2016 has already been a big year for narrative games, with standouts like Firewatch and the entire output of Crows Crows Crows proving the versatility of games designed more around exploration than competition. Another potential addition to this list is the next release from publisher Adult Swim Games, known as Small Radios Big Televisions. Designed by Fire Face Corporation, a two developer team out of Canada that was previously known mainly for Game Jam experiments, Small Radios Big Televisions is a trippy journey into virtual worlds through very analog gateways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIH7723-ZcM
With a synthy soundtrack and enough video artifacting to rival late night Cinemax, Small Radios promises to be an intriguing dreamlike sojourn. Speaking of, the soundtrack is also available ahead of time over on Bandcamp. While you're there, you can also sample one track from the album in its entirety, and then play it a few more times and nod your head if you're anything like me. Either way, for anyone who is on a Windows Steam machine or PlayStation 4 and looking for a nice virtual trip, this could be just the ticket.
Quick Take
The Adult Swim pedigree brings back thoughts of Jazzpunk, while the overall design of what is shown in the trailer has parts of FEZ and Portal 2 mixed in with elements that prove that the game is very much doing its own thing. As someone who dips in and out of the genre, I'm very much picking up what this game is laying down, and I'm looking forward to reviewing the game as it nears release.What are your thoughts on narrative games? When was the last time you simulated walking in your living room or computer area? Why is synthwave the best music ever put to a cassette tape? Let us know in the comments below!
