dendritejungle: (Default)
[personal profile] dendritejungle
So let me give you some games! *beams*

Well, game recommendations, actually. I'm not a big gamer, but I've recently stumbled across a number of short little online gems that are...well, as much "meditations" or "interactive art" as games. They're fascinating and lovely and melancholy and actually kinda profound and touching, which is quite an accomplishment since they're also very minimalist. I just had to share them with you...

Small WorldsSmall Worlds. I love this more than I can articulate. You start as a few tiny pixels in surroundings that are hard to make out - but the more you explore, the further back the view pulls as each world is slowly revealed. Who knew highly pixelated art could be so gorgeous! (I admit I'm a total sucker for world exploration, so I may be rather biased.) Be sure to have your sound on for this one: the music is definitely a part of the experience. When finished, it's fascinating to read different people's interpretations on what's going on; scroll down to the comments here. Took me about 15 minutes.

The Black Forest 1-2The Black Forest series. I first stumbled across this a couple of weeks ago, but all four episodes are now online. I don't know about their evoking "emotional experiences", but their specific combinations of simple gameplay and music did leave me in a lovely contemplative headspace. I particularly love the first and second ones: be sure to have your speakers on so you can hear the music build. About 5-10 minutes per episode.


Gretel & HanselGretel and Hansel. This one is longer and more "game-y", with more hunting and figuring out what to do. I've included it because (a) I love the watercolour visuals and (b) the sense of humour: you get points, among other things, based on how many different ways you can die. Macabre humour FTW! *glee* Here's a walkthrough for this one too, with all the different possible deaths.



Every day the same dreamEvery Day The Same Dream. Sort of Groundhog Day meets Kafka. You live the same day over and over, doing little things differently - until the end. Which is rather unsettling. Should you, like me, have a low tolerance for figuring out what's next, there are tips and walkthroughs in the comments here. 5 or 10 minutes if you know what you're doing; took me somewhat longer cuz I'm slow like that. :P




Little WheelLittle Wheel. As much an interactive mini-movie as a game, this quirky little piece has irresistible graphics. Simple and awesome. Five minutes.





Hope y'all enjoy these as much as I have!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-01-05 07:39 am (UTC)
caffienekitty: (ooo!)
From: [personal profile] caffienekitty
Cool! Just finished small worlds. Gave me a very Doctor Who feel, not sure why. Will have to try the rest at some point.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-01-06 10:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dendritejungle.livejournal.com
Ooo, Doctor Who, interesting! Maybe it's the world-exploration factor? Or the little transporter lights look like the flashing light on the top of the TARDIS...

(no subject)

Date: 2010-01-06 05:00 pm (UTC)
caffienekitty: Dean sitting slumped in a chair. "Will kill for coffee" (Default)
From: [personal profile] caffienekitty
A bit, yeah. *nods*

(no subject)

Date: 2010-01-05 08:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nixwilliams.livejournal.com
the first time i played 'every day' i went straight through to




(spoilers?)



jumping off the building. it wasn't until later that i patted the cow while naked.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-01-06 10:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dendritejungle.livejournal.com
Gotta love a game where you can pat cows and catch falling leaves while just in your undies! :D

(no subject)

Date: 2010-01-05 09:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nebulein.livejournal.com
of these I've only played Little Wheels so far, but that one was adorable! I'm currently playing Machinarium. It has a lot of puzzles you have to solve and the graphics are really stunning.

Will have to check out the other ones you recced!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-01-06 11:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dendritejungle.livejournal.com
\o/ Glad you enjoyed! And oooOOOOoooo! Shiny game! Thanks for the rec in turn!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-01-05 01:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] marysue007.livejournal.com
wow, those sound very interesting and the visuals look beautiful.
Thanks

(no subject)

Date: 2010-01-06 11:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dendritejungle.livejournal.com
I hope you enjoy! :)

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