I’ve always had a weak spot for computer games. There, I’ve said it. The Gabriel Knight series saw me through my teens and hearing Tim Curry’s voice still makes me think of the good old days when practising the art of escape was on the daily menu. (Adventure) Gamers will know The Rocky Horror Picture Show has little to do with it. Well, the good old days are usually good because they are old.
The End, a brand new web game comissioned by Channel 4 Education and produced by Preloaded, however, has made me quite nostalgic. There must be something about the retro purple sky.
The beautiful artwork was created by young comic book artist Luke Pearson.
It is a game of self-discovery for 14-19 year olds which integrates strategy, puzzles and philosophical questions into a world which explores a range of commonly (or less commonly) held views about death, belief and science.
The game takes the player on a metaphysical journey, recording their interactions in the world to reveal their attitudes towards mortality. These views are presented alongside their friends and some of the most important thinkers of our time, such as Gandhi, Descartes and Einstein.
Set across three worlds – Mind, Body and Spirit – the player must use a unique shadow ‘n’ light mechanic to solve physics-based puzzles, answer questions and battle the world’s Guardians. The ultimate prizes are the Death Objects, ranging from a memorial diamond to a human heart, which deepen a player’s contextual knowledge of death and help them progress through the game.
Neat! This would have been my cup of tea! Come to think of it, it smells very pleasant still. Anyone want a sip? You can play the game here.
Anyone as enamoured with the artwork as I am will be happy to know that earlier this summer Pearson released a new graphic novel in which he explores a disintegrating relationship, while pondering on the tiny moments of life that escape us. It’s called Everything We Miss and it looks stunning.
