Summary
- Release Year: 2014
- Genres: Adventure, Puzzle
- Platforms: Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
Invisible Parties (2014): A Textual Adventure to the Geometry of Romance
Invisible Parties is a 2014 interactive fiction game by Christine Love. It is a text-based adventure game with minimalist graphics, in which the player takes on the role of a young woman named Tara exploring the strange and surreal world of a city called Polygon.
The game is notable for its unique and innovative use of language, which creates a dreamlike and disorienting atmosphere. The player is often presented with multiple choices, but the consequences of these choices are not always immediately clear. This forces the player to think carefully about their actions and to pay close attention to the details of the world around them.
Invisible Parties is also notable for its exploration of complex themes such as love, loss, and identity. The game presents a variety of different perspectives on these themes, and it is up to the player to decide what they believe.
Gameplay
Invisible Parties is played from a first-person perspective. The player controls Tara as she explores the city of Polygon. The game world is presented in a minimalist style, with simple geometric shapes and limited colors.
Tara can interact with the world around her by examining objects, talking to other characters, and making choices. The choices that Tara makes will affect the course of the game, and there are multiple possible endings.
Setting
Invisible Parties is set in a strange and surreal city called Polygon. The city is made up of simple geometric shapes and limited colors. The buildings are all identical, and there are no visible people or animals.
Tara is the only human character in the game. She is a young woman who has come to Polygon in search of her missing sister. As she explores the city, she begins to learn more about its strange inhabitants and the secrets that it holds.
Characters
The only human character in Invisible Parties is Tara. She is a young woman who has come to Polygon in search of her missing sister. Tara is a strong and independent woman, but she is also vulnerable and lost. She is determined to find her sister, but she is also unsure of what she will find when she does.
In addition to Tara, there are a number of other characters in Invisible Parties. These characters are all strange and surreal, and they often represent different aspects of Tara’s own personality.
- The Faceless Man is a mysterious figure who appears to Tara throughout the game. He is always wearing a mask, and he never speaks. The Faceless Man represents Tara’s own fears and insecurities.
- The Red Woman is a seductive and dangerous figure who represents Tara’s desires. She is always trying to tempt Tara away from her path.
- The Blue Man is a wise and enigmatic figure who represents Tara’s conscience. He is always trying to guide Tara towards the right path.
Themes
Invisible Parties explores a variety of complex themes, including love, loss, and identity. The game presents a variety of different perspectives on these themes, and it is up to the player to decide what they believe.
- Love is a central theme in Invisible Parties. The game explores the different types of love, including romantic love, familial love, and self-love. The game also explores the challenges of love, such as heartbreak and loss.
- Loss is another major theme in Invisible Parties. The game explores the different types of loss, including the loss of a loved one, the loss of a dream, and the loss of oneself. The game also explores the ways in which people can cope with loss.
- Identity is a third major theme in Invisible Parties. The game explores the different ways in which people construct their identities. The game also explores the challenges of identity, such as the struggle to be true to oneself.
Reception
Invisible Parties received critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its unique and innovative gameplay, its exploration of complex themes, and its minimalist art style. The game was also nominated for several awards, including the Independent Games Festival Award for Excellence in Narrative.
Invisible Parties is a challenging and thought-provoking game that explores complex themes such as love, loss, and identity. The game’s unique and innovative gameplay, its exploration of complex themes, and its minimalist art style make it a must-play for fans of interactive fiction.
Review Score
8/10
