Not having to cater to the wishes of a AAA publisher aiming to appeal to a wide audience allows indie developers to explore a wide range of gameplay styles and subject matter. The interactive art piece represents a style of game that has become relatively popular within the indie scene. These kinds of games typically sacrifice gameplay depth or complexity to offer a compelling visual and auditory journey that seeks to convey a message. Fans of these art house games have more to look forward to in the future, as publisher Annapurna Interactive recently revealed an “interactive poem” called A Memoir Blue.
The trailer for A Memoir Blue already leaves a strong first impression thanks to its distinct blend of visual styles. Although the game renders the world and main character in three dimensions, it conveys the main character’s memories through a clean, hand-drawn aesthetic. Scenes contain plenty of abstract imagery for players to decipher, much of it involving underwater settings or submerged urban locations.
A personal journey
According to the Steam page, A Memoir Blue follows the story of a champion swimmer named Miriam, who went through a “turbulent childhood” and had a “complicated relationship she shared with her devoted mother.” While Miriam “swims into the depths of her memories,” players discover a story that “blends sacrifice and heartbreak with victory and pride as she reconnects with her inner child and deepens the love she shares with her mother.”
While the “interactive poem” premise will not appeal to everyone, A Memoir Blue definitely seems like a heartfelt journey that anyone with an interest in minimalism and the abstract will get a kick out of. Annapurna Interactive has not yet revealed a release date for the game, so those interested in trying it out may have to wait a while before diving in.
