Here's one in danger of being overlooked: ATONE. A narrative puzzle game inspired by Nordic mythology and put together by a three-person studio based in New Zealand, Wildboy Studios. With nothing but a Macbook trackpad, they handcrafted (read: not procedurally generated) a gorgeous 2D vector world that, visually, travels comfortably between Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP and Hyper Light Drifter. The story is penned by UK writer Rebecca Haigh, who had no small task on her shoulders considering ATONE's story heaviness. The soundtrack, composed by James Shuar, aka Luminist, blankets the entire mythos from front to back with dream-laden electronic soundscapes, and also integrates into the music-rhythm combat.
The Gods have abandoned Midgard. Once a prosperous land teeming with mythical beasts and beings, it now rots from the inside, tainted by unknown forces. Odin’s chosen guardians of the realm are gone. In their absence, the sacred Elder Tree they swore to protect is exposed to abuse and manipulation. Now, the only remnants of hope reside in Estra, the daughter of mankind’s last great leader. Twelve years after escaping the vicious ambush that claimed the life of her father, Estra is troubled by heady dreams of events both past and present; visions that settle like cold stones in her stomach. She awakes to discover that the sacred gemstone her father gave her has started to glow.
I've got to admit, raw puzzle-solving and Guitar Hero gameplay isn't my particular cup of tea. But I'd be willing to give it a shot to get to see more of this gorgeous world and hear the uncommon story of a woman taking up her deceased father's mantle.
ATONE is coming to PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, and Xbox One in 2019.
