Imagine a world where everything is a series of interconnected circles, each one unique and yet somehow connected to the others. Welcome to What Surrounds Us, a game that takes its title literally and presents a thought-provoking experience that challenges players to think about the world around them.

Source: platform.theverge.com

The game’s world is composed entirely of circles, each one representing a different entity or object. The player takes on the role of a circle that surrounds a hole in the middle, essentially a donut with frosting. As you navigate through the world, you’ll encounter other sentient circles that you can interact with, sometimes helping them meet with others and sometimes avoiding obstacles that block your path.

Design and Artistry

What Surrounds Us is a visually striking game with a unique art style that sets it apart from other games. The use of circles as the primary design element creates a sense of cohesion and unity, emphasizing the idea that everything is connected. The game’s soundtrack is equally impressive, with an ethereal and ambient score that perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere.

One of the standout features of What Surrounds Us is its lack of explicit instructions. Unlike other games that provide clear guidance and tutorials, What Surrounds Us leaves it up to the player to figure things out for themselves. This approach can be both frustrating and rewarding, as players are forced to experiment and learn through trial and error. However, this also creates a sense of discovery and satisfaction as players uncover new mechanics and strategies.

Gameplay and Mechanics

The gameplay in What Surrounds Us is reminiscent of classic Zelda games, with a focus on exploration and puzzle-solving. The player must navigate through a large map composed of interconnected circles, solving puzzles and avoiding obstacles to progress. As you explore the world, you’ll encounter new powers and abilities that allow you to traverse the map in new ways, such as the ability to charge up a big leap to traverse gaps.

The game’s mechanics are cleverly designed to take advantage of the circle-based world. For example, using a ping near a dark circle can open up new paths forward, while avoiding aggressive enemy circles can be a challenge in itself. The game’s use of sound design is also noteworthy, with a range of sounds and music that perfectly complement the game’s atmosphere.

Themes and Interpretation

What Surrounds Us is a game that encourages players to think about the world around them. The use of circles as the primary design element creates a sense of unity and connection, emphasizing the idea that everything is interconnected. The game’s themes of exploration, discovery, and puzzle-solving are all closely tied to this idea, and players are encouraged to interpret the game’s meaning for themselves.

The game’s lack of explicit instructions also creates a sense of ambiguity and interpretation. Players are forced to figure out the rules and mechanics for themselves, which can be both frustrating and rewarding. However, this also creates a sense of ownership and agency, as players feel like they’ve discovered something new and meaningful.

Overall, What Surrounds Us is a game that will make you think a lot about circles. Its unique design and art style, clever gameplay mechanics, and thought-provoking themes make it a standout title that’s definitely worth checking out.

What Surrounds Us is now available on PC via Steam.