Artifact Analysis - "Spiritfarer"
As Crymson Pleasure(2020) pointed out, "This game never stops giving either. I actually learned my own valuable life lessons and I am far from finished playing the game and I will walk away from it with far more than I expected or hoped for. " Developed by Thunder Lotus Games, "Spiritfarer" has captivated me by its unique approach to themes of death and the afterlife, a fusion of adventure and management wrapped in a touching narrative. This game has given me abundant inspiration for my own project, "Eternal Flame."
In terms of cultural content, "Spiritfarer" draws on Greek mythology, particularly the tale of the river Styx and Charon, the ferryman of the dead. In the game, Stella, along with her cat Daffodil, replaces Charon, guiding spirits to the afterlife aboard her boat. The game focuses more on the journey after death, rather than the act of dying itself, offering a unique perspective on this mythological narrative. (Nicole Carpenter,2020) This innovative gameplay mechanic resonates with me, and it emphasizes how the game creates a nurturing space around a theme as subtle as death.
Visually, "Spiritfarer" is a feast for the eyes with its hand-drawn art and soothing color palette. The whimsical character designs and serene atmosphere set by the art inspired me to envision a similar balance of beauty and narrative depth for "Eternal Flame’s" environments.
(Thunder Lotus Games, 2021)
Moreover, I admired "Spiritfarer's" cultural and ethical sensitivity in handling the subject of death. People probably taboo death, but the truth is everyone will end their life due to age, illness, or other reasons. As a sandbox video game, integrating these sober contents with entertainment is an extremely essential part for the development team to consider. Heussner et al. (2015) in "The Game Narrative Toolbox" highlight the importance of players feeling that their actions significantly influence the narrative, suggesting that without player involvement, the story may change or not unfold at all. This game just certifies that. For example, players are allowed to hug NPCs during the gameplay which enhances the sense of immersion. After the entire experience of the game, the existing feeling of each player is a touch of death, not fear itself.
In conclusion, my analysis of "Spiritfarer" reinforced my belief in the potential of games to be both entertaining and emotionally profound. The game stands as an exemplary model in narrative development, ethical game design, and artistic storytelling, elements that I'm excited to explore in "Eternal Flame."
Bibliography:
Crymson Pleasure. (2020). Spiritfarer Review. [online] Available at: https://realwomenofgaming.com/2020/11/09/spiritfarer-review/ [Accessed 26 Dec. 2023].
Heussner, Tobias, et al. (2015).The Game Narrative Toolbox, CRC Press LLC. [online] Available at: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/herts/detail.action?docID=3569284.[Accessed 26 Dec. 2023].
Nicole Carpenter. (2020). Video games revel in death, Spiritfarer focuses on what happens next. [online] Available at: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/8/18/21373518/spiritfarer-review-release-date-switch-pc-ps4-xbox-one-thunder-lotus [Accessed 26 Dec. 2023].
Thunder Lotus Games. (2021). Learn how to say goodbye. [image] Available at: https://thunderlotusgames.com/spiritfarer/ [Accessed 26 Dec. 2023].
