In this game, you are a citizen in an underground, fantasy version of Victorian London. London has been "stolen by bats," brought into an underground world called the Neath, and slowly adapted to its new surroundings. Throughout this game, you gain qualities, which allow you to complete tasks: Watchful, which allows you to spy on people (represented by an owl), Shadowy, which allows you to steal from people (represented by a cat), Dangerous, which allows you to fight people (represented by a bear), and Persuasive, which allows you to manipulate people (represented by a fox). Okay, that was an oversimplification, but this game still kind of encourages you to be a bad person, which is kind of fun! The devious persona you build lets you be who you are in the dark. The worldbuilding is incredibly detailed and clever, with mysterious secrets manifesting themselves at every turn. Come to Veilgarden and sample the mushroom wine, and the prisoner's honey, which allows you to experience your dreams. Play some Knife-and-Candle at Watchmaker's Hill. Do some archeology in the Forgotten Quarter and learn about the cities that came before. This game is truly voluptuous. Its writing style is enrapturing and beautiful. It calls you "delicious friend," its logo is a top hat with eyes and little fangs, and you can have a Sulky Bat as a pet! Currently, I am a compelling, sagacious, and irrisistable individual of mysterious and indistinct gender. Why "mysterious and indistinct gender," you may ask? "My dear sir, there are individuals roaming the streets of Fallen London at this very moment with the faces of squid! Squid! Do you ask them their gender? And yet you waste our time asking me trifling and impertinent questions about mine? It is my own business, sir, and I bid you good day."
A significant part of this game, especially its worldbuilding and backstory, is Lovecraft-esque cosmic horror-- eldritch entities and abominations, ruined cities, madness, and information that mankind was not meant to know. (I mean, come on, there's even a tentacle in the promo art). If you like Lovecraft, you would probably enjoy this game. Not all of Fallen London revolves around the cosmic horror thing, but DON'T SEEK MR. EATEN'S NAME.
For a game that's mostly text on a screen, it's very atmospheric.
Though the app no longer exists, the soundtrack is still fantastic:
No comments:
Post a Comment