Order Up!: Slow down (literally) with Areia
By Rae
When people think of video games, a lot of times they’ll gravitate toward high-energy, quick-paced action games. It’s not surprising – it’s definitely what I grew up with, anyway. But lately I’ve found myself wanting to explore more of the side of gaming that lets us calm down, explore, and experience art. Which is why when an email for Gilp Studios' Areia showed up in my inbox, I was excited to get in and explore.
Areia, made in the vein of games such as Journey, promisesa meditative, relaxing journey through emotional and spiritual growth. While itdraws heavily on Hinduism and Buddhism, there isn’t really a religious aspect,as much as simply a spiritual one – something the makers of Areia sought tomake sure that the game is relevant to any player.
Your main mechanic is building pathways. With the ability tocombine water and earth together to build temporary paths, the player has theability to build momentary bridges to great heights or across far distances.Each stage requires you to strategically look for where you can build a path, whereit will lead, and slowly make your way across the world.
Areia's landscapes are nothing short of breathtaking. Atfirst, it may seem claustrophobic and unwelcoming as you cross fields of glassshards against ferocious sandstorms. Soon, however, the world opens before you.The sands glitter beneath your feet while secrets sparkle brightly in thedistance, inviting you to come closer. The winds howl, and waterfalls trickle,and at some points a thunderstorm even opens up. Each new stage is gorgeouslydifferent from the last. These are places just begging to bediscovered.
Unfortunately, the controls almost punish the player fortrying to do so. In a strange twist of the usual, Areia has incrediblyintuitive controls and teaches you the few things you might not guess on yourown. Any player who’s touched a controller before could likely pick it up and understandhow to move and jump. But the intuitive controls aren’t enough to change thefact that the player character moves so slowly – particularly for a gamethat relies so heavily on platforming mechanics. It just doesn’t feel enjoyable– especially if you need to redo any section. You also can’t really explore theway the game promises – so many things are closed off to you and really youonly have your path to follow.
While the platforming sections are often a little bit of aslow struggle, the meditation puzzles are quite cathartic and simple enough towork out. I tended to look forward to finally reaching these sections so Icould enjoy the puzzle and make my way toward the next beautiful part of Areia’sworld. During these moments, I loved the game and wondered if perhaps I wasbeing a bit too nitpicky. But as soon as I was back to platforming my wayacross the next level, I felt the frustration all over again.
That said, the awkward speed and lack of fluidity are theonly things I really disliked about playing Areia. If you can ignore that (oraren’t bothered by it in the first place), you’ll find yourself taking ajourney through a lovely world. It gives you plenty of space and time to relaxand enjoy playing.
If you’re looking for a platformer with nice speed, or thefreedom of exploration, this might not be the best choice. If you’re lookingfor a meditative experience, traveling through an empty world at a relaxed pace,it might be worth checking out for you. For me, I found my feelings a littletoo mixed to enthusiastically recommend it, but it certainly is a wonder tolook at and listen to.
Order Up! is a weekly column featuring indie-focused reviews, news, or interviews! We like old games just as much as new ones and are always looking for something to check out. Have a game recommendation, a project, or a company you want to talk about? Email me at rae@thegeeklygrind.com or find me on Twitter @ArcanaChance