If Ori and the Willow Wisps is a visually breathtaking and calm take update on Metroid, Moss VR is Zelda as a little, adorable mouse in a beautiful puzzle forest. I absolutely love all these peaceful narrative indie games. I *JUST* started Return of the Obra Dinn… it’s my JAMMY. It’s a pretty amazing time for creativity in indie games, and it’s sort of a medicated balm to the absolute endless chaos of open world RPG, etc.
I’m not sure how popular it is, but Firewatch is a narrative story “choose your own adventure” “walking simulator”. It was a wonderful and chill departure during the pandemic (I’m sort of new to gaming). Even for non gamers who just want to chill and look at pretty stuff, it’s something to check out.
But this quick read article about the nuances of choices in video game design is really great, and “being too smart for your own good” was interesting. I know the beginning is mapping out the story and might not be as consequential, but the idea the game was that thoughtful in your choices, and allowing you autonomy vs making it obvious, is interesting enough to play the game again.
Thought some of you might enjoy:
https://www.thegamer.com/firewatch-linear-choices/
