A First Look at The Sojourn by flotsam

I knew nothing about this game when I started but have played for about half an hour. The game which first came to mind was The Talos Principle and so I wasn't surprised to see Steam suggesting it as one of the "more games like this".

It doesn't have that game's philosophical dialogue (at least not yet) but it is about manipulating the objects in the environment in order to exit through the door and move to the next part of the world. So far, I have come across two different statues and a fire that enables you to see into the "dark" world to assist you.

Walking into the fire enables you to see and use pathways or bridges that aren't there in the "light" world. It also enables you to activate the statues that are a key part of the manipulation.

When I began, there was a statue that enabled me to swap places with it. This was immediately useful as your capacity to move around in the dark world is limited. You can only move a certain distance, so if you want to cross a bridge that doesn't exist in the light world, you better hope that is within your dark world range. If not, perhaps you can move the statue to a location to which, if you then swap places, you can make it across the bridge within the movement range available.

A few doors later, I was introduced to a portal that opened a gate, so long as the statue was standing on it. A few more, and a second statue enabled me to repair broken bridges for a limited amount of time. Getting out the door is becoming more convoluted, requiring the manipulation of the statues and a bit of related timing (i.e. get to where you need to be before the time runs out).

I suspect there may be more statues that do other things. I also have a control that utilises relics, but I have yet to come across any of them.

The game is a a colourful polygon-ish world and saves as you go. The game's website says you will delve into four beautifully crafted chapters, each with their own distinct style and atmosphere, which I am yet to experience.

You move with the keyboard and interact with the mouse and I am looking forward to what lies ahead.

Thanks flotsam (and Jenny100) - although "save as you go" is not my favourite

Thank you very much for that first look, flotsam.

Hi Jenny

Thanks flotsam and Jenny!

I've had this on my wish list to keep an eye on it but it doesn't really sound like my kind of thing. We'll see.

Thanks flotsam and Jenny100.

The Sojourn will be an "EPIC exclusive" for a few months.
https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/the-sojourn/home

Some time in 2020 it will be released on Steam (and probably other online game shops).
https://store.steampowered.com/app/794960/The_Sojourn/

So if you are interested in getting it on Steam (or some place other than EPIC), you have plenty of time to think about it and read user reviews.

I know Jenny, thanks. I often put things on my wish list just so I don't lose track of them but I almost always am waiting for really good sales anyway so I always have plenty of time to decide .

Sounds very interesting flotsam. Would you say this is something for Myst lovers?

Thanks, Jenny!

Ana

Thank you for the review.

Hi Ana
Not on what I have played to date.
I love Myst and I anticipate enjoying this, but they are different in how they play.

Thanks, flotsam!

Ana

Hi again
I have played some more and have a better appreciation for how the statues work, which is important. The second one I came across that repairs broken bridges operates in both the light and the dark worlds, which can be critical to get around some further obstacles that have recently been introduced.
Fiddle about to see what they do.

Thanks for the update, Steve!