Neglect people, animals, extraterrestrials, or any kind of fantasy creature, in Double Tremendous’s Keeper, you play as a lighthouse — a dwelling, strolling lighthouse. Atmospheric puzzle-adventure Keeper, created by Lee Petty and Double Tremendous Productions, is among the many strangest video games showcased throughout Gamescom Opening Night time Reside.
Whereas the artsy visuals might have intrigued you, the teaser creates extra questions than it solutions. Why does the lighthouse awaken? The place is it going? And extra importantly, what kind of challenges will it run into? Following a preview at Gamescom, I can reply… properly, some of these questions.
This is the gist: Chook lands on lighthouse, lighthouse grows a bunch of legs, and collectively, fowl and constructing enter an odd world stuffed with bizarre critters and the occasional dwelling tree. That is mainly what Keeper entails.
At first of the preview, I nervous that this idea would possibly show a bit boring. I noticed the lighthouse strolling round, following a linear path, shining its gentle at critters to scare them away, and illuminating an overgrown tree-person to take away its roots, however the gameplay appeared a tad tame.
Then, although, the lighthouse began to select up objects, clear up puzzles, and even manipulate time, turning its fowl companion again into an egg. Issues had already began to get fairly trippy at this level, however then the lighthouse walked into a stunning, gentle grey valley stuffed with pink fluffy mist, unlocking the power to leap and float round like bouncy cotton sweet. Oh, and there was additionally a flying whale.
Whereas actually not devoid of life, what stands out most about Keeper is the shortage of people. Impressed by the COVID-19 pandemic, developer Lee Petty, with nothing to do however hike in nature, dreamed up a world with no folks in any respect. No folks means no phrases, which brings us to the second factor that stands out: Keeper feels awfully serene. If you wish to know what is going on on on this unusual realm, you’ll have to watch rigorously.
Meaning the narrative is not as in your face as extra conventional video games with dialogue.
Tim Schafer, founding father of Double Tremendous Productions, confirms this: “The story is open to interpretation,” he mentioned. “It facilities across the bond between the lighthouse and the fowl, and the way that character relationship develops.” A little bit of thriller, such because the lighthouse’s sudden liveliness, will definitely stay.
I reckon Keeper’s success, and whether or not or not you must maintain it in your radar, will depend on whether or not its atmospheric design resonates with you. That mentioned, I’m 100% offered on a lighthouse being the protagonist — watching him hop round along with his fowl buddy is simply too cute.
Keeper is out Oct. 17 on Home windows PC and Xbox Sequence X. It is going to be obtainable by Recreation Go.
