WILL: FOLLOW THE LIGHT

Alone against the elements in this unconventional walking sim

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Set foot on the breathtaking Nordic isles of Will: Follow The Light with any preconceptions and you're in for a surprise — at least if those preconceptions are formed thanks to the game's own trailers or its Steam page, where a handful of firstperson screenshots are coupled with a deliberately cryptic synopsis. The expansive, desolate vistas and the main character's propensity for inner monologue seem pretty conclusive. As we fidget with the winches, manually hoist the sails and gently nudge the tiller to steer our wave-battered yacht through a procession of flashing buoys at exhilarating speed, though, we can't help wondering: is TomorrowHead's debut really a walking sim?

Tellingly, director and studio founder Roman Novikov cites none of the usual genre landmarks in his list of inspirations — there's no mention of Gone Home or Dear Esther. Instead, there's Hideo Kojima and survival horror. “Death Stranding was a huge influence for me personally,” he declares, “not just in terms of gameplay or visuals, but in the emotional space it occupies. The sense of loneliness, the weight of every step, the way the environment isn’t just a backdrop but an active part of your journey.” Alan Wake and