Benign Land

Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkaNEwVoQC4 [b]"Benign Land"[/b]seems like one of those projects that tries to captivate the player with atmosphere and mystery, leaving room for personal exploration of the world. The game's visual style and development approach itself hint at a minimalistic yet emotional experience. I would recommend [b]"Benign Land"[/b] to those who are looking for something new and are willing to take risks for a unique experience.

I love a walking simulator, and I'm a big fan of Irish History. However... as a game formed from an interactive art installation I think that the story is a bit difficult to follow that's being told. The movements are clunky and slow and often times not given much direction. I got physically stuck in a few places and had to (very very slowly) backtrack. I didn't quite understand what I was supposed to learn, and couldn't decipher anything other than the wording at the very end of the walking simulation. I wish it was more. I wish it provided more of an educational experience and made more sense. It was a bit muddled and the emotion just wasn't there for what was trying to be conveyed. It was an interesting experience nonetheless. Just not one I would care to experience again.

The game was boring, didn't have any sort of indication of where I was or what I was supposed to do. There was no narration or any story of any kind. Would not recommend and would like my 45 minutes that I spent on the game back.

Beautiful work of art. I say that as the first thing as it's important to know going in that this is much more an art piece than a game. It's a walking simulator in a literal sense, no puzzles or choices to make, just walking from one scene to the next. The music and sound design were the highlight for me, worth playing with a good sound set up to enjoy those fully. Recommended especially to anyone with an interest in northern Irish history, I think a lot of the visual references might be lost on those who don't have at least a passing knowledge of it.

Benign Land is an immersive journey, like stepping into a living, breathing artwork. The unique seamless camera movement makes the player feel weightless, as if floating through landscapes straight out of magical realism. The world around you is rich and detailed, yet there’s a haunting stillness that makes every moment feel significant. Rather than directly focusing on historical events, artist Leandros Ntolas creates landscapes that act as silent observers, subtly reflecting the weight of the past without overtly addressing it. This approach transforms the game into a contemplative experience, where the environment itself becomes a quiet witness to history. You’ll find yourself drifting through these spaces, absorbing the atmosphere at your own pace, almost as if you’re part of something larger than yourself. The lack of traditional gameplay and the slower, more deliberate pace might not be for everyone. However, if you're looking for something unique— a game that tells its story not through action, but through space, absence, and silence—Benign Land offers something truly special. I highly recommend playing with headphones, in the dark, and on a large screen to fully appreciate its immersive effect.

Was very lucky to be given a free key by the developer to try this out before release. Technically wise it looks amazing, Playing full screen and with a headset on I felt fully part of the experience. The sound design was incredible and really gave it an intense eerie vibe at times. The movement was so smooth and a perfect speed to keep me interested as normally I'm not a fan of walking sims due to the pacing. The environments were all so detailed and artistic and kept me intrigued the whole way through. The only thing I would like to see ( could totally just be a personal thing as I don't do may experience sims) would be some note cards or interest points to give a bit of detail on what we are seeing or some factoids to collect through the game Cant wait to see what the developer comes up with next!

Lovely atmospheric game, this is pure art!