The previous yr has been tough for lots of smaller studios, and the most recent casualty could also be Forgotten Key, builders of the moderately pretty exploration journey Aer: Memories Of Old. Despite the game being nicely obtained, the clearly gifted studio say here that they’ve struggled to search out buyers and hold the lights on. Unless one thing adjustments quickly, the workforce will disband. Kindly, they’ve launched prototype demos of two games they have been hoping to make. Vind is a non secular successor to Aer (although not a sequel), and Down The Well is an exploration journey impressed by Scandinavian folklore. Trailers for each are beneath.
Looking on the trailers, I can’t assist however really feel just a little offended that such clearly pretty issues aren’t sufficient to draw buyers or promote sufficient to maintain a small workforce afloat. While primarily based round a brand new tradition of sky-island dwellers, Vind seems to be to have every little thing that made Aer so stress-free to play. The freedom to modify between human and hen types, the liberty to fly and discover the place you’ll, and delicate exploration and puzzles as a substitute of fight and rigidity. I’m wanting ahead to taking it for a spin myself after work tonight.
Down The Well looks like a radical departure – virtually a mirror picture of Aer and Vind. Set underground in claustrophobic tunnels wrathed in mist, ashes and flame. While Aer was concerning the freedom to go anyplace, Down The Well is outlined by the place you may’t. Things glimpsed off within the distance are objectives to be labored in the direction of, with every little thing between you and your vacation spot there to be collected, or an impediment to be clambered over and swung previous. I’m hoping that issues change, and Forgotten Key have an opportunity to additional construct on this attention-grabbing new basis.
There remains to be a glimmer of hope for Forgotten Key. As Robin Helte’s blog post says, there’s nonetheless time for an investor to swoop in and throw a sack of cash at these prototype games. Failing that, it additionally accommodates a listing of contact particulars for everybody on the studio that might be left in search of work. Forgotten Key appear to be dealing with the state of affairs nicely, and even when the worst involves go, I hope their gifted pool of artists, musicians and coders finds work quickly.
You can discover Aer: Memories Of Old right here on Steam or GOG for £13.49/€14.99/$14.99 or half value over on Humble. The free prototypes will be discovered on Itch for Vind and Down The Well. Forgotten Key promise that Aer can be left accessible on storefronts for the foreseeable future.
