Everything Review - Screenshot 1 of 3

If there's one truth that can be guaranteed in this universe it's that Everything will divide opinion like few other games. The scientific simulation comes courtesy of Mountain maker David OReilly and promises the impossible: the ability to control everything in the universe – including the very fabrics of space itself. But can such an outlandish ambition really be realised?

Yes it can, and the results are impressive to say the least. Your adventures can start as small as a microbe or as large as an entire solar system, and through ascending and descending through the planes of existence you'll garner a new appreciation for the scale of the world within which we exist. If you're the type of person that's ever looked in a pond and acknowledged the majesty of the ecosystem which inhabits it, then this is a game for you.

Well, we say "game", but that's obviously going to be a point of contention. There are no towers to climb or skill trees to complete here: just an existential stroll through the essence of life itself. Entities – be they as base as a bumblebee or as spectacular as a supernova – can bond and pro-create through the ritual of dance (yes, that is what they're calling it these days), but ultimately there's no real objective here other than exploring the simulation itself.

If that all sounds pretentious then this is maybe not a release for you, as late British philosopher Alan Watts provides a backdrop through recorded speeches and seminars. Personally, we found it all rather fascinating: there's something strangely inspiring about the drip-feed of philosophy while you commandeer a cactus. The game's got its tongue in its cheek just enough to provide levity to the dense subject matter, yet it still manages to get its point across.

And it's hard not to appreciate the deftness with which it navigates such a delicate tightrope; for a game that appears to devote itself to the macchiato quaffing brigade, it also enables you to generate oil rigs in outer-space. There's a playfulness here which actually accentuates the message at its core: that we are all one and the same. At least that's what we got out of it: we're sure someone with an extra ounce of intelligence will have more to say.

Everything Review - Screenshot 2 of 3

But that's precisely the point really: Everything is a game that's designed to make you think about who you are and your place within the world. The actual act of "play" is straightforward, and those looking for firmer rules and mechanics will leave unfulfilled, but as a sandbox it's a real revelation to navigate: the ever-increasing scale is awe-inspiring and, honestly, a genuine technical accomplishment given that it runs on the PlayStation 4 at all.

If there can be any criticism beyond the fact that it's simply not for everyone, then, it's that the lack of PlayStation VR support is a glaring shame. This is an experience that's practically begging for the all-encompassing, sensory overload that only virtual reality enables – and yet you're going to have to make do with experiencing it on your television screen. For now.

Conclusion

Everything is not for everyone, and thus it's a hard game to score. This existential experience is not quite as pretentious as it appears to be, but it will still leave you mindful of your worth to the world – and the universe as a whole. Honestly, if you've ever found yourself enchanted by the sheer scale of space itself, then this game does an incredible job of communicating that through rudimentary interactivity alone.