Glorious Escapism Roleplay

LenLenWearsBlue · Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 1059 Location: Under your bed.

I wasn't entirely sure where to put this, because it isn't really a visual novel. My friend and I were doing this thing we always do in college earlier where every Tuesday we will share something new that we like with each other, and this week she showed me this.

The Nightjar, developed by Somethin' Else Studios - is a "video game with no video" - there is no screen, it is a programme that manipulates the calibration of binaural sounds to immerse you in an environment. For lack of a better term, it sounds 3D. You require headphones to play, and most of the levels revolve around moving "towards" or "away from" a sound. It can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store for the iPhone 3GS onwards, the iPad and most newer versions of the iPod Touch.

The story of The Nightjar follows you - not an in-game avatar, you - as you are trapped upon a dying spaceship, circling a black hole, in all kinds of trouble as your friends have left you alone on the ship. Guided by a mysterious savior - the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch, oddly enough - you'll have to see with your ears to survive all that deep space has to throw at you.

I downloaded this when I got home and have been playing it since, it's a really immersive experience, especially when played with the volume high and the lights off. You'll need a good imagination to get the most out of it, but overall it is incredibly atmospheric - I'm really amazed at the mental images a few sounds can conjure up, and I've just had to take a break to write this because I've been scared shitless. It's very similar in feel to games like Dead Space, except far more immersive. Essentially, imagine living the Alien films.

For those of you who are in possession of headphones and interested in hearing the sound technology harnessed by The Nightjar but lack a suitable iProduct, here is a 15 minute gameplay trailer on Youtube.
It uses the same binaural technology, so you can hear everything properly.