Game: The Longest Road on Earth
Genre: Adventure
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on Steam (Windows) and iOS, Android)
Developer|Publisher: Brainwash Gang, TLR Games | Raw Fury
Age Rating: EU 7+ | US Teen
Price: US $9.99 | UK £7.99 | EU € 9,99
Release Date: January 25th, 2022
Review code provided with many thanks to JonnyAtom Productions.
Games For Everyone
Something I have always felt about video games as time progresses is how there really is a video game out there for everyone. Whether you want to be challenged by a brutally hard action game on console or sit with a nice puzzler on your mobile on the sofa. It’s amazing to think an industry which still isn’t even that old in the grand scheme of things has so much variety. Not only that, video games not just entertain us but also evoke emotions in some cases both positive and negative alike.
This brings us onto today’s game, The Longest Road on Earth. Which is a short narrative-focused game that doesn’t directly tell a story to the player. But instead leaves it up to their interpretation. It’s a game designed not to challenge but for you to enjoy some good music and imagery. A bit like an art exhibit only you can enjoy it anywhere you want on Nintendo Switch. If this sounds good to you then read on.
Four Short Stories
The game follows four short stories set in a world where animals wear people’s clothes. There is no dialogue or text. The stand out feature by far is as the events play out a very good indie soundtrack plays over the events with a terrific female vocalist. The story events that present themselves are open to the player’s interpretation. So here’s mine; clearly this game is set in the spirit world which isn’t too dissimilar to our Earth realm.
But not all spirit animals come over to our realm to guide and assist humans. Many stay in their realm living their lives out much as we do with their own problems and dramas. Maybe they too are waiting for their spirit human to come to guide them. Of course my interpretation is weird, much like my personality, but like any art exhibit it’s up to you to take what you want from the game. Some folk will likely find deep meaning in these pixels but understandably some will look at this title and see nothing more than animals and pixels. For me I kinda liked it.
Black and White
The graphical style is presented in black and white with a very detailed 2D pixel art style. There is quite a lot to take in, such as various NPCs of different animal species going about their day. I always find it a bit confusing in these animal worlds how regular birds fly in the sky while these people like birds walk about in the city. Again I’m thinking too deep into this game. During the stories, you play as one of these animal characters as you move around the environment and interact with objects by pressing or holding the button. That is the full extent of the challenge of this game. With that in mind this game is suitable for absolutely anyone that wants to take in an artistic piece that will last about 2-3 hours.
Once you’re finished it’s very unlikely you will play the game again. That is unless you want to share it with a friend. It’s a bit of a shame you can’t listen to the soundtrack in the options but if you do fall in love with it you can buy it on Steam or listen to it on Spotify. Niggles are hard to find in this game as there is not much to it. It runs fine in TV and handheld mode and I can easily say you will never feel stressed playing it. Some players may feel a bit bored since there are no collectables to find or anything to do but follow the simple story. I guess like the black and white art style I can see this being a bit of a love it or loathe it experience. But if you are looking for the Zen feels you have come to the right place.
Meditative Experience
The Longest Road on Earth is a nice little art piece of a game with a really good indie soundtrack which evoked all the feels in me. That being said I can easily see this game just not clicking with many people, much like some random exhibit you take a chance on in a museum. You’re going into this experience to appreciate some good music and zero challenge. It feels like a great way to spend a peaceful night with the Nintendo Switch on the sofa, with a nice drink and a blanket. Of course how you choose to enjoy this game is up to you. This game won’t suit everyone but it certainly deserves its place on Nintendo Switch for those that will open their hearts to it.
Final Verdict: I Like It
