(The title of my blog is the title of a popular indie video game that has been in development since May 10, 2009.
Technically, the game isn't even finished, but it is simply amazing.)
When you first begin, you are given no direction. There is no tutorial, no instructions, nothing. There are no other people, no cities, no towns, no civilization. It's simply you standing by yourself.
If you look to the horizon though, you'll notice that there is a small forest. Perhaps you can get some wood from them? Punching trees may seem relatively stupid, but waiting around for nightfall would be an even worse idea.
It takes a while, but you have collected a little pile of wood. It takes quite a bit of thinking, but you eventually learn that by turning some of the wood into sticks, you may create a handle. A wooden pickaxe may not help you mine much, but it's all you have for now.
Time passes as you wander the landscape, while the sun passes the horizon and darkness descends upon you. You begin to walk with a bit more caution in each step, but then you suddenly take off in a sprint after hearing the hungry moan from the walking dead. To your surprise (and dismay), zombies rule the night. Right now, you are in their domain.
You dig into the ground and cover the top, sealing yourself in a hole for the night. It's a pathetic situation, you know, but what else could be done? Just then, you realize something. If a wooden pickaxe can be crafted, why not a wooden sword? You go into your inventory and attempt your brilliant idea, which obviously works.
Your wooden sword is no match for the onslaught of arrows that the skeletons can shoot, but at least it's something. It is a horrible feeling as you sit in your hole, because you are wasting precious time that could be used to collect other resources. You gather up your courage and decide to dig further downward, into the unknown. With a torch lit and a pickaxe in hand, you are not simply determined to survive. No, you wish for much more; you want to live.
(All this, and there is literally no written story or history about the game. This is the sense you have while playing. Writing is a powerful thing, but so are imagery and atmosphere. Watch the following videos to see why this is an award winning game.
I always thought this game could be made into an amazing book. I could definitely see it.)
Thanks to my brother, I actually know exactly what you are talking about. He showed it to me over Thanksgiving Break perhaps? When I tried it, however, he was with me, so I basically just asked him how to do everything. He kind of saved me from the inevitable fate of the monster things on the first night. I like how you made a simple game sound so freeing, which is actually kind of accurate. I must admit, on the search for rare types of raw minerals, I got myself extremely lost. There is no map. And many hills. Without a plan to guide you, there is danger. Let this be a life lesson...
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