Walden, a game

About

In "Walden, a game," players step into the shoes of Henry David Thoreau in an immersive simulation of his experiment in simple living. The game encourages players to explore the woods, contemplate transcendental philosophy, and manage their basic needs at Walden Pond. With its soothing soundtrack and beautiful art style, "Walden, a game" invites introspection and promotes mindfulness as players navigate Thoreau's journey towards self-reliance and self-discovery.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 96 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

grinding8 negative mentions

The game offers a relaxing and immersive experience, beautifully capturing the essence of nature and Thoreau's philosophy.
Graphics and sound design are commendable, providing a soothing atmosphere that enhances the gameplay.
The incorporation of literary elements and historical context makes it a thoughtful and educational experience for players.

Gameplay can feel tedious and repetitive, with survival tasks that detract from the exploration and enjoyment of the environment.
The user interface and mechanics are outdated, leading to frustration with navigation and task management.
The pacing of the game is often too fast, making it difficult to fully engage with the serene aspects of Thoreau's experience.

story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
75%
13%
The story in "Walden" is a reflective exploration of Henry David Thoreau's life during his time at Walden Pond, capturing key moments and themes of simplicity and nature. While the narrative is not linear and can feel disjointed due to the quest structure, it effectively immerses players in Thoreau's philosophy through various quests and environmental storytelling. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of exploration and narrative, appealing to those who appreciate a more contemplative gaming experience.
- “Walden has a great theme, story, and artwork.”
- “So far as its story is concerned, I feel the game did a tremendous job of compressing several key moments from Thoreau’s life within the span of the game.”
- “Clearly a lot of work has gone into building up the world and the story with objects you can inspect, notes, letters, books, and people you meet.”
- “The experience of playing Walden is ludonarratively dissonant from the story and message of Walden; rushed, frustrating, and frantic.”
- “His description of the two years (1845–1847) he spent living in a small cottage in the woods near Walden Pond, in order to prove the spiritual benefits of living a simpler lifestyle away from modern society, is more a set of reflections than a coherent story.”
- “There are a small number of storylines (or 'missions' if we talk computer-gamish) to follow to give a broader experience and understanding of Thoreau himself, but they are not needed for completion of the game.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
67%
14%
The gameplay in "Walden, a game" is characterized as simplistic and reminiscent of 90s mechanics, often described as repetitive and lacking depth, with much of the experience revolving around walking, observing nature, and performing basic survival tasks. While some players appreciate the game's earnestness and thoughtful design, many find the gameplay grindy and unenjoyable, suggesting that it may appeal more to those seeking a relaxing journey through nature rather than traditional gaming challenges. Overall, the mechanics are seen as a mixed bag, offering a unique perspective on survival but ultimately falling short of engaging gameplay.
- “While there are some long-term goals, most gameplay consists of walking along the banks of Walden Pond, inspecting wildlife, and jotting down notes in your journal.”
- “The gameplay is fairly simple; with a left click and movement of the mouse, you will be able to fish, hunt, eat, chop wood, row, mend your clothes, farm, and build/fix your house.”
- “It was relaxing, and while there was little hand-holding, once I got used to the mechanics, I found it pleasant, simple, beautiful, and extremely thoughtful.”
- “Ultimately, the UI and gameplay feels like something from the 90s, really archaic and borderline unplayable, certainly unenjoyable.”
- “There's clearly a lot of work behind some aspects of this game, like worldbuilding, writing, and even wildlife animations, but the gameplay itself is the most half-assed repetitive survival crap I've ever seen.”
- “The mechanics are a bit simplistic and dated.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
44%
19%
The graphics in the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the beautiful landscapes and artistic design typical of a 2017 Unity title. However, some users noted issues such as layering problems and performance difficulties on lower-end hardware, which can detract from the experience. Overall, while not the best in the market, the graphics effectively complement the game's theme and aesthetic.
- “Anyway, wonderful game: good graphics, amazing sounds; I waste valuable days looking at the pond and listening to the branches moving with the wind or the sound of the rain on the water. Wonderful voices, with texts taken directly from the book.”
- “Walden has a great theme, story, and artwork.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the point of view is fun.”
- “The graphics are very poor and so is the movement.”
- “Getting the game to load was difficult and time-consuming; I assume because of the graphics.”
- “I had to play the game with the lowest graphics setting just to load it.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
89%
The grinding aspect of the game is characterized by a tedious and repetitive cycle of chores, such as gathering resources and maintaining your home, which can detract from the overall experience. While some players find the immersive elements interesting, many agree that the slow pace and necessity of these tasks can make gameplay feel monotonous and frustrating. Overall, the grind is seen as a significant but flawed component of the game, impacting its enjoyment and rating.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “There are chores to be done and they do become a tedious necessity: chopping wood, gathering food, repairing your home, and sewing your clothes. Often it feels like the days (which change with the seasons) are too short.”
- “But the game quickly descends into a tedious exercise in balancing hunger, firewood gathering, and general maintenance of your shack and your clothing.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The game's music features a free soundtrack that must be obtained separately, complemented by relaxing nature sounds that enhance the immersive experience. Users appreciate the sound design, which includes adjustable sliders for personal preference, although some recommend lowering the music volume. Overall, the combination of thoughtful music and environmental sounds creates a pleasant auditory backdrop.
- “Thoreau's thoughts on nature and human life combined with relaxing music and sounds.”
- “Wonderful sound design with plenty of nature sounds, perfectly matching the environments, along with a pleasant music track and sliders for users to adjust it.”
- “Graphics are nice with decent sound and music; I suggest you lower the music but keep it on, as I normally turn off music.”
- “There is a free soundtrack, but it doesn't automatically come with the game.”
- “The music in the areas I have visited feels repetitive.”
- “Thoreau's thoughts on nature and human life combined with relaxing music and sounds feel disconnected.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its poignant portrayal of Thoreau's life and philosophy, evoking feelings of nostalgia and melancholy. Players resonate with the fantasy of escaping to nature, experiencing a deep connection to the themes of solitude and self-discovery, which can elicit strong emotional responses. Overall, the game offers a touching and reflective experience that leaves a lasting impact.
- “I love the passages from the book; seeing how Walden 'actually' looked made me cry.”
- “It made me feel as if I were a ghost, or maybe a human living in a ghost world.”
- “It's wholesome and melancholic; it allows you to play with the all-too-common fantasy of 'leaving everything behind and living in the woods,' like a faithless hermit searching for a new path for themselves.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The atmosphere is praised for its beautiful surroundings and overall ambiance, creating a captivating experience, though some find the pace to be slow. In contrast, the rapid day/night cycle adds a sense of urgency, reminiscent of faster-paced games like Grand Theft Auto.
- “The ambiance is wonderful: beautiful surroundings and a captivating atmosphere, though it is definitely slow-paced.”
- “A similar fast-paced atmosphere is created by the frantic day/night cycle, which is faster than in a Grand Theft Auto game.”
- “The atmosphere feels rushed and chaotic, largely due to the frantic day/night cycle, which is faster than in a Grand Theft Auto game.”
- “The game lacks a cohesive atmosphere, making it difficult to immerse myself in the world.”
- “Despite the vibrant visuals, the atmosphere feels hollow and uninspired, failing to evoke any real emotion.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game demonstrates strong stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where users report it runs smoothly, making it an ideal choice for portable play.
- “Might be best played in bed on a Steam Deck; it runs great.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
- “I've experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
While the game offers a notable element of replayability, some users feel that the implementation could have been improved for a more engaging experience.
- “Despite introducing a welcome element of replayability, I do wish this had been done a bit differently.”
- “The game lacks the depth needed to make me want to replay it after finishing.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to dive back in.”