Since I’ve ended up incoherently semi-shouting this at a number of individuals not too long ago (sorry, Nat), I’ll save myself the time and write it down: Connor Sherlock’s The Migration feels to me like witnessing an apocalyptic occasion, and it’s nice. There you’re, wandering across the floor of some desolate world, solely bleached bones and warbling synth for firm, when the top comes. Or a starting. Or… a change, undoubtedly. And then the music actually kicks in and oh god, that is horrible, that is lovely, I’m so glad I’m right here for it.
I believe The Migration at all times ends after seven minutes and it’s pay-what-you-want on Itch.io, with no minimal worth, so it’s possible you’ll as effectively hop to proper now. Come on then.
Several of Sherlock’s strolling simulators have the sensation of being powerless within the presence of one thing terrible. There you’re, alone on the surface of a comet, discovering alien ruins. There are you, surrounded by giant concrete spikes, realising the panorama you’re strolling by means of is meant to be a warning. There you’re, alone in the woods, stumbling throughout unattainable obelisks. There you’re, in the countryside, beneath a large UFO.
His games of this type ship us into massive areas the place even the dimensions will be alarming, often accompanied solely by improbable retro-sounding sci-fi horror synth soundtracks, to really feel thrilled by exploration and wholly helpless within the face of what we discover. The universe is huge and I’m insignificant. I am keen on it. There’s an Ozymandian sense of loss, besides generally it’s all so alien I don’t fairly know if I’m taking a look at some fella’s legs or, like, a pleasant rock.
The Migration is 2 years previous however springs thoughts currently as a result of it’s brief and easy but the principle picture is putting. It’s been caught deep sufficient in my head currently that in my sleep I see these pillars raining from the sky beneath a blue solar. And when the drums kick in, my coronary heart begins pounding HELL YES IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD LET’S GO.
Also, I believe it’s potential to overlook the principle occasion? Nice.
If you dig it, I strongly suggest his three Walking Simulator A Month Club collections. Some of these are extra mundane, or extra city, or extra hopeful, or extra joyful, or smaller, or they ship you jetpacking, or they allow you to transfer with horrible pace, or… numerous various things. They’re on Itch.io now and headed to Steam later this 12 months. Some different good stuff from people within the Ambient Mixtape which spawned The Migration too.
