Chasing the Unseen

Chasing the Unseen is a third-person fantasy platformer released in March 2024 for Windows. Players explore surreal and bizarre landscapes, scaling colossal creatures and environments in a mysterious, visually captivating world. The gameplay focuses on the journey itself, leaving the narrative and overall purpose open to interpretation, drawing comparisons to titles like Shadow of the Colossus and Journey, but with mixed reception due to technical issues and a lack of clear direction.

Chasing the Unseen: Review

Chasing the Unseen, a 2024 indie title developed and published by Strange Shift Studio, presents a unique and challenging blend of exploration, platforming, and atmospheric immersion. While its fragmented narrative and occasionally frustrating difficulty may alienate some players, its striking visuals, inspired design, and ambitious scope firmly establish it as a noteworthy, albeit flawed, entry in the landscape of modern indie gaming. This review will delve into the game’s development, narrative, gameplay mechanics, artistic direction, reception, and legacy to comprehensively assess its overall impact and significance.

Development History & Context

Chasing the Unseen emerged from the vision of a solo developer at Strange Shift Studio. The game, released on March 7th, 2024 for Windows via Steam, benefited from participation in numerous indie game showcases and festivals, including Indie Cup Canada’23 (where it received three nominations), the Game Development World Championship, EGX LeftField, SXSW, and The Mix. This exposure generated significant pre-release buzz, including features on prominent gaming websites such as Eurogamer, IGN, Kotaku, and The Escapist, as well as a Reddit front-page appearance. The game’s development leveraged Unreal Engine 4, a powerful tool that facilitated the creation of its impressive, fractal-generated environments. However, the solo development likely contributed to some of the game’s reported technical shortcomings and inconsistencies, a challenge common to smaller independent projects with limited resources. The game’s release coincided with a surge in interest in atmospheric and introspective adventure titles, establishing a competitive yet receptive market for a title like Chasing the Unseen.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Chasing the Unseen largely eschews traditional narrative structures. The player assumes the role of a boy traversing a surreal, dreamlike world. The plot, if it can be called that, is minimal, prioritizing atmosphere and exploration over a cohesive storyline. The lack of dialogue and sparse textual clues encourages interpretation and emphasizes the player’s own emotional journey through the game’s abstract environments. The overarching narrative is arguably one of self-discovery, with the player’s progression through the game mirroring an internal struggle or quest for understanding. The colossal creatures, often passive but imposing, act as both obstacles and platforms, further enhancing the feeling of navigating an internal landscape. The randomly placed capybaras, while seemingly extraneous, subtly contribute to the game’s serene and somewhat whimsical tone, suggesting moments of peace amidst the challenge. While the game’s lack of explicit plot might be seen as a shortcoming by some, it aligns with its focus on immersive exploration and thematic resonance rather than a clearly defined narrative arc.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

The core gameplay loop centers on exploration and platforming. Players navigate the challenging fractal landscapes, scaling massive creatures and utilizing a parachute to traverse gaps and manage falls. The difficulty is notably high, with frequent plunges and a lack of a map posing significant challenges to player progression. While the respawn system is generous, the game’s punishing nature may prove frustrating to players seeking a more relaxed experience. The control scheme is reported as simple and accessible, prioritizing intuitiveness over complexity. The lack of combat entirely reinforces the game’s introspective nature, shifting the focus from adversarial engagement to skillful navigation and problem-solving. The climbing mechanics, while integral to the experience, appear to be a point of contention based on some reviews which mention confusing gameplay. The absence of a traditional map or explicit guidance contributes to the game’s mystique but can lead to a sense of disorientation and frustration.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Chasing the Unseen’s visual direction is its strongest asset. The environments, generated using fractal geometry, are visually stunning and truly unique. The surreal landscapes, massive creatures, and abstract shapes combine to create a captivating and memorable atmosphere. The color palette, while varied, generally leans towards a muted and dreamlike aesthetic, emphasizing the game’s introspective nature. The sound design complements the visuals, featuring an ambient soundtrack that heightens the feeling of serenity and unease in equal measure. The combination of visuals and audio creates a truly immersive and memorable experience that effectively communicates the game’s dreamlike setting and atmosphere.

Reception & Legacy

Upon its release, Chasing the Unseen received mixed reviews, primarily focusing on its challenging gameplay and enigmatic nature. Gaming Age gave it a 7/10, praising its intriguing premise while acknowledging its potential to frustrate players. Vandal Online offered a lower score of 5.8/10, criticizing the technical execution and lack of narrative clarity. Steam reviews similarly reflect this divided response, with a score around 60% positive. The game’s unique art style and ambitious design have been widely praised, but the unforgiving difficulty and lack of clear direction have prevented it from achieving widespread critical acclaim. It is likely too early to assess its lasting influence on the industry; however, its innovative approach to level design and world-building has the potential to inspire future indie developers exploring similar thematic and stylistic territory.

Conclusion

Chasing the Unseen is a bold and ambitious indie title that successfully creates a captivating and unique atmosphere. However, its unconventional design choices, particularly its high difficulty and lack of a clear narrative structure, will likely alienate a segment of players. While it falls short of being a universally acclaimed masterpiece, its artistic merit, unique mechanics, and willingness to experiment with conventional game design warrant recognition. Its place in video game history will likely be defined not by widespread commercial success, but by its influence on other developers who explore similarly ambitious and unconventional approaches to world-building, environmental storytelling, and player experience. For players who appreciate atmospheric exploration and challenging platforming, and who are willing to embrace ambiguity and frustration, Chasing the Unseen offers a rewarding and unforgettable journey.