Today’s Independent Highlight article features a beautiful game, looking to change up the Virtual Reality formula – if only just a little. I am talking about Etherian, produced by Simulacrum Interactive, a Canadian independent studio.
Etherian is a Virtual Reality title that makes use of the HTC Vive. The game makes great use of freeform movement while offering areas to jump and climb too. In what is described as an “adventure-platforming” game, players make their way through the stunning terrain while figuring out solutions to the game’s many puzzles.
One thing that sticks out immediately is the game’s visual style. The environments are colourful, almost to a fault, but it draws you in as if the game is asking you to explore. As you can see in the trailer above, Etherian seems to take the “relaxed” approach by giving players the opportunity to play the game at their own pace, rather than being restricted to times or high-scores. This style of play is something rarely seen in today’s industry, which is why we want to highlight them for the final week of June.
In speaking with the team and seeing the studio’s work either, you can tell that a lot of love and passion go into developing Etherian. They’ve had a hand in developing other independent titles, but this is a studio to look out for in the coming years. Etherian is in Early Access right now, with the full game releasing later this Summer.
Etherian is available for PC, via Steam.
