Summary
- Release Year: 2013
- Genres: Indie, Platform, Puzzle
- Platforms: Web browser
- Developers: Scriptwelder
400 Years: A Journey Through Time
400 Years is an experimental game developed by Michał Sałaban and released in 2013. The game is a unique and thought-provoking experience that explores the passage of time and the impact of human activity on the environment.
Gameplay
400 Years is a first-person exploration game. The player controls a character who walks through a landscape that changes over time. The landscape starts out as a lush forest, but over time it becomes increasingly barren and polluted. The player can interact with the environment in a limited way, such as picking up objects and moving them around.
The game is divided into four chapters, each of which represents a different era in the history of the landscape. The first chapter is set in the present day, and the player witnesses the effects of deforestation and pollution. The second chapter is set in the near future, and the player sees the landscape become even more barren and polluted. The third chapter is set in the distant future, and the player sees the landscape begin to recover from the damage that has been done to it. The fourth and final chapter is set in a time beyond human comprehension, and the player sees the landscape return to its natural state.
Themes
400 Years explores a number of themes, including the passage of time, the impact of human activity on the environment, and the resilience of nature. The game shows how human activity can have a devastating impact on the environment, but it also shows how nature can recover from even the most severe damage.
The game also explores the theme of time. The player sees the landscape change over time, and they are forced to confront the fact that everything changes, eventually. The game encourages the player to appreciate the beauty of the present moment, because it will not last forever.
Reception
400 Years received critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its unique gameplay, its beautiful visuals, and its thought-provoking themes. The game was nominated for a number of awards, including the Independent Games Festival Award for Excellence in Visual Art.
Legacy
400 Years is an important game in the history of video games. It is one of the first games to explore the theme of environmentalism, and it remains one of the most powerful and thought-provoking games on the subject. The game has inspired other games to explore similar themes, and it continues to be studied by scholars and game designers today.
Conclusion
400 Years is a must-play for anyone interested in experimental games, environmentalism, or the passage of time. It is a unique and thought-provoking experience that will stay with you long after you finish playing.
Review Score
8/10
