Developed by: Serenity Forge
Published by: Way Down Deep
Released: February 4, 2022 (PC & Switch)
Land of Screens has a caring narrative message that will remain relevant: make time to interact with each other in person and experience the moments as they occur. Developer Serenity Forge never comes out and directly says this. But each narrative vignette leads the characters in this direction. Land of Screens wants to remind us all that we should not get wrapped up in our online or social media presence. And that there are others around us longing for connection and meaning.
Rarely, is a game review focused on the message a game is trying to convey. However, this is Land of Screens’ goal as an experience. To get players thinking about their family, friends, and others. Furthermore, Land of Screens encourages us all unplug from social media and technology and find fulfillment in the people and spaces around us.
Explore Around You
To convey this message, Land of Screens presents a number of situations for the main character, Holland. Holland and her significant other just posted their breakout on social media. To take her mind off of the social pressure and potential judgment, Holland sets off to visit old friends and family members. She attends a conference for work. Sees a concert (with a personal connection). And explores a nature preserve. Each of these settings requires Holland to solve some light logic puzzles to get everyone engaged with each other.
Sometimes this is as straightforward as introducing people with similar likes and interests. Other times, Holland needs to resolve one puzzle before an action opens up to resolve another. Each of these is a narrative exercise in connecting characters and opening up dialog. While these interactions are satisfying, they quickly become routine. Land of Screens does not have any fail states or branching dialog. Consequently, the narrative is linear and provides little reason to return to see other story choices.
However, that lack of replay may be intentional. For a game about getting the main character off her screen and interacting with others, Serenity Forge wants the same for the players. Experience the game and take the message to heart.
Storybook Imagary
Land of Screens’ artstyle feels pulled out of a children’s story. Consequently, character models have over-emphasized facial or physical aspects for differentiation. The side characters all have individual color pallets which assist in distinguishing each character. The game conveys Holland’s body tension and anxiety through screen blurring and discolorization. As the story progress, and Holland’s anxiety over the breakup decreases so too does the visual representation of that tension in the game.
Narrative Limitations & Lingering Meaning
The lack of dialog choice and branching paths initially narrowed the scope. However, it allows the developers to tell the story they intended. Land of Screens is a brief tale that lingered with me the week after finishing it. I set down my Switch. Looked around my house and sought out my family. It is easy for each of us to get wrapped up in our perceptions. It is convenient to cope with our struggles by investing in online communities. Sometimes these efforts can be rewarding, but Land of Screens asks us to consider those around us. Make a personal connection with someone. And take time to enjoy the world around you.