Minimalist, narrative-driven house exploration recreation Voyageur has a type of great sci-fi ideas that so seldom get made into video games; What if faster-than-light journey had been potential, however solely in a single route? Thanks to the invention of an alien expertise generally known as the Descent Device, folks can now discover the universe inside a single lifetime, but it surely’s all the time going to be a one-way journey in the direction of the galactic core. Previously launched on iOS & Android some months in the past, right this moment marks its launch on PC.
Voyageur was initially designed to suit its whole existence comfortably onto smartphone display screen – brief vignette adventures, a number of alternative story branching and easy service provider interfaces. The PC model has expanded in an fascinating means – quite than develop the precise gameplay house by a lot, developer Bruno Dias has opted to develop the background map to fill the unused house. Intended or in any other case, it gives an oddly expanded sense of scale, and conveys the sense that you simply’re a great distance from a house you’ll be able to by no means return to.
As you fall via the universe, you’ll discover civilisations and colonies established by pre-FTL human travellers, or different Voyageurs like your self, who opted to drop into uncharted house and set up their very own worlds. The universe itself is procedurally generated so no two playthroughs ought to be the identical, however the assorted story vignettes and characters you’ll be able to recruit to your crew are, in fact, written by hand. The one-way-trip angle positively lends this a extra contemplative, philosophical edge than most house exploration video games.
The considered tumbling downwards, discovering your self snagged on whole empires as you fall is an attractive idea, and one thing that I’d positively wish to attempt my hand at. That stated, John was excitedly eyeing up Voyageur, so we’ll probably know Wot He Thinks about it earlier than too lengthy, if he ever finds out find out how to ship a message again uphill via house. Wish him luck.
Voyageur is out now on Linux, Mac & Windows for $5 (or $eight for the sport and soundtrack), and you may find it here on Itch.io.
