![]() Its best days have been behind it for decades. It has a rich and storied history, and the markings of past lives can be seen all around. The road traces gently up and down a hillside, from a sleepy residential neighborhood all the way through a modest town square, before eventually trailing off into a dense tree line. There are some spookier moments set in more abstract places, but almost the entire set of locations found in Night in the Woods fall on this one main path along Maple Street. "By using simplified art, music, movement, and dialogue, the player is free to fill in the gaps with their own imagination" And I happen to think a major component in that formula for success is a vibrant backdrop. Many works explore this material, but few manage to hit this particular sweet spot between knowing cliche and genuine sincerity. And don’t even get me started on the surprisingly deep lore, with tales of old gods and mythical legends that play a fairly important role in the latter end of the game. Over and over again I found myself relating personally to themes of depression, anxiety, existential crisis, finding purpose, and general uncertainty with life. Its story resonates with me more than almost any other piece of media I can recall ever consuming. (Source: Engadget)ĭespite the simplicity of that recipe, the game feels emotionally gargantuan. Over 50% of Night in the Woods consists simply of waking up, exploring around town, and eventually finding an available friend to socialize with. She does what many of that age living with their parents without bills or responsibilities would do: sleep late and hang out with friends. She happens to be a black cat with a healthy sense of melancholy and self-described “nightmare eyes.” Mae has just returned back home after an unnamed incident that involved suddenly dropping out of college. Because it’s in Possum Springs, the sleepy hamlet from 2017’s Night in the Woods, that made me realize the potential of the adventure game genre.įor the unfamiliar, players take on the role of distressed twenty-year-old Mae Borowski. ![]() Even its name feels like a carefree nap in the warm sunshine: Maple Street.Īnd it can be found just a few minutes away from wherever you are right this moment. I feel more nostalgic for it than I do for my own hometown. It’s not an especially busy street, but it goes on for quite a while, and on it lies more wistfulness per square foot than I’ve ever experienced anywhere else. There’s a particular street that comes to mind when I think of my favorite places. If you're in need of a break where summers don't end, old friends are everywhere, and everything still sucks, just a bit less, it might be a good time for you to try Night in the Woods. I first wrote this story in 2018, and after the years that have followed, I could certainly use a trip back to this virtual place that I hold so dear.
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