Asterism

Asterism reminds me of an art CD-ROM from the 1990s, when CD-ROMs were considered “new media” and had their own section in book and software outlets – and if it had been released as such, would probably have gotten critical attention as a “significant new form.” It’s not exactly a game (although I’ve given up trying to define what is and isn’t a game). The Scottish developer, Claire Morwood, calls it “a playable indie-rock concept album set in outer space.” You play as Ruby, a scientist based in a lab on the sun in a solar system that is obviously not ours. Having spent years trying to decipher curious signals from planets within the system, she decides that she needs to visit each of them to learn more. So she embarks on her space ship, the Solar Flare, to do just that. Each planetary visit unlocks an alt-rock song, quite well done, but mostly fairly surreal in terms of lyrics (though one obviously refers to Brexit, and not in a happy way). The visuals – created by Morwood – are trippy and diverse, using claymation, drawn images, crochet, CGI, origami, photography and video – very diverse in terms of the media it utilizes. In essence, each planet offers a music video that references and dovetails with the theme of the song, but each one is very different from the others, and the graphics are at least as surreal as the music. Screenshot for Asterism 1 View all screenshots » Between each planet, there are messages from others from your home-base solar lab that advance the story; but really, this is about the music and the visuals that accompany the music, with narrative on the side. There are minigames in most sequences, often involving navigation through the music video landscape. One is a kind of no-risk shmup, another a rhythm game – but they’re fairly irrelevant in a way, permitting a degree of videogame-style interaction. You can, if you wish, totally ignore them and progress without engaging with them, simply listening to the music and observing the graphics. (Although there are some achievements for successfully completing the minigames). I often treated them as distractions, wanting to read the subtitles for the lyrics more than caring about whether I flew through the next hoop in the visuals, or hit the right buttons in the rhythm game. At the end of each song/level, you have a story bit, then “decode” the music to produce a painted image, and dispatch both the song and image to your home lab, then look through surrounding space to find the next planet to engage with. Screenshot for Asterism 2 View all screenshots » This is clearly Morwood’s vision and passion, though some others are credited; she wrote and performed the songs, and created the visuals, often with analog media like drawn art, clay models, and crochet. It’s a unique, and uniquely strange experience, and I don’t think “significant new form” is an exaggeration. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever encountered or played before, and I think that’s a good thing. That being said, if you’re looking for AAA graphics or a compelling narrative experience, look elsewhere; but if you’re looking for true innovation in indie games and an amazing personal passion project, this is pretty fantastic. I look to indie games for innovation, and am quite often disappointed; I don’t need to play another survival game or deck-building battler, thanks. Asterism is barely a game, but innovative for sure, and well worth your time if you’re willing to engage with an entrancingly dynamic art project. (Cross posted from my review here: https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/asterism)

more of a playable art exhibit than a game, but interesting and visually appealing. I liked it.

Asterism is a truly unique experience, it's handcrafted visuals make every level feel unique and the music and gameplay of each place we visit pulls you into its own world. The mystery at the heart of the game will hook you in from the start and forms the core of a beautiful story. If you like science fiction, cool art and great music you owe it to yourself to play Asterism

[table] [tr] [th]WHEN[/th] [td] There are mysterious sounds sweeping through the galaxy [/td] [/tr] [tr] [th]WHERE[/th] [td] Planet to planet, each unique and alien in their own beautiful ways [/td] [/tr] [tr] [th]WHO ARE YOU[/th] [td] Ruby, a cosmoteer sent in search or the source of these sounds ringing through the galaxy and within herself [/td] [/tr] [tr] [th]WHAT DO YOU DO[/th] [td] Take part in the art of discovery through an interactive art exhibit set in a rocking cyber solar system. Search for signals and navigate surreal landscapes into the unknown. Soar above the highest summits and delve the deepest depths; the sounds know the way. [/td] [/tr] [tr] [th]WHY IT'S WORTH PLAYING[/th] [td] The music isn’t to my taste and the pixels aren’t prettiest, but **** if it isn’t beautiful. Somebody made this and cared a lot when they did. Thanks for sharing it with us! [/td] [/tr] [/table]

half

Very, very avant-garde. Not for anyone expecting a conventional game. But it's a very beautiful, weird, sophisticated experience. The songs are haunting, the visuals a throwback to the early 90s, and the whole thing is quite unlike anything else you've played.