Summary
- Release Year: 2015
- Genres: Adventure
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4
- Developers: The Chinese Room
- Publishers: Sony Computer Entertainment
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture: A Haunting and Poignant Exploration of Loss and Absence
Deep within the Shropshire countryside, the village of Yaughton stands empty. Toys lie forgotten in the playground, the wind blows quarantine leaflets around the silent churchyard. Down on Appleton’s farm, crops rustle untended. The birds lie where they have fallen.
Strange voices haunt the radio waves as uncollected washing hangs listlessly on the line. The televisions are tuned to vacant channels. Above it all, the telescopes of the Observatory point out at dead stars and endless darkness. And someone remains behind, to try and unravel the mystery.
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a first-person exploration game from The Chinese Room, the award-winning developers of Dear Esther. It is a game about loss, absence, and the search for meaning in the face of the unknown.
A World Suspended in Time
The player takes on the role of an unnamed protagonist who arrives in Yaughton Valley to find it deserted. The villagers have vanished without a trace, leaving behind only their belongings and the faint echoes of their lives.
As the player explores the village, they will piece together the mystery of what happened to the villagers through fragments of conversations, diary entries, and other environmental clues. They will learn about the strange events that led up to the rapture, and the impact it had on the community.
The game’s world is incredibly detailed and atmospheric. The developers have created a living, breathing village that feels both familiar and alien. The player can explore every nook and cranny of Yaughton, from the abandoned homes to the bustling pubs.
The game’s use of sound is also masterful. The player will hear the wind whistling through the trees, the birds singing in the distance, and the faint hum of electricity. These sounds create a sense of unease and isolation, and they help to draw the player into the game’s world.
A Haunting and Poignant Story
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a haunting and poignant story about loss and absence. The game explores the different ways that people deal with grief and loss, and it asks the player to question what it means to be human.
The game’s characters are all well-developed and relatable. The player will feel a connection to these characters, and they will be invested in their stories. The game’s ending is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and it will stay with the player long after they finish playing.
A Must-Play for Fans of Exploration Games and Narrative-Driven Experiences
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a must-play for fans of exploration games and narrative-driven experiences. It is a beautiful, haunting, and thought-provoking game that will stay with the player long after they finish playing.
Key Features
- Explore a deserted English village and uncover the mystery of what happened to its inhabitants.
- Piece together the story through fragments of conversations, diary entries, and other environmental clues.
- Experience a rich and atmospheric world that feels both familiar and alien.
- Engage with well-developed and relatable characters.
- Question what it means to be human in the face of loss and absence.
Awards and Accolades
- BAFTA Games Award for Best British Game
- Golden Joystick Award for Best Original Game
- The Game Awards for Best Narrative
- SXSW Gaming Award for Excellence in Narrative
Conclusion
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a masterpiece of interactive storytelling. It is a game that will stay with the player long after they finish playing. If you are a fan of exploration games or narrative-driven experiences, then you owe it to yourself to check out Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
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