Certain games can carry themselves solely on looks alone, but when you fall in love with a character in a game, everything within that game can manifest into a greater experience. My most memorable video game characters have changed my ideas, my perception on life, and have subconsciously held lifelong admiration or awkward crushes that could certainly last a lifetime. I mean, all this fan fiction isn’t going to write itself. With this new set of games we have some coming, we have even more characters who we will learn to fall in love with.
Beyond Eyes
Beyond Eyes introduces us to a ten-year-old girl who has lost her eye sight. Rae begins her journey through a white world devoid of all detail or context. The environment comes to life like a painting as you explore the world with your other senses. Sound is an important factor in order to progress in the game since every scratch or drip in the real world adds to the mental world forming in her mind. You’ll interact with the world by piecing together the clues your senses receive. Is that can rolling on the ground from a wayward trashcan or someone about to strike? Be careful in what you believe.
Rae manages to be both vulnerable and yet, very capable in taking on a world of mystery and danger. Where others may turn back, Rae keeps moving forward with her senses searching for the next clue to grasp on to. The look of the game pulls you in along with Rae’s charming and hopeful spirit. Developers Tiger and Squid, along with Team 17 plan to release Beyond Eyes on Xbox One, PC, and PS4 sometime in 2015.
Volume
Mike Bithell’s Volume is in my MUST play. Your character is Robert Locksley, a modern day Robin Hood who finds a devise called “Volume” to simulate heists. Robert seems to be given opportunities within the game to make choices on who he wants to side with while pulling off each of the slick capers.
Visually, the polygonal look draws you in, but the environments are ever changing as robotic guards search different areas. The moments that really sold me was the familiar whistling, wall hugging, and sneaking pass guards that reminded me of Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid series. Robert’s quick movements and choices take you through these environments are beyond satisfying when completed successfully. Oh and it gets better, you will be able to make your own levels and share them with others! You won’t have to wait long. Volume sneaks into your living rooms on August 18th for PS4 and PlayStation Vita.
Tacoma
Little is known about this game by The Fullbright Company, it was first seen 2014 at the PlayStation Experience event and then again at Xbox’s Media briefing 2015. What I am curious is the story of Amy Ferrier, a young woman who finds herself on a seemingly-deserted space station 200,000 miles from Earth.
I find her character so curious, adventurous, and brave. Sailing weightless through the empty tunnels as you watch echos of the past move around sounds like something out of a horror movie, but Amy seems to take it all in stride – for now. Her fearlessness and determination make me want to join her on this journey. Having an absolutely gorgeous world to explore doesn’t hurt either. Tacoma will be a Microsoft timed exclusive then eventually be available on PC, Xbox One, and PS4 sometime in 2016.
Feature Image Credit: Mike Bithell/Volume