TAKING FLIGHT

A world-first hands-on with Jett: The Far Shore, as Superbrothers’ sci-fi adventure prepares for lift-off

- CHRIS SCHILLING

The pull of the unknown is powerful indeed. But the excitement of setting off on a new adventure is often tinged with sadness: every departure means leaving something, or someone, behind. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where that could be more pronounced than a journey into space, not least when it’s clear the goodbye is going to be permanent. The new game from Sword & Sworcery creator Superbrothers, made in collaboration with Pine Scented Software, hits you with that just a minute or two in. Looking through the eyes of protagonist Mei, you step out of a yurt to a sea of faces, at once sombre yet expectant, all looking directly at you. Beyond mum, dad and older sister lies the low-altitude vehicle of the title, the one you will pilot for much of your journey. The urge to start your journey is strong. But you’re also made to feel the wrench of leaving.

Then you clamber up a ladder into the cockpit and it feels as if a weight has been lifted. Your diminutive Jett is an incredibly nippy and agile craft, as you soon discover during a training exercise which lets you get to grips with its handling before you head for the cosmodrome from where you leave your cradle world behind.