The 3D turn-based resource management game As Far as the Eye, developed by Unexpected and published by Goblinz Publishing, arrives on the Nintendo Switch on 28 April 2022.
As Far As The Eye was originally released on Steam, Epic Games, and GOG on 10 September 2020, after months on closed beta.
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As Far As The Eye involves a nomadic tribe, the Pupils, traveling toward the center of the world, known as The Eye. The player represents the wind acting as a spiritual guide for the Pupils to find safety from an incoming flood. One must manage various necessities, including food, shelter, and supplies, as the tribe embarks on its journey through different environments.
As Far As The Eye Can See, There Are New Games
Along the way, the Pupils become stronger, smarter, and more efficient via activities such as agriculture, crafting, and research. Although each journey begins with a few Pupils, more of them can join the journey to aid in producing resources. As the Pupils are a peaceful tribe, there is no combat system in the game, though random events known as vagaries act as intangible obstacles at each checkpoint.
The player must make wise decisions to ensure the Pupils’ survival to avoid a premature end to As Far As The Eye.
The player can select one of three different game modes. The first, Campaign, introduces the basic gameplay mechanics and elements as well as the lore, setting, and characters. The second, Custom, grants creative freedom for the player to design levels to their liking. Finally, the main Game Mode is the journey itself; reaching the Eye unlocks additional playable tribes. Each playable tribe has different starting parameters and environmental aesthetics.
Small-Scale Development, Big Cultural Impact
The release of As Far As The Eye is another example of the burgeoning success and reputation of indie games. Unlike triple-A developers, indie developers can express their creative vision without constraints from executive decisions. Every aspect of the game, whether it is genre, gameplay, or visual presentation, are all determined according to the developers. Indie development often takes place on a smaller budget and with a smaller team (or even a single individual).
Although indie video games have seen a surge in popularity in the 2010s, they have been around as early as the 1990s. Early Internet prevented indie games from being easily accessible, though they were distributed via shareware, a type of software designed for free trial use but may require payment for any upgrades or continued usage. With the evolution of technology, an increasing number of developers recognized the opportunity to start their own independent projects.
Indie video games such as Mojang’s Minecraft, Scott Cawthon’s Five Nights at Freddy’s, Toby Fox’s Undertale, Studio MDHR’s Cuphead, and Innersloth’s Among Us saw huge success upon release. Naturally, sequels, merchandise, and even entire franchises followed up on these titles as they greatly altered the landscape of the gaming world. Even years after their initial release, dedicated fan communities continue to play and share indie video games, further boosting their popularity.
They demonstrate that developers do not need to follow trends or depend on a formula to reach specific audiences. For those seeking out games that try something different from the norm, indie titles might just be the games for you.
Are you looking forward to playing As Far As The Eye? How will you guide the Pupils to the Eye? What are some of your favorite indie games? Let us know in the comments!
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