Home / News /Outside the Blocks is a diorama-building stress buster and you can demo it now ByChris McMullen 25 January 202525 January 2025
Sorry, Doom, Outside the Blocks could be my new favourite stress-buster, if this diorama-builder’s demo is anything to go by. Instead of ripping and tearing, this free-form indie game has you crafting your own realistic little dioramas, from fields to medieval-style houses and, so far, I’m impressed.
If you regularly explore antique, thrift or craft shops, chances are you’ll have seen one of those little models, where there’s a house or some other scene preserved beneath a glass dome. I know I have, and I can remember thinking, “I wish I could do that.” Now, thanks to Outside the Blocks, you can, all without the worry that you’ve irrevocably ruined your work.
Developer Michal Kubas calls Outside the Blocks, “..the ultimate playground for builders and creators who want to express their artistic side in a relaxing, stress-free environment.” It’s not a million miles away from the engrossing Townscaper. But in this game you’re laser-focused on constructing a single house or scene instead of a whole town.
It’s impressive just how much control Outside the Blocks actually gives you. If you’re short on time you can put down a few rooms and slap a roof on top of it. But dig a little deeper, literally, and you’ll discover you can mould the very terrain you’re building on, split your roof into separate models and much, much more. There’s a large library of items and modules you can employ, and the full game should deliver more.
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Plus, since this is as much a toy as it is a game, there’s no resource harvesting required. If you can think of something, providing it’s not of modern-day construction, you can build it. I’ve already got the Addams Family mansion in mind, and I’m hoping the final game adds lighting to its library.
The game doesn’t have a release date as yet, but it’s absolutely one to watch. You can wishlist Outside the Blocks and download the demo on Steam here.