Benign Land

For an immersive walking simulator the walking felt unconstrained by it's genre, In the early areas I felt like a camera operator flying through massive green landscapes, trying to capture the vastness of it all. But when the spaces became more man made I felt like a humble tourist, trying my best not to disturb the area. The sound was incredible, and I found myself trying to decipher the meanings of the noises interwoven in the oppressive horns and drums. And the lighting felt like a freecam Alan Wake 2, trying to capture cinematic moments. As someone with NO idea what the Troubles were and what the consequences were of that incident. I felt immersed in a new perspective that challenged my ideas of what Ireland could represent. Give it a try!

You don't often get the chance to walk through a nightmare while fully awake, yet that's how I would describe this experience. The vagueness of your vision, the feeling that you don't really know what's going on, the symbolic imagery from your daily life coming back to haunt you. Of course, this imagery is not from my daily life life -- I didn't live through the Troubles -- which makes Benign Land a unique opportunity to experience someone else's nightmare.

If you have to tell what your story is about, you're probably not telling it very well. Game claims to be about about Ireland's history and culture but focuses on just a selective few modern parts. Story is 'told' through a series of intentionally blurred scenes where controls have been made to behave as though you are swimming in syrup. You have to walk towards a light cone and when you reach it, a new scene starts. This is artsy in the 'if we make the photo black and white and out of focus, it is art' kind of way. Graphics look like someone who just learned about 3D graphics (yay light!), there are texture mistakes like puddles on a 30 degree slope, there are invisible walls that can mess you up, it is full of high school like symbolism, and the scripted parts worked directly against an immersive experience. Music is very monotonous but that is kinda OK. All in all I was bored and just wanted it to be over, but at least it's free - oh wait, it's not (maybe it should be).

When i started the game i thought there was a cut scene playing for a bit so i just waited there. The camera when you look around is very weird as it's not in time with your mouse movement and lags behind a bit. If there is story in the beginning of the game i don't understand it as it may be a little too subtle as i didn't understand it at all. For people that do understand i believe they'll sensitive and/or love the game but for people who don't understand may need a history lesson. I'm one of them. the game looks beautiful but i give the game a 5/10 as a neutral score because i understand you need the knowledge to enjoy the game.

UP THE RA

I really enjoyed this immersive experience. The visuals and the soundscape are mesmerizing, and the controls are elegant. Knowing it was originally part of a larger exposition provides a bit of needed context. It made me think deeper about the scenes presented here - silent, solemn landscapes that offer an impressive sense of place. Initially these environments are almost timeless, more mythical than real. But at some point the scenery becomes much more relatable, and at the same time oppressing. History looms over you, humbled visitor, wordlessly asking you profound questions. Definitely one of the more artistic experiences on Steam. Recommended.

An atmospheric, ethereal piece with minimal interaction with the environment. Reminded me of interactive experiences one might find in a museum, in terms of it demanding your attention, requiring you to follow its pace and with a confidence and ability to hypnotise & pull you deep into it. The environments you are walking through are breathtaking, and stumbling and gliding among them was a super interesting experience.