Goodnight Universe Review (Xbox): Super Powered Baby Leads A Super Strong Narrative

A baby sporting telekinetic super powers. That premise alone grabbed my attention before starting Goodnight Universe. The promise of causing mischief before I could even properly crawl was a gameplay hook that excited me. What I never could have expected was a thought-provoking narrative about our place in the world and the incredible importance of family, all wrapped up in a whimsical sci-fi tale. Not only did Goodnight Universe catch me off guard about what really lies within its story, but it surprised me by immediately becoming one of my favorite games of the year.

Read Me A Story

Goodnight Universe kicks off hard and fast, as you are immediately thrust into the onesie of Issac, a newborn baby gazing up at the stars. An underlying mystery is presented before you, as you’re fully self-aware, have glimpses of a memory from a past life, and fully understand every word spoken to you by your entire family. It’s quite the starting point that sets up the mystery of why you are this way, which only picks up when he shortly discovers the powers he comes into possession of. 

Issac deals with the internal struggle of knowing he’s different, deciding when and how to use his powers, all with the backdrop of your grandfather’s recent passing being a grieving point for his mother, father, and sister. The mixture of sci-fi, family drama, and even a hint of a superhero origin story kept me fully engrossed during the entire runtime, with outlandish supernatural moments endcapped with grounded heartfelt revelations about what it is to be human. There’s plenty of lighthearted whimsy to go around, as the world is filled with playful over-the-top characters and silly TV animal mascots, as seen from the eyes of a child. 

Guiding the player on this journey is an amazing voice cast, an essential part of a narrative-heavy game, who always impressed me with the tone each actor brought into every scene, from tech villains to nerdy dads; everyone brought their A-game. The twists and turns left me astounded and feeling a swath of emotion that would appeal to anyone who enjoys a good narrative. 

The Baby Who Stares At Goats

As much as I adore the story, it was the premise of infant Professor X that initially drew me in, and developer Nice Dream gave me a fun power set to enjoy. Early puzzles start with you moving items around the house, from changing the TV channel to cleaning up the kitchen. The ability to move items back and forth is a fun activity between the story-heavy moments, but once Issac grows his arsenal of abilities, things really get going. 

Moving objects leads to reading minds, listening in on conversations miles away, or seemingly teleporting larger things from one place to another, all from the confines of a crib or hoisted over your mother’s shoulder. A particular portion of the game sets you on a rampage, allowing you to throw a full telekinetic tantrum, wreaking havoc on the surrounding area, while another area becomes a stealth mission taking place within a stroller. While not an action game in the traditional sense, the superpower gimmick is more than just engaging, it plays into the themes and choices the player deals with throughout this memorable experience. 

Final Verdict

Goodnight Universe stands apart with an engrossing sci-fi story about family drama and our place in the world, while giving us a taste of the super-powered fantasy of a young child. It delivers on both those prompts, giving me a gaming experience I wouldn’t put down until I rolled credits. In a year of grand stories, unforgettable characters, and new personal favorite games, Goodnight Universe cements itself alongside the year’s best titles.

Goodnight Universe was reviewed on Xbox with a code provided by Popagenda. It is also available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC.

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