Kentucky Route Zero is a very special game to me. It's my favorite game of all time, in large part because I find it so incredibly meaningful. It makes very worthwhile statements throughout on some heavy topics like the oppressive nature of debt and both the continuity and brevity of life. But it never beats you over the head with its messaging. It's woven throughout the experience in subtle ways, creating a subconscious impression that only became evident to me in a conscious way as I reflected on the game after finishing it. Kentucky Route Zero is the only game that I think everyone should play at some point, because it's not just about having a good time or escaping into a fantasy. It's about examining our own lives through the journey these characters embark upon.
This game feels like a perfect encapsulation of humans longing for other worlds, escapism. The way the world establishes itself, a place forgotten by the rest of the world. Moving at a slower pace. I felt and continue to feel the rewards that this game provides. There's truly no better way to describe it than as you said in the video, it feels like a long, beautiful, exhilarating dream. I find myself thinking about this game so regularly, it just latched onto a portion of my subconscious and never left. I imagine this is what the first enjoyers of literature and art felt like, it just felt so real, as if that barrier that always exists between people and what we create had been lifted. I wish there was more like it, I wish I could experience the sound, the atmosphere, the life of this game for the first time again. Truly one of the most incredible and underrated works of art I've ever been able to witness.
I really tried, but unfortunately I didn't care about this game, I like bigger than life stories, interwoven narratives and such, but it was too convoluted for me to care or even understand half of what happened in this game. I think some of the dialogues are really well written, poetic and as you say, you sometimes don't even have to understand them to relate to them in some way, in that regard it was kinda cool. But the story was just sooo drawn out, so confusing when it really didn't need to be, I feel like. Some of the bigger scenes were beautifully presented, and music was great too. In the end, this game raised too many questions without answering them, and when it did, it was anti-climactic or irrelevant, and the pacing made me sleepy too many times lol
Hey, Love the podcast. I've been listening to it for a while now and it is my go to game podcast. Keep up the good work, and I was wondering if you have played black myth wukong?
@@GamingInTheWild I currently only have a Nintendo switch but plan to get a ps5 to play it soon. I have heard great things about the game and hope to play it right away. I am also looking forward to playing Stray, Ghost Of Tsushima, and others. By the way, about a year ago you did an episode on Meg's Monster. Great game!
Arco looks really interesting, I think the combination of genre, setting and art style is quite uncommon. Creatures of Ava might be one to keep in mind if I'm more in the mood for something cozy again.
Haha funnily enough I speak much much slower on the podcast and I really have to try to hit this pace - but my RU-vid experiments have shown that people keep watching if you jabber this way! Thanks for the feedback, I'll take my foot off the gas a bit next time. This is my more normal podcast cadence: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-E8WjmdcPLpQ.htmlsi=xXCoV_aLMeW-2DA1
It's only in early access (edit: also definitely not under the radar lol, but it is indie), but Fields of Mistria dropped earlier this month and it's so much fun! I feel like we've gotten a lot of farming sims in the last few years that promise a lot but come out undercooked, but even in EA Fields of Mistria already feels pretty complete (for what's there at least -- some elements clearly aren't there yet). I can't wait to see it keep developing, and even now I've already dropped about 15 hours in it :)
I really appreciate the fact that you mention the game name at the end of the section! I have a big problem with losing track of what game people are talking about in most videos. They mention it at the start then never say the name again, and instead just say “this game” or something similar from that point. Thank you! 🙏
I played Thank Goodness You're Here. It's an amazing game, and I can't wait to play it again. As for the other games, One Button Bosses is already on my list, and Phantom Spark looks cool. Just added it to my Wishlist
my main criticism of the game is like you said the Orchard as well but also the "translation" to video game. its almost like the video game equivalent of "outsider art" mainly because their strengths are just so clearly in performance art, visuals, writing, etc. so basically everywhere but making a video game with a satisfying gameplay loop. a lot of these visual novel/walking sim games are already like this even from studios that do know how to create games with a gameplay loop so im certainly not saying it should be more like a typical game but experience making games would have made things like the Orchard stand out more as needed development attention. A game that very much succeeded in this is Firewatch if you want an example of what i mean. So, my point being that the game is a masterpiece of storytelling and their next project should be even better now that they have these experience. I hope they continue on with game development because they have something very special.
@@nothingisawesome yeah. I don't think every game needs a loop, Kentucky Route Zero is one of my favourite games ever and it's very much an A-B journey :)
Even the smoothest move is stressful, so I hope it was the best it could be. Re: new job, are you still in Iceland? (just curious) As for this month's releases, three of my usual, very-indie, titles that caught my eye: the delightfully janky-looking _Monster Run,_ the very odd-looking interactive fiction _Russian Psychiatric Pastoral,_ and mostly on the strength of the fun art style/animation _Dextrissimi._
@@the_elder_gamer thanks. yeah, still in Iceland! I talk about it about more on the new audio pod - not sure I'll keep uploading them here, they kinda tanked the channel's stats!
Error acknowledgement: I FORGOT TO INCLUDE PHANTOM SPARK, MY GAME OF THE MONTH. Farewell North is the 15th not the 13th. PlayStation 5 is not prounced Play-Ess-Five.
i genuinely do not have the words to describe the impact this game has had on me. everything about it is beautiful and meaningful in some way or another. i stayed up till 4am because after i picked this game back up i couldn't put it down until i was completely done and that is a massive deal for me. i didn't cry, but oh my stars am i feeling things. i cant be normal after experiencing something so utterly beautiful like i have with this game. experiences like this are the reason i live, and everyday i live after this one i spend thinking about this game i will be thanking the developers from the bottom of my heart for creating something so genuinely amazing, and i can guarantee this wont leave my mind for years to come. hekki grace. Edit: I was so caught up in the emotions I forgot to thank you for the video Thanks so much for the video and the interview! I've been dying for more content for this game
@@joppa-recoiler yeah it is! Only a dollar a month though :) I think it works as a step to make sure everyone wants to be there if you know what I mean
Absolutely wonderul overview of the game. Just picked it up to play on the Deck. You've got an incredibly relaxing narration voice. I loved the pacing and calmness of this video, can tell you were very immersed in this game's offerings.
This comment section of new eyes and smiles makes me glow. I already knew about at least half of these, but I'm super thrilled that everyone else here gets to know about them too!
