The Thirst: A Rare and Mind-Blowing Video Game Adventure
Introduction:
Studio Seufz's The Longing is an independent adventure game due out in 2020. This game goes against the grain of the typical gaming experience by providing something fresh and thought-provoking. It puts the player in the shoes of a solitary Shade who must wait 400 days for the rebirth of the underworld ruler. This unique and introspective adventure subverts common game tropes and delves into questions of patience, isolation, and self-awareness. What makes "The Longing" such an intriguing and memorable game will be discussed in this article.
A Slow-Paced Adventure:
Unlike other games, The Longing favors a methodical tempo. The player takes on the persona of a Shade, a sentient creature whose duty it is to await the reawakening of a dormant monarch. The goal of the game is to sit and wait for 400 days of actual time (about 52 hours of playtime).
Time Alone and Discovery:
The player is free to roam the subterranean lair of the Shade, which acts as the game's world. With enough time, they may find secret rooms, amass supplies, and decipher cryptic messages left behind by the previous residents.
Minimalist Visual and Aural Design:
The game's graphic design is modest, including a black and white color scheme and basic, hand-drawn art. This striking visual difference adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness the Shade experiences. The moody, introspective tone of the game is bolstered by the score's ambient elements.
Free Will and Agency:
Despite its plodding pace, The Longing gives players some freedom of action. The Shade is capable of rearranging items and even making minor choices that have an impact on its immediate environment. Having these options gives you something to do while waiting and makes the time go by more quickly.
Existential and Philosophical Questions:
The philosophical and existential issues of The Longing are explored in depth. It makes you think about how time really works, how lonely you really are, and how important waiting really is. The game makes one wonder what patience is worth and what it means to be human.
Uncovering a Story:
Pieces of a tale are hidden throughout the game, revealing information about the environment, its history, and the Shade's personal background to the player. These finds provide gamers a feeling of accomplishment and curiosity, encouraging them to continue their exploration.
Time as a Gameplay Component:
The theme of waiting plays a significant role in The Longing. Since in-game time is proportional to real-world time, players will need to be patient and check in with the game often to see the long-term effects of their decisions and activities.
Community and Shared Experiences:
Through the sharing of in-game events, discoveries, and interpretations of the game's themes and story, The Longing has fostered a special feeling of community among its players. There have been several online forums and debates centered on the experience of waiting.
Conclusion:
The Longing is a fascinating departure from traditional gaming experiences, providing a contemplative and philosophical exploration of time, isolation, and life. Its unique mechanics, sparse visuals, and meditative themes force the player to take a step back and consider the value of patience. Whether you approach The Longing as an intriguing thought experiment or a novel gaming adventure, you'll be invited to accept the passing of time and immerse yourself in a world where patience and contemplation pay off in spades.
- OS: Mac OS X 10.11+
- Processor: 1.2 GHz
- RAM: 4 GB RAM
- Video card: 1024MB VRAM
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Disk space: 5 GB
