11 bit studios, known for their grim game Frostpunk, have partnered with Chibig and Inverge Studios to produce a new fantasy game titled Creatures Of Ava. Co-written by Rhianna Pratchett, it notably diverges from their usual work, presenting a non-violent storyline focused on rescuing Pokémon-like creatures from a life-threatening infection. The game aims to explore rarely-addressed gaming narratives, particularly the ‘savior complex’ and post-colonialism themes.
In Creatures Of Ava, players interact with creatures through playing a flute, taking photographs, and partaking in platforming challenges. The flute play appears to cleanse the creatures from their ailment. As seen in the trailer, creature collection doesn’t seem to be the focus of the game, but more information is awaited. The scenes include a player-controlled parrot flying over a picturesque town, and characters forming bonds using the flute.
Despite the unique gameplay and narratives portrayed, concerns arise about the game revisiting overused save-the-planet themes found in games like Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, Abzu, and others. Yet, with its promise of exploring deeper themes such as the ‘savior complex’ and post-colonialism, many are hopeful that Creatures Of Ava will bring something fresh to the table. As the launch later this year approaches, anticipation continues to build for this much-awaited title.
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