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In a world where gaming allows us to discard inventory items with just a click and lives are abundant, loss in gaming has lost its impact. However, there are two new titles that handle bereavement and disappearance in unique ways, bringing back the narrative touchpoint of loss.
One of these titles is Dordogne, which introduces us to Mimi, a French thirtysomething who, in the same week, loses both her job and her grandmother, Nora. Nora leaves behind a box of shared memories in her house in the Dordogne, a place that Mimi has visited but cannot remember due to mysterious memory loss before her 13th birthday. Against her father’s wishes, Mimi embarks on a journey to find the box before the house is sold. As the game progresses, players, as Mimi, gradually recall the relationship with their grandmother and create new memories along the way. The game encourages emotional processing and sharing, while the gameplay focuses on small details and interactive elements. With its stunning blend of 3D animation and watercolor backdrops, Dordogne immerses players in nostalgia, evoking a sense of childhood and the loss of innocence that comes with adulthood.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is set in a dystopian near-future, where Polly returns to the fictional Mediterranean island of Atina after five years. Polly’s mother, Ursula, a poet with a strained relationship with the emerging technocrats, has gone missing. However, Polly is soon transported to a parallel dimension called Reverie, where her name changes to Harmony. She encounters the Aspirations, dramatic personifications of dreams, who warn her about the impending destruction of both worlds. To prevent this, players utilize the Augural, a dialogue tree that allows glimpses into the near future. Choices must be made, balancing passion and pragmatism, truth and happiness. While the concept is intriguing, the limited paths and ambiguity of consequences can be frustrating. Nevertheless, Harmony explores the idea of personal narratives versus predetermined destinies.
Both Dordogne and Harmony exemplify the narrative potential of games, where players confront the consequences of their actions directly. These titles raise profound questions about the satisfaction of self-made fictions versus preconceived narratives. As one of the characters from Harmony puts it, the future is unpredictable, but our choices determine its course.
Don’t miss out on these captivating titles! Dordogne is available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Harmony: The Fall of Reverie can be played on Nintendo Switch and PC.
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