current issues could be addressed. However, if you’re looking for a more straightforward experience with a clear direction, you might want to wait until some of the rough edges are smoothed out.

Overall, Rain World: The Watcher is a worthwhile DLC for fans willing to embrace its challenges and dive deep into its world. It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly a DLC that has a lot of potential and is packed with exciting new content.