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'Experimental' game by co-creator of Gish released photo

Edmund McMillen (co-creator of Gish and Triachnid) has announced that his newest game, Aether, has been released to the public. McMillen personifies Aether as a “personal project” that explores the concept of escapism and a child’s desire to find someone whom he can relate to. Here’s what McMillen had to say about the title in his press release:

It’s called Aether and it’s a simple experimental art game about childhood and escapism. Its a very honest and personal project I've been a little worried about making public because its exposes a lot of the fears I had when I was a child and puts me in a vulnerable places. But I feel like there are some out there that can appreciate something honest that has a lot of heart.

The game conveys his message via moody music, impressive art, and wistful controls. You can play the flash version of the game here, or you can download the Macintosh and PC versions collectively here. Also, feel free to tell me what you think of it.

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19 comments | showing # 1 to 19
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Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 18:00
Darren Nakamura
Uh oh, I smell an Indie Nation coming up...
GrayFox's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 18:18
GrayFox
Concept seems cool, but I had no idea what to do. I tried chasing those rabbit things but to no avail.
KMCC's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 18:23
KMCC
A couple minutes into it, and it hasn't grabbed me yet. Will give some it some more time, and give another impression...
GrayFox's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 18:24
GrayFox
I got up into the clouds and was flying through space for about 5 minutes before I realized that I was doing it wrong.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 18:26
Darren Nakamura
I tried playing it, but couldn't get off the first planet or whatever. I feel like it might have something to do with the fact that clicking the mouse did nothing when it said it was supposed to.
KMCC's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 18:28
KMCC
Ok, guess I can stop trying to fly through space then...good to know
Pacopaco's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 18:33
Pacopaco
I'm enjoying it so far but I keep accidentally clicking outside the flash window and end up going to another page - which restarts the game.

I'm not ready to call it a deep and insightful masterpiece, but I also haven't finished it yet (see previous sentence). I also wish the music were higher quality as the compression really hurts the dream-like environments.
KMCC's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 18:43
KMCC
I think I'm done playing this.
Rucksack's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 19:23
Rucksack
I liked it but a little more direction would have been helpful. Then again I'm sure that's part of the intended experience.
Aziel13's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 19:31
Aziel13
a bit confusing but other then that it is awesome
Aether Wyrm's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 19:32
Aether Wyrm
Well, just finished the game. It was interesting, to say the least. The game had little to no direction aside from the helpful arrows that pointed to planets, and the puzzles kinda made no sense. On the water planet I just swam around and somehow I solved it >.>
KaL YoshiKa's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 20:24
KaL YoshiKa
The grapple mechanic is funny until you figure out that it shoots where you're pointing only if it will definately hit something. There's a couple of interesting puzzles but the solutions are non-sensical to the enviroments.
sumdawg's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 20:30
sumdawg
I like it. Love the music and the graphics.
Rucksack's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 21:03
Rucksack
Okay, now I've actually finished the game.

I thought it was rather novel but unfortunately fell short of the emotional depth that it was reaching for.
Pantagruel's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 21:38
Pantagruel
It didn't touch me too deeply, but I am suprised at how easily I was able to complete it. It took me a while to get use to the tongue action, but for some reason the solution to the puzzles just came naturally to me. Don't know why, I ususally suck big time at puzzles. Nice music, nice graphics, hope to see more.
Pantagruel's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 21:38
Pantagruel
It didn't touch me too deeply, but I am suprised at how easily I was able to complete it. It took me a while to get use to the tongue action, but for some reason the solution to the puzzles just came naturally to me. Don't know why, I ususally suck big time at puzzles. Nice music, nice graphics, hope to see more.
Paroxysm's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 22:08
Paroxysm
I love the mechanics of moving around. I'll have to give it more of a play later when I'm not at work.
GohanGVO's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 23:52
GohanGVO
The puzzles were certainly entertaining, especially when all you can do is move, jump and swing. Truth be told, I felt a bit queezy due to the constantly moving environment in cyclical motions. Due to that, I am glad the game is short (~20 or so minutes).

The art style is pleasant and welcoming, while the NPCs are depressing even after you help them.

Perhaps the overall message is that the help offered is not the help necessary (fixing planets is great, but the NPCs need help moreso).
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/05/2008 10:29
Holyetheline
I will totally download this when I get home.
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