Canadian indie game studio orangutan matter has officially revealed Unleaving, a new puzzle-platformer arthouse game that weaves traditional art and painting techniques into its gameplay to tell a tragic, emotive story. orangutan matter will be debuting the game with a playable demo at PAX East later in March, as well as a new teaser trailer.
Watch the Unleaving reveal teaser below:
Unleaving is a unique puzzle-platformer where environments and Limbo-like gameplay elements unfold through painstakingly-created painting animations, the majority of which were drawn by hand. The gameplay involves interacting with and moving objects to solve puzzles and complete objectives in a given level, with dynamic environments that subtly transform using traditional art techniques.
The story of the game is centered around a child who has seen unspecified misfortune, pulled by the curiosity of childhood “into a surreal world challenging ideas of everything and nothing.” The child appears to have a missing eye, and the involvement of the famous Kuwaiti-Syrian artist Diala Brisly suggests that the game will deal with themes of war and its horrors, as well as emotional dissociation.
From the game’s Steam page (where it can be wishlisted now):
Who are you?
What are you doing here?
You are lost
Yet you are home
Do not falter
For you have returnedUNLEAVING is a thought provoking puzzle-platformer. Players will explore a surreal world brought to life with hand painted art using a unique painting-animation. The game puzzles and skill-based challenges are tightly knit into the story’s fabric allowing the players to emotionally immerse into the experience.
Through the gameplay featuring puzzles and skill-based challenges each tightly knit into the story’s fabric, players immerse themselves in the artistic experience with every decision.
Ultimately, Unleaving takes players on a journey through the bizarre nature of life’s mystery and illusion, and the surreal experience of death through a child’s eyes.