I am very pleased to see how well the Ukrainian gaming industry is developing, from high-budget titles to small indie projects, among which you can find really interesting games. I want to introduce you to one of them today. Titan Chaser is an atmospheric walking (or rather, driving, but more on that later) simulation game created by Ukrainian developer Stas Shostak, who is helping defend Ukraine from the Russian invaders.
At first glance, the game, with its mysterious hazy setting, vaguely reminded me of Alan Wake, but in fact, the developer was more likely inspired by Shadow of the Colossus, which made me very happy. So, I eagerly sat down to play through the game and am ready to share my impressions.
In many indie games, the plot is not the most important thing because the main thing is the gameplay. However, Titan Chaser’s story is quite extraordinary. We are not particularly immersed in the details of what is happening in this world, but we play as a titan chaser who drives around the neighborhood at night in her car equipped with a searchlight, looking for the very same titans. These gigantic creatures are not a direct threat, but due to their size, they can accidentally harm people or buildings. So, while they are walking around in spacious locations, the protagonist’s task is to find and drive them as far away from the infrastructure as possible. While everything is more or less clear with the kind but clumsy giants, the heroine remains quite mysterious to us. However, you can learn some details about her during the gameplay: she will comment and explain certain key points that will help you to create her portrait. So, we’ve gone over the plot a bit and now it’s time to move on to the gameplay.
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The game’s mechanics are straightforward: you get in a car and go on a “night hunt.” In fact, this is a walking simulator, but here it is realized in the form of car rides. Our vehicle has a searchlight that will lure or scare away creatures. After familiarizing yourself with the current task, you can search for where our target is located. You will have to follow the hints because the map in the game is not interactive and will not show your movement around the area. Therefore, you need to carefully check the map and the signs to avoid getting lost or stuck somewhere along the way, not knowing which direction to move on. In fact, it’s not very difficult; you need to give yourself some time to get used to this mechanic, and then you start to navigate much faster. The game is very meditative, as if you’re immersed in a noirish alternative universe where titans can walk the fields and wyverns can fly through the sky, but you still have to do your nightly routine. I can say that I did it with pleasure, especially with good music.
I have to admit that I generally like games and movies that take place at night. Especially when the world around them is thoughtfully designed and with attention to detail. That’s exactly what the setting in Titan Chaser is like mysterious, somewhat gloomy, but incredibly atmospheric. It is created by the very details I mentioned: for example, the light of neon lights drowning in the fog, the northern lights, a night motel, and the few gas stations that we meet on our way. All of this combines to create a stylish, interesting, and mystical world that you want to explore. The titans themselves are particularly noteworthy: they represent various creatures and animals, such as a whale floating in the sky or a pterodactyl-like wyvern. When you suddenly notice them in the dark, this picture is simply breathtaking!
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In my opinion, music is a crucial element of any game. I always pay attention to it and evaluate how well it fits and emphasizes the atmosphere. In this project, the music was chosen very carefully, with each song successfully creating the right suspense. You can listen to it by putting the cassette on the car radio. In addition to songs, there are also recordings of radio programs in which the host tells us about something in a soulful voice. That is, the sound perfectly complements the gameplay and sets you up for a thoughtful passage.
I liked Titan Chaser, so I can safely recommend it to those looking for a meditative indie game with a stylish and unusual setting. It’s a great way to relax after a hard week, which is exactly what I did. Besides, it’s an excellent opportunity to support a Ukrainian developer and contribute to the Ukrainian gaming industry.
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I like this!!!!