Intro: The longing is a point and click adventure game set in an underground kingdom. Playing as the shade, I needed to look after the king and wake him after 400 days. This title was released March 5th 2020, this is also the time that COVID was occurring. The best art comes at moments when despair is at its greatest the despair, we all felt, the isolation we were all experiencing during COVID showcased and manifested itself in this game. Hello Darkness, my Old Friend: This game is a philosophical journey through a shade's lonely thoughts and delusional determination to wait for their king to wake. Trudging through darkness, making your way through caverns, exploring just how long 400 days can be make for an interesting experience for an indie game. Since this game is in real time everything the player does or will have to do is predicated on the fact that you have to wait for certain things to happen to continue with the game. (hence why this is a mini review). There’s a door that the player will need to open to continue on in the game, opening that door takes (in real time mind you) two hours. To grow certain things or wait for a spider to build its web may take a few hours or a day. This game is fascinating because it relies heavily on the players patience and their willingness to wait for something they potentially want. Simplicity at its finest: When it comes to the controls of this game its very strait forward you can pick up items, eat items, draw, walk, use a mattock to break through to different areas etc. there is one mechanic that I really like in particular where you can remember the area so you can walk there without getting lost. There are brightness controls, music controls, automatic walking it really is a morbid yet peaceful experience of a game. throughout the journey of this little shade it will talk to itself denoting signs of depression, loneliness and isolation. When the time passes bit by bit it’s a reminder that being by yourself is great, but complete isolation from everyone else creates despair and a hunger to know what’s lurking just beyond the shadows. This game takes patience and empathy and understanding the message behind it left me feeling mentally rewarded. My personal rating a 4/5 I did not get to finish this game due to things needing to happen in real time. Once the game is done then I will edit this piece, updating you guys.
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