Viva Brighton Issue #84 February 2020

FEATURE
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interactivity in walking sims for them to even qualify
as a video game, but thankfully such naysayers
haven’t hindered the development of the fascinating
genre. The walking sim has given us some of the
most moving, eloquent and strange games of the last
few years, including Firewatch, which puts you in the
shoes of a fire lookout in Shoshone National Forest,
USA; Virginia, a filmic tale of an FBI agent recollecting
her first case (inspired by Twin Peaks); and
What Remains of Edith Finch, a beguiling game about
a young woman exploring her family home, while
recalling fantastical vignettes about their demises.
It’s a thrilling new form of storytelling. There is
enough autonomy to keep one entertained, but
the controls are very simple, making them perfect
for people who are unaccustomed to playing video
games. The focus on narrative, character, and environment
in walking sims – and indie games in general
– can help video games reach a wider audience.
We’ve come a long way since Pong, and the future
of interactive storytelling in video games looks very
promising indeed. Joe Fuller
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture can be played on
Playstation 4 and most PCs
Jessica Curry hosts video game music series Sound of
Gaming, on BBC Radio 3
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