Release Date: June 5, 2018
An experimental, first-person adventure game created by Hollow Tree Games – an independent, Canadian developer. Shape of the World does not offer a plot as such; rather, it focuses on delivering a certain visual experience. The player takes on the role of a nameless traveler who introduces different changes to the world around along his way.
Shape of the World for PC, XONE and PS4 is an ephemeral, first-person adventure game requiring the player to explore a procedurally generated game world and observe it as it changes. The game received a crowd-funding support on Kickstarter and it was created by Hollow Tree Games - an independent Canadian studio founded by experienced gamemakers.
Shape of the World for PC, XONE and PS4 does not offer a plot as such - rather, the gameplay here delivers the player with a distinct visual experience. Assuming the role of a nameless traveller, the player explores the game world, which changes as an effect of one's presence. The changes are both passive (taking place simply as the player follows the designated path) and active. In the latter case, the player shapes the surroundings by giving different colors to places and deciding how much vegetation should there grow.
When revisiting in-game places the player has once been to, they can notice that for instance, trees grow in a completely different manner now. Additionally, special obelisks are scattered throughout the game world - the player is led to these objects by small spirits. Activating one such obelisk changes the scenery the player observes. Despite that, the player is not forced to follow the designated path. Instead, the game rewards the player for wandering off the beaten path and thinking on their own.
As an experimental product, Shape of the World for PC, XONE and PS4 offers unusual and relatively minimalistic visuals generated by the Unreal Engine 4. The game world combines contractual, grey objects and contours with bright colors, which adds a layer of artism to the experience playing the game comes with. Thus this title aims to spark the interest of those searching for something new and original in gaming. Shape of the World offers an interesting visual experience accompanied by atmoshperic music.
Platforms:
PC Windows June 5, 2018
PlayStation 4 June 5, 2018
Xbox One June 6, 2018
Nintendo Switch June 6, 2018
PlayStation 5 July 13, 2021
Developer: Hollow Tree Games
Publisher: Dear Villagers / Plug in Digital / Playdius
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System Requirements for Shape of the World Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Dual Core 3.0 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 750 / Radeon R7 260X or better, 2 GB HDD, Windows 7 64-bit.
Recommended System Requirements:
Quad Core 2.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 3 GB GeForce GTX 780 / Radeon R9 290X or better, 2 GB HDD, Windows 7 64-bit.
Game Ratings for Shape of the World Video Game.
COGconnected: 55 / 100 by Jake Hill
It is certainly a pretty game. The minimalist polygon planes are very evocative, the sound design is lovely, and the abundant bloom lighting creates a mood. There's sort of a goal (get to the next triangle) and when you achieve it, the art style shifts. But I didn't really find it relaxing, I found it boring. And I never got over feeling perplexed.
PlayStation LifeStyle: 6 / 10 by Matthew Forde
Promising a world where you can get lost and yet find peace is a hard sell, though when everything falls into place, Shape of the World provides some noteworthy moments.
Nintendo Life: 7 / 10 by Ryan Craddock
Shape of the World is a very different offering on the Switch's eShop, and one that we are glad to have experienced despite its shortcomings. Describing it as a video game doesn't feel quite right; it's more of an interactive playground that lets you take a couple of hours out, switch off, and be treated to some thought-provoking aesthetics along the way. It's definitely not for everyone, and it's all over a little too quickly, but Shape of the World is a nicely put together piece of art that deserves the attention of those most intrigued.
Average score from votes.
![[0:41] trailer #1](https://cdn.gracza.pl/galeria/filmy/640x360/339800046.jpg)
