INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Story doesn't always come from dialogue
Clever game developers know how to transmit plot and elicit emotion through a variety of other means; musical score, imagery, color palate,
facial expression - the possibilities are endless
And, often, stories are all the more powerful for not resorting to words
captivating story and immerse us in their worlds without the use of a single spoken word.RiMERiME
Sound, visuals and gameplay come together to forge the story of a lost boy, a mysterious island and his journey back home
The narrative itself is literally carved into the island world our protagonist washes up on
Cave paintings suggest the origins of the strange isle and each mechanical puzzle the boy completes unlocks a segment of lost
Though the game offers up no definitive resolution, elevated musical scores, intricate expressions on the face of our protagonist and
(Image credit: The Voxel Agents)Puzzle games often sacrifice narrative to focus on complex puzzle mechanics
However, this is not the case in The Gardens Between
Set on an array of sandbox islands populated by a collection of items plucked straight from the memories of childhood friends Arina and
alarm clocks and video game consoles) reveal deep truths about the lives and relationships of these characters without a single word being
Controlling time is also part of the gameplay, suggesting Arina and Frendt want to remain locked in their past and present, not willing to
beautiful watercolor world around him
But this simplicity is purposeful, and allows for the story to be the focal point of the game.Guided by the contents of a letter he
received, our aged protagonist sets out on a quest of both self-discovery and reflection, as he moves through lively cities and bustling
harbors soaked in his own personal history
his hazy memories have been left in the past.JourneyJourney
this game is a masterpiece
treated to sandy dunes melting into a soft pastel sky with the sole point of interest being a bright beacon erupting from a faraway mountain
Our robed traveller simply has to get there
However, sun-drenched sands soon turn into dark caves, where drastic alteration in the color palate changes the pace and tone of the game
(Image credit: Variable State)Virginia has been labelled by some as a run of the mill walking simulator
Players control newly ordained FBI agent Anne Tarver as she tackles her first missing persons case
Gameplay is sectioned off into forty-two chapters, most filled with only seconds or minutes of gameplay before sudden transitions in time
sense when examined on their own, but when you piece them together a powerful story emerges
One that will leave you questioning what exactly it is you just witnessed long after the credits roll.InsideInside
(Image credit: Playdead)Perhaps the darkest game on this list, Inside is a multi award-winning showcase of how a color scheme, tentative
musical score and intricate backgrounds can elevate a title to excellence.Inside plays heavily on its 2D puzzler roots but interactions
lab he eventually finds himself lost within
During the first few sequences these interactions are vague and forgettable, but they soon become unsettling, then disturbing, then
Against the blank canvas of a white sky, a female figure casts a lonely silhouette
world, she gradually returns color to it, an elegant metaphor for the journey back from tragedy
Each color represents a particular emotion and adds another element of depth to both the story and the main character, emphasising our
connection with her and powering the emotional tale
Color is the language the developers use to communicate a story here, and it resonates on a deep and powerful
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