《男孩歐的旅途》（OU）是由G-MODE與Room6共同推出的劇情導向冒險遊戲，最初於Nintendo Switch數位版與PC平台（Steam）上發行，Switch實體版在2025年8月上市。以簡約卻詩意的美術風格、沉靜的敘事節奏與深層的情感主題著稱，被譽為是一場寓言式的心理旅程。遊戲名稱「OU」不僅代表主角名字，也暗喻「你（You）」與主角之間的情感連結。

劇情具有濃厚的象徵與隱喻色彩，講述名為「歐」（OU）的男孩，在一個由記憶與夢境交織而成的虛幻空間「U-chronia」中，在乾涸的河床醒來，尋找自己過去遺失的記憶與情感連結。隨著歐的腳步，穿梭於廢墟、山丘、田野與水域之間，途中會遇到各種奇特角色，例如會說話的獺「Zarry」、神祕的書頁、面具人物等。這些角色多半具有寓言性質，透過對話與互動逐步揭開歐過去所遭遇的事件——其中涉及家庭創傷、生離死別以及對於「遺忘」與「原諒」的心理掙扎。劇情風格介於《伊藤潤二》式的暗黑奇幻與《迷霧之子》般的希望寓意之間，充滿東洋式的哀愁美感。

操作方面，採用2D橫向卷軸的探索方式，但並非典型的動作遊戲，而是以緩慢、步行式的劇情體驗為核心。可以與場景中的角色對話、翻閱關鍵道具、解開簡單的環境謎題，整體操作非常簡單，沒有戰鬥系統，也沒有時間壓力，幾乎可視為互動式繪本。角色移動時的節奏與步調，配合遊戲配樂與光影變化，營造出極為沉靜且富有哲思的氛圍。整個過程像是一場心靈散步，鼓勵玩家以細膩、耐心的方式進入歐的心理世界。

畫面風格上，採用手繪風格與柔和色調，讓場景充滿童話與哀愁交錯的氣氛。從陰鬱的村落到光影斑駁的林間，每一幕都像是一幅水彩畫，搭配細膩的環境音效與低調鋼琴音樂，使整體遊戲體驗更像是一場詩意電影。配音方面則以文字敘述為主，極少語音，但語言呈現的方式極具文學性，融合哲學、省思與情緒的碎片，讓許多玩家在閱讀對話時獲得強烈共鳴。

在市場評價方面，發表後獲得評論界與玩家間廣泛的好評。尤其受到喜歡劇情敘事與藝術風格的玩家青睞。多數評論認為遊戲成功塑造獨特而感人的內心世界，儘管節奏緩慢，但情感積累濃烈，最終帶來的衝擊與餘韻深遠。有玩家指出，遊戲雖然不長，卻如一部短篇詩集般值得反覆品味。不過也有少數批評認為節奏過於緩慢、互動性不高，對習慣緊湊遊戲節奏的玩家來說可能略顯乏味。此外，若未能深入解讀隱喻與象徵，可能會錯過故事背後更深層的情緒與意涵。

總體來說，《男孩歐的旅途》是高度藝術化的遊戲作品，它不是以玩法多樣取勝，而是透過畫面、音樂與細膩劇情交織出內省之旅。對於熱愛詩意敘事、喜歡在遊戲中體驗情感與哲思的玩家來說，這款作品無疑是靜謐且難以忘懷的心靈洗禮。

"OU", also known as The Journey of Boy OU, is a narrative-driven adventure game co-developed by G-MODE and Room6. Initially released digitally on Nintendo Switch and PC (via Steam), the game later received a physical Switch edition in August 2025. Known for its minimalist yet poetic art style, meditative storytelling, and deeply emotional themes, OU has been praised as an allegorical psychological journey. The title "OU" not only refers to the protagonist’s name but also subtly alludes to the emotional bond between “you” and the character, enhancing the sense of personal connection.

The story is rich in symbolism and metaphor, following a boy named OU who awakens in a dried-up riverbed within a dreamlike realm called “U-chronia”—a surreal world woven from memories and illusions. OU embarks on a journey to rediscover his lost past and emotional ties. As he wanders through ruins, hills, fields, and watery landscapes, he encounters a host of unusual characters: a talking otter named Zarry, mysterious torn pages, and enigmatic figures wearing masks. These characters serve as allegorical figures, and through dialogue and interaction, gradually reveal the protagonist’s hidden traumas—touching on themes such as family wounds, separation, death, and the inner conflict between forgetting and forgiving. The narrative tone oscillates between dark fantasy reminiscent of Junji Ito and the hopeful undertones of works like Mistborn, carrying a melancholic, distinctly Eastern aesthetic.

In terms of gameplay, OU utilizes a 2D side-scrolling exploration format. However, it is not an action game. Instead, it emphasizes a slow, reflective experience centered on storytelling. Players engage in conversations, examine key items, and solve light environmental puzzles. The mechanics are intentionally simple—there are no combat systems or time pressures—making it feel more like an interactive picture book. The pace of movement, paired with atmospheric lighting and a subtle musical score, creates a meditative rhythm that invites players to quietly immerse themselves in OU’s internal world. It’s less a traditional game and more a spiritual walk through the mind.

Visually, the game embraces a hand-drawn art style with soft color palettes, giving each scene a fairy tale-like yet sorrowful ambiance. From shadowy villages to sun-dappled forest trails, every backdrop resembles a watercolor painting. This is further enhanced by detailed ambient sounds and understated piano music, giving the entire experience the feel of a poetic film. While the game features minimal voice acting, the narrative is delivered through richly written text that blends philosophy, introspection, and emotional fragments—eliciting deep resonance for many players.

Upon release, OU was met with widespread acclaim from both critics and players, especially among those who value narrative and artistic expression in games. It was praised for crafting a moving and singular emotional landscape. Though the pacing is deliberately slow, the emotional buildup leads to a powerful and lingering impact. Some players likened the experience to reading a short volume of poetry—concise yet profound, rewarding multiple revisits. That said, a few criticisms emerged, noting the game’s slow pace and low interactivity might not appeal to those accustomed to fast-paced or highly dynamic gameplay. Additionally, players who fail to interpret its metaphors and symbolism may miss the deeper emotional and thematic resonance hidden beneath the surface.

In summary, The Journey of Boy OU is a highly artistic work, not defined by gameplay variety but by its synthesis of visuals, music, and subtle narrative. For players drawn to poetic storytelling and introspective journeys, this title offers a quiet yet unforgettable emotional experience—less a game, and more a gentle cleansing of the soul.