There haven’t been any serious, high-quality walking simulators since 2018.
The genre really ran out of steam around that time. After the release of What Remains of Edith Finch, it was as if everyone said that nothing better could be done. Giant Sparrow, the creator of What Remains of Edith Finch, hasn’t released a new game since then either. Fortunately, after years of wandering in the wilderness, the genre is trying to regain its strength. This is thanks to Arctic Awakening, an extremely beautiful new sci-fi narrative thriller developed by GoldFire Studios.
Arctic Awakening is a first-person narrative adventure game set in the mysterious Arctic North. You and your robotic companion, Alfie, must search for your missing co-pilot and uncover the secrets lurking around every corner. It was supposed to be routine: a supply drop to an Alaskan town with the autopilot on and the guard down. You and Donovan were already planning post-mission drinks when the storm hit.
Half the plane disappeared in a flash. Donovan was gone, lost to the howling tempest. After waking up from the crash, you found yourself alone and trapped in a frozen wilderness. Your only companions are a court-mandated therapy bot and subzero temperatures. Your hope for survival lies in finding your friend and maybe a way home. You are Kai, a pilot without a plane, lost in the far northern wilderness. You’ll need your wits about you to brave the elements, find your co-pilot, and escape. Along the way, you may discover what cut your plane in two and the source of the noises you hear after dark.
According to GoldFire, Arctic Awakening is divided into five chapters, each of which is about two hours long. Although the experience is story-driven, it offers slightly more interaction than most walking simulators. Development has been underway for some time. In 2022, GoldFire set a release date of 2023. Obviously, things didn’t go according to plan, but despite the obstacles, Arctic Awakening is now available.
Until September 25, it’s available on Steam at a 10% discount for €22.50 instead of €25. It’s also available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series.
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