The Unfinished Swan is an entirely unique game that is friendly for all ages.
Follow the tale of Monroe, a young boy recently orphaned, left only with the unfinished paintings that of his late mother. Discover his story by following the unfinished swan from one of the paintings into a new world. By painting your surroundings, Monroe discovers what is there. The adventure game is akin to finding your way through a huge maze.
|
| Beautiful architecture makes up the shapes seen most often |
The game begins as a blank white canvas, where you shoot black paintballs to paint the world around you. This reveals shrubbery, decorations, and eventually a pathway to the next area. Later levels introduce more colors and a deeper story, but the essential gameplay style of painting an empty canvas remains the same. Painting each area is necessary to find your way through the level, this is one of the many reasons it feels like a maze. Relatively simple puzzles accompany each level as Monroe learns the history of the world he has entered.
Controls are very simple: look around, move, paint and jump. This helps in making the game friendly for younger audiences since the difficulty is fairly easy. The graphics are also simple – you usually see blank canvas around you, or simple shapes standing out of the white. Beautiful architecture makes up the shapes seen most often – and often times Monroe only sees the buildings from afar. Rarely does the game show Monroe himself or any other character. The unfinished swan is seen occasionally, just long enough for Monroe to see which direction he needs to head next. The sounds that accompany Monroe’s adventure are ominous and mysterious. They compliment Monroe’s actions but there aren’t any songs that play throughout.
The plot of the story is revealed through pages of text that are uncovered throughout the world. Each page explains a part of the world’s history, and the specific area that Monroe is discovering. It explains exactly why the world is the way it is, and also helps Monroe to discover what led him there. The story is simple, easy to follow and touching.
A narrator reads aloud the story as pages are revealed, eventually the moral is revealed, “life is the journey you make it.” – it’s not about what happens in the end but what you did along the way. The moral is also introduced through an interesting twist – which is revealed by playing the final mission of the game.
|
| By painting your surroundings, Monroe discovers what is there |
Rated E10+, this game is definitely family friendly – although it can be disorienting for those watching who are not playing. Because the world is revealed through painting certain areas, the player controls what is being painted and where. This often means quickly spinning in circles to see what is around you. As an onlooker, you may not be expecting the sudden movements or nauseating spinning which can lead to watchers becoming dizzy. Other than this side effect for onlookers, the game is friendly for younger audiences playing or watching.
The collectibles that can be found in this world consist of colored balloons, which are used to buy toys. Toys that can be unlocked include a hose (shoot paintballs ridiculously fast), a balloon finder, and other items useful in replaying different missions.
There are only 4 chapters throughout this game, making for a short playthrough. Each chapter has its own style, however, and because of the collectibles that can be found, it makes for a replayable game.
The Unfinished Swan is available on the PlayStation Network, downloadable for $14.99. For a unique gameplay experience that is cute and fun for all ages, The Unfinished Swan is a splendid choice.