The Edgelands
- May 8, 2017
- Marshlight Software
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"The Edgelands" is a single-player Interactive Fiction game with a good story and marvelous atmosphere. Explore an uncanny rustic twilight landscape, where rural landmarks overlap with otherworldly occurrences, creating a dream-like blend of the ordinary and the supernatural. With striking visuals, a killer soundtrack, and an evocative electronic soundscape that adapts to your actions, the game provides a sedate and eerie experience, focusing on exploration and atmosphere. Funded by Fundbetter, the initiative set up by Failbetter Games, "The Edgelands" offers a unique and memorable adventure.
Reviews
- The game features a captivating atmosphere with eerie, stylized art and a great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Puzzles are strange yet intuitive, contributing to a dreamlike and contemplative gameplay experience.
- The writing is excellent, with beautiful prose that adds depth to the surreal world, making it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy exploration.
- Walking speed is slow, which can be frustrating, especially when backtracking or navigating through the environment.
- The game lacks a substantial plot, feeling more like a collection of tasks rather than a cohesive story.
- There is no save function between chapters, which can lead to repeated playthroughs of sections if the game is quit unexpectedly.
- story13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story in "the edgelands" is minimal and lacks a cohesive plot, focusing instead on atmosphere and exploration. While it hints at a dystopian backdrop and offers an interactive experience reminiscent of "Kentucky Route Zero," many players feel that the narrative does not provide enough depth or engagement to invest in the characters or their journey. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate immersive environments rather than a compelling storyline.
“I think the edgelands is best described as an interactive story, and in many aspects it's similar to Kentucky Route Zero -- a psychedelic journey in a reality that used to be our reality but then made some strange choices in its life.”
“The setting, the mysterious places and creatures, the writing, the graphics, and the animations really come together to produce what I think is one of the best short interactive story games.”
“I recommend this game more for atmosphere and story than for the puzzles or play time.”
“There isn't much of a plot to speak of in the edgelands.”
“There's not much of a story for you to invest yourself in the character or what's going on.”
“It feels like a point A to point B interactive story without much of a plot nor variation in between.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as a captivating blend of eerie and whimsical, featuring stylized art and haunting music that enhances its folkloric yet dystopian setting. While the atmosphere and story receive high praise, some players feel that the gameplay elements, such as puzzles, can become lackluster and predictable. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that many recommend, despite concerns about the game's value.
“An eerie interactive fiction game with lovely stylized art, enhanced by weird, atmospheric music that will bore itself into your mind.”
“The puzzles are strange but intuitive, which just adds to the atmospheric feeling of the world, which is both folkloric and dystopian.”
“I really liked this game; the atmosphere at times reminded me of Alice when she's lost in the forest.”
“I would recommend it for the atmosphere and story, but not for the price it's listed for currently.”
“I still really like the atmosphere and artwork, but the rest of the game quickly became bland and predictable.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a blend of stylized pixel art with higher-resolution elements, creating a unique visual atmosphere that complements its mysterious settings and creatures. While the artwork and animations are praised for their contribution to the overall ambiance, some players feel that the visuals alone are not enough to sustain interest in the gameplay, which can become repetitive and slow-paced. Overall, the graphics are appreciated for their creativity and ability to evoke a surreal experience, but they may not fully compensate for the game's narrative shortcomings.
“The setting, the mysterious places and creatures, the writing, the graphics, and the animations really come together to produce what I think is one of the best short interactive story games.”
“The visuals and sound seem to go well together to produce surreal and creepy environments.”
“I still really like the atmosphere and artwork, but the rest of the game quickly became bland and predictable.”
“The visuals and sound seem to go well together to produce surreal/creepy environments.”
“Te's stylized graphics are somewhat similar to pixel art, mixing higher-resolution stylized shapes with some lower-resolution elements in the backgrounds.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its atmospheric and eerie qualities, effectively enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While some players appreciate the superb use of electronic music, others find certain sounds peculiar, leading to mixed reactions. Overall, the soundtrack complements the game's stylized art and contributes to its immersive atmosphere.
“The soundtrack really works with what's happening on screen, making for a nice overall gameplay.”
“I can easily imagine the reactions to the game's soundtrack varying from 'superb use of electronic music' to 'why does it make those strange sounds at me?'”
“An eerie interactive fiction game with lovely stylized art, enhanced by weird, atmospheric music that will bore itself into your mind.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a relaxed and unpressured exploration of compelling worlds, making it appealing for players who enjoy leisurely experiences. While it currently lacks significant challenge, this may change as players progress further into the game.
“Those who take pleasure in meandering about in compelling worlds, without feeling pressured by gameplay or story, should find the edgelands a worthwhile experience.”
“So far, it doesn't feel particularly challenging but rather has a relaxed feel to the gameplay - but I haven't gotten too far in the game yet, so that may not always be true.”
“So far, it doesn't feel particularly challenging but rather has a relaxed feel to the gameplay - I haven't gotten too far in the game yet, so that may not always be true.”
