Tangible Symbols
Also, much like the Velveteen Rabbit or Edward from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DeCamillo, people often find a connection with pieces that reflect child-like wonder or bring us back to that time. These objects are inanimate, but the journey gives them life and personality we would not see otherwise.
Consider your own childhood; growing up, many children take to a toy or a blanket that provides comfort. These items remain special to us, even after we stop using them. While each of us has a connection with a certain item, it is not the same for everyone. Really, it is a small part of our life that provides us solace when it seems like our world is collapsing. At times, we may seem so insignificant – like when Yarny is so simply swept up by a crow or weighed down by water, but there are many wonders to be found and even at the bleakest points, Yarny finds a way to lift himself up.
Unravel the Scene
Each level reflects a memory. This game has some of the most incredible graphics I’ve ever seen in a game, and there is good reason for it. We are reliving these memories through Yarny. When recalling a memory, there is always a little uncertainty that our recollection is at all we imagined it to be. We recall our memories so vividly and our brains fill in the gaps. We will remember the visual parts as crisply as we think they were, though the real memory may not match it.
The scenes in Unravel have a life of their own, whether Yarny is walking a forest path, exploring an old car shop, or facing a terrible snow storm. The scenery builds upon the mood in every chapter, setting the tone without having to say a word. We feel the lighthearted joy of a fun winter’s day, while moments later we can feel its bone-chilling clutches. Each scene captures the tone and development of the story in the simple touches in the sparkle in the water or the gray sky.
While the vivid visuals give us a sense of tone, the music, too, tells a story. It guides gamers through tense moments and carefree exploration intensifying each second of game play. Both mediums capture scenes of sorrow, happiness, and mournful woe. It couples well with the crisp imagery for a truly awe-inspiring game.
Fibers of Game Play
Unravel is exciting with its puzzle game play. There are plenty of head-scratching riddles for players to solve and many secrets to uncover. Players control Yarny as he searches for his memories and his only tool is the yarn he is made of. Players explore this vivid world building bridges, swinging from branches, and climbing obstacles to find the coveted knit piece.
The game is not without its dangers – while there are a few riddles that require some deep thought, others are time sensitive as Yarny must escape the threats in his tiny world. Sections can be downright brutal when a player is thrown down by a gopher or gets carried away by a wind gust. Even after all of the hardships, the discovery of that carefully crafted memento, those lovely knit keepsakes, make all of the trouble worth it as Yarny cradles it close. It is both challenging and exciting to traverse the different terrains and unfold the memories behind each piece.
Memories: Time and Space
This simple, yet beautiful game reminds us that life is full of memories and obstacles. As we live, we leave pieces of ourselves behind and face many trials. We dig and discover our own past experiences through items, pictures, and places. Unravel manages to exceed all expectations to tell a story that is personal, heartfelt, and worth more than a few tears.
