Among the eccentric new IP unveiled at Sony’s presentation during last year’s Tokyo Game Show was Visiontrick Media’s Pavilion. Taking place in a unique, isometric world, the indie title is due for release across PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita later in 2014, and today the studio unveiled some new footage for the unique platformer.
Speaking with PlayStation Blog, the studio’s co-founder Henrik Flink described the essence of the game:
“[Pavilion] throws you directly into its mysterious world without any text tutorials or beginning explanations. It is a puzzle game portrayed through exploration and audio-visual imagery. By interacting and observing you gradually, bit by bit, learn things about both the puzzling gameplay and the world itself.”
Initially unveiled alongside the likes of Murasaki Baby and Galak-Z, Pavilion has been billed as a “fourth-person” puzzle game. In fact, players won’t be able to control the in-game avatar directly; instead, your quest is to coerce the main character into exploring the world around him by manipulating parts of the environment. Like ringing a bell, for instance.
Additionally, Visiontrick Media’s project will feature no ostensible dialogue, according to the developers, and will tell its story “through sight and sound.” From the trailer, Pavilion appears to be honing the stylistic tendencies of 90s adventure games such as Neverwinter Nights and other computer RPGs, along with the visual style of more modern isometric titles like Bastion.
Admittedly, the idea of passively directing the protagonist’s journey is an intriguing concept, though it remains to be seen whether the mechanic is as compelling on screen as it is on the page. And while there is no firm release date at this time, Pavilion is expected to launch across PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita later in 2014.
Published: Feb 28, 2014 02:48 pm