Benign Land

About

Just UpdatedRelease Date Announced!We’re incredibly excited to share that Benign Land will officially be released next Friday, January 24! A project that started as a site-specific art installation in Belfast will now become available for people to experience in their own space & time. An unconventional game that we believe it won’t disappoint in providing a one-of-a-kind journey. Wishlist…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 29 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features stunning visuals and an immersive sound design that creates a captivating atmosphere.
Benign Land offers a unique artistic experience that encourages introspection and reflection on historical themes.
The smooth camera movement and elegant controls enhance the feeling of floating through beautifully crafted landscapes.

The game lacks a clear narrative or gameplay mechanics, making it difficult for players unfamiliar with the historical context to engage with it.
Many players found the experience to be too short, with a runtime of around 20 minutes and no distinct ending.
The controls can feel unresponsive at times, with camera movement lagging behind mouse input, which detracts from the overall experience.

graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
18%
27%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their striking beauty and immersive quality, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of evocative visuals and sound design, which together evoke deep emotional responses and invite reflection. The smooth camera movement and elegant controls further contribute to the game's artistic presentation, making it feel like a living artwork.
- “The visuals in this game are beautiful and support the dark themes of the experience.”
- “Benign land is an immersive journey, like stepping into a living, breathing artwork.”
- “The sound design combined with the evocative visuals creates a mysterious atmosphere and invites you to take your time and reflect.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
- “The character models look flat and lifeless, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “The environments feel bland and uninspired, making exploration less enjoyable.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game's story is described as subtle and lacking traditional narrative elements, leaving some players confused due to the absence of backstory or direct narration. However, it offers a unique experience through environmental storytelling and the use of space, silence, and absence, which some players found engaging and immersive, prompting them to revisit the journey for a deeper understanding. Overall, while the storytelling approach may not resonate with everyone, it presents a distinctive take on narrative in gaming.
- “This is a new experience for me and I was curious to see how storytelling, art, and video games come together.”
- “However, if you're looking for something unique—a game that tells its story not through action, but through space, absence, and silence—Benign Land offers something truly special.”
- “I enjoyed the whole experience a lot, and I wasn't able to take my eyes off the screen till the story was completely unfolded (and even after that I kept the journey going by following the path a second time just to experience it again and more).”
- “If there is a story in the beginning of the game, I don't understand it as it may be a little too subtle; I didn't understand it at all.”
- “There was no narration or any story of any kind.”
- “No story, no gameplay, nothing interactive.”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
44%
33%
The gameplay is characterized as a meditative walking simulator that emphasizes atmosphere over traditional mechanics, featuring a slower, more deliberate pace that may not appeal to all players. While it lacks conventional gameplay elements and interactivity, it offers a unique experience for those seeking an artistic and emotionally resonant journey.
- “Atmospheric walking simulator with meditative gameplay.”
- “What stood out most to me was the emotional resonance through subtle mechanics.”
- “No story, no gameplay, nothing interactive.”
- “The lack of traditional gameplay and the slower, more deliberate pace might not be for everyone.”
- “Maybe a difficult game to get into, but highly recommended for people who are looking for something a bit different, for a slower-paced artistic game without much gameplay!”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
The atmosphere of "Benign Land" is described as immersive and meditative, encouraging players to explore at their own pace while absorbing its captivating visuals and sound design. Reviewers highlight the game's unique lighting and mysterious ambiance, which create a reflective experience that feels both artistic and engaging. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its ability to draw players into a larger, almost transcendent experience.
- “This game seems like one of those projects that tries to captivate the player with atmosphere and mystery, leaving room for personal exploration of the world.”
- “The space, atmosphere, and lighting were very unique, and the whole experience was quite trippy, with the huge LED screen sucking you into it.”
- “The sound design combined with the evocative visuals creates a mysterious atmosphere and invites you to take your time and reflect.”
- “I found myself engaging with it twice—once to fully absorb its atmosphere and again to screen capture the striking visuals (to use as some potential desktop backgrounds).”
- “Benign Land seems like one of those projects that tries to captivate the player with atmosphere and mystery, leaving room for personal exploration of the world.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The music and audio design are standout features of the game, with many users recommending the use of headphones and a good sound setup to fully appreciate the mesmerizing soundtrack and immersive soundscapes. The soundtrack enhances the overall experience, contributing to striking visuals and effective pacing.
- “I definitely suggest playing with a controller and headphones to take in the music and audio design.”
- “The music and sound design were the highlight for me, worth playing with a good sound setup to enjoy those fully.”
- “The soundtrack is a real highlight for me, it really adds to the whole experience.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a minimalistic yet deeply emotional experience, effectively balancing aesthetic beauty with narrative complexity. Players highlight the emotional resonance achieved through subtle mechanics, making it a compelling and worthwhile experience.
- “The game's visual style and development approach itself hint at a minimalistic yet emotional experience.”
- “What stood out most to me was the emotional resonance through subtle mechanics.”
- “It’s a concise work that manages to balance aesthetic beauty, narrative complexity, and emotional resonance, making it well worth experiencing.”