What Surrounds Us will make you think a lot about circles
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Jay Peters
What Surrounds Us is a unique indie game where players navigate a world constructed entirely of circles to solve puzzles. The game emphasizes themes of environmental connection and cooperative movement through a familiar, Zelda-inspired adventure format.
Exploring the Circular World of What Surrounds Us
A Unique Geometric Perspective
What Surrounds Us distinguishes itself immediately through its unconventional visual language. By casting the player as a sentient circle—reminiscent of a frosted donut—the game forces a shift in how players perceive standard navigational challenges. The world is not merely a backdrop but a cohesive ecosystem built entirely of circular motifs, creating a visual consistency that is both trippy and conceptually rigorous.
Thematic Depth Through Design
Beyond the aesthetic, the circular design serves as a narrative device. The game’s title is a literal instruction, urging players to consider their relationship with their environment. By necessitating cooperation with other sentient circles to solve puzzles and traverse the map, the game explores themes of interconnectivity and symbiosis. It suggests that our movement and existence are inextricably linked to the 'circles'—or environments—that surround us.
Familiar Foundations and Zelda-like Echoes
Despite its avant-garde visual presentation, the game utilizes a familiar structural foundation. Players will find echoes of classic adventure titles like The Legend of Zelda as they trek through three distinct, sprawling regions. This blend of experimental art style with traditional puzzle-solving mechanics makes the game accessible to a wide audience while retaining a distinct, artistic identity.
Mechanics of Movement and Growth
Progression in What Surrounds Us is driven by the acquisition of new powers. As players traverse the map, the gameplay evolves from simple navigation to more complex interactions with the environment. These powers are essential for overcoming the lightweight puzzles that act as gatekeepers between the game’s various regions, ensuring that the sense of discovery remains constant throughout the experience.
Broader Implications for Indie Gaming
This title represents a growing trend in indie gaming where developers use abstract geometry to convey complex philosophical themes. By stripping away the clutter of hyper-realistic environments, What Surrounds Us proves that a game can be deeply impactful by focusing on a singular design motif. It challenges the industry standard of sprawling, realistic open worlds by showing that a cohesive, stylized map can be just as engaging and immersive.
Concluding Thoughts
What Surrounds Us is an intriguing example of how environmental design can dictate gameplay and thematic resonance. By combining a unique, circular aesthetic with the tried-and-true tropes of the adventure genre, it offers a refreshing experience that encourages players to stop and consider the world around them—both inside and outside the digital screen.