Bohm

Bohm is an experimental game based around interactively growing a tree. Unfortunately the game is still in development, so this teaser video is the only way to see it in action:

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Similar to Cloud and Flower, this game tries to break away from traditional game conventions in order to create a primarily relaxing experience, rather than one fueled by adrenaline or addiction. According to the developers, the player interacts with the tree while it grows, influencing the paths of its branches and overall shape, while adaptive music plays in the background. As of now, they’ve already achieved some form of generative artwork – they have a tree with virtual growth in a beautiful dream-like world, but the key to their success is putting the player in a state of meditation. The developers describe the gameplay – slowly manipulating the branches, creating new ones – as if it were an artform, like sculpting a bonsai tree. Empowering players with creativity, but freeing them from competition, risk, should make for a very immersive and unique experience.

PixelJunk Eden

PixelJunk Eden is a game where players explore an alien-like garden full of growing plants and flowing creatures to collect glowing items. The game has a very minimal aesthetic – it has distinct palettes in each garden, and makes good use of blur and glow to create a dream-like ambience. The art director, Baiyon, also created a dynamic techno soundscape that responds to the player’s progress in the garden. You can look at the official trailer on Steam to hear him describe the inspiration for the game.

Baiyon’s clear artistic vision is evident from the tight coupling of the music and visuals, and it works together to create a fascinating experience. But I’m not convinced that the initial mechanics are successfully translated into a good game. The control scheme was ported from the PS3, but the platforming controls just don’t seem as responsive on the PC as they should be, especially when the game is about exploration. The gravity-bound avatar and collectible orbs also seem to distract from the experience of just watching the environment grow and animate; it’s as if they’ve already achieved half of what Bohm was trying, but tried tacking on a game to try to make t more accessible.