It isn’t often that you’ll find me writing news for anything other than an MMOG, so this is a first for me. I picked this up from the Frictional Games development blog whilst reading a huge analysis of Amnesia by The Escapist, but Hide was actually created by someone called shouldice over at the Super Friendship Club, a place where people go to talk about games they’re making and get feedback on them. I don’t really want to tell you anything else about it as finding it on the Frictional Games website should be all you need to know. At only 14mb you have to download this and let me know what you think.
Do it now.
Email the author of this post at lewisb@tap-repeatedly.com
I tapped repeatedly alright. I’ll await more comments until I start going into any detail.
Some interesting observations here:
http://thenocturnalrambler.blogspot.com/2011/08/dont-hide-from-this-review.html
Yah, I played this after it was featured on RPS a couple of weeks ago (I think?). I haven’t finished the game for two reasons (a) stained trousers (b) interaction with the game emphasises atmosphere rather than the “act of gameplay”.
There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a great mood piece, despite the drubbing from some of the RPS comments. But doubt I’ll finish it.
I repeat: stained trousers.
An interesting game. These things that are stripped to their basics are fascinating. But not that particularly fun to play. Which itself intrigues me, as I try to figure out why not. Is it because they take a lot of emotional commitment? Or because they’re dull? The former, I think. In reproducing anxiety they lessen the amount of fun I have playing them. Maybe they’re works of art. Does that make them good? It’s hard to say. Do I, who constantly fuss about the lack of depth/writing/art in games, really want a game to be art? Or do I just want it to let me escape from reality for a while?
All from a blocky little game that starts with a siren in the background.
I feel the same way HM. I got 3 out of 5 before getting cornered and didn’t really want to return to it. Very atmospheric though.
It reminded me a lot of 1916 Der Unbekannte Krieg, a short horror game which can be downloaded or played in your browser. Check it out here. I’ll not spoil it for you.