Gorogoa
Gorogoa | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Jason Roberts |
Composer(s) | Austin Wintory |
Platform(s) |
Microsoft Windows OS X iOS Android |
Release date(s) | 2016 |
Genre(s) | Puzzle |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gorogoa is a puzzle video game in development by Jason Roberts for Microsoft Windows, OS X, iOS, and Android. The Windows and Mac versions will be released in 2016 with the mobile version some time after.
Gameplay
In Gorogoa players are presented with four images in a grid and must stack, combine, and explore each image to find a connection between them in order to advance and open new areas.[1][2] Players are not guided through the process, as the game contains no language, and must work out what they need to do to finish each level.[3][4]
The plot involves a boy seeking an encounter with a divine monster, exploring themes of spirituality and religion.[3][5]
Development
Jason Roberts began to develop a card game inspired by interactive comics in his spare time while working full-time, but later decided the style was too complex.[1][3] The game has been in full-time development for two years.[6] Roberts adopted the title Gorogoa from a name he invented for an imaginary creature in his youth. He chose it for the game because it was not part of any existing language; wanting the game to be accessible to anyone, regardless of language, and thus choosing not to add any to the game.[3][5] The game's audio is composed by Austin Wintory, who also composed the audio for 2012 video game Journey, and Eduardo Ortiz Frau is the game's sound designer.[7]
Gorogoa is written in a custom-built game engine created by Roberts in Java, and all illustrations are hand drawn by Roberts.[8] Roberts cites David Roberts, Gustave Doré, Christopher Manson, and Chris Ware as influences to his art style.[6] Roberts says the game has taken much longer to develop than he anticipated.[9]
The game was revealed at the 2012 Indiecade and is planned for release on PC in 2016 with a mobile release to follow, though a short demo version is currently playable.[7][10]
Reception
Gorogoa won the Visual Design Award at the 2012 Indiecade,[11] and in 2013 won the Good Game Club top prize.[12] The game also won the 2014 Independent Games Festival Excellence in Visual Art award for which it also received honorable mentions in the Design and Narrative categories.[6]
References
- 1 2 Farokhmanesh, Megan (25 May 2013). "Puzzle in the picture: how Gorogoa brings art to life through mind-twisting challenges". Polygon. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ Meer, Alec (12 October 2012). "Windows 2013: Gorogoa". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Hernandez, Patricia (14 November 2012). "If You Like Comics Or Trippy Dreams, You'll Love This Game". Kotaku. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ Smith, Graham (4 December 2013). "Hands On: Gorogoa, A Puzzle Game About Pictures". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- 1 2 Matulef, Jeffrey (11 October 2012). "Brilliant hand-illustrated Indiecade finalist Gorogoa now has a demo". Eurogamer.
- 1 2 3 Graft, Kris (18 February 2014). "Road to the IGF: Jason Roberts' Gorogoa". Gamasutra. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
- 1 2 Warr, Philippa (23 December 2013). "Gorogoa first look: a charming and beautiful illustrative puzzle game". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ Petitte, Omri (11 October 2012). "Gorogoa is a completely hand-drawn puzzler of Magritte-esque surrealism". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ Walker, John (11 March 2014). "IGF Factor 2014: Gorogoa". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ↑ Allin, Jack (11 October 2012). "Demo for Gorogoa opens window into unique new puzzler". Adventure Gamers. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ Conditt, Jessica (11 October 2013). "IndieCade 2012 winners get their crowns, IndieCade East in 2013". Joystiq. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ Conditt, Jessica (19 November 2013). "Good Game Club picks hand-drawn puzzler Gorogoa for top prize". Joystiq. Retrieved 2 January 2014.