2017 was a hell of a year for video games. In 12 short months, gamers not only saw Nintendo return to greatness with the double whammy of Breath of The Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, but they were also treated to refreshingly innovative new gaming experiences like Nier: Automata.
Yet, despite many of the biggest publishers bringing their A-game, 2017 was also the year that indie gaming really pushed the boundaries of interactive entertainment. With breakout hits like PUBG turning the industry on its head, Hellblade using interactive entertainment to explore psychosis, and the long-awaited Cuphead finally seeing the light of day, it was a great 12 months for the little guys in gaming too.
Yet, while the likes of Cuphead really captured the imagination of the mainstream, it was the haunting slow burner What Remains Of Edith Finch that really raised the bar for storytelling in gaming.
It has impressed and moved thousands of players, feeling the closest gaming’s come to capturing the essence of a good novel. Despite What Remains Of Edith Finch being a brilliant experience, few expected it to beat the likes of Zelda for best game at this year’s BAFTAS. Somehow though, against all odds – that’s exactly what it did.
Grabbing the game’s starstruck creators on the red carpet, we found out how this understated masterpiece came about – and even got a hint at what’s coming next from the BAFTA-winning team. With the game starting life as a scuba diving simulator and inspired by the likes of Neil Gaiman and Stanley Kubrick, this ambitious story effortlessly melds together a collection of short stories, each with their own distinct art style and unique mechanics.
If you haven’t played it already, the game is now on sale on Humble bundle — so now’s the time to make that right. You can check out the full interview with Ian Dallas and Joshua Sarfaty — the game’s creative and technical directors — above.
