Alba: A Digital Experience
This is not a review of Alba: a wildlife adventure, but more a rambling about how I was introduced to it and how it made me feel. In an attempt to avoid spoilers, I've included only the details about the game that I felt were necessary. All images in this post were captured in game.
On Friday, December 11th, 2020, a friend of mine retweeted a release announcement for the game titled, Alba: a wildlife adventure. After reading the tweet, watching the video, and looking at the game's website, I was convinced that I NEEDED to play this game. I added it to my wishlist on Steam and continued on with my work day.
In game photo of the sunset
As the work day progressed, my curious excitement for the game built up to a point where I could no longer ignore it so I took a break, logged into Steam, and purchased it.
A game about doing good deeds that result in meaningful change? And a unique art style? YES PLEASE. I was so excited to play it during the weekend!
I've always been into roleplaying games (D&D and anything remotely close to it). Assuming the role of another character in a fantasy world is a great way of relaxing & freeing your mind. But as I've gotten older, I've found it increasingly difficult to give all my interests an adequate amount of time where I'm equal parts enjoying/relaxing and improving/progressing; this includes playing large scale/open-world video games that I enjoy so much.
“I was not prepared for the impact the game would have on me.”
In recent years I've gained a new appreciation for games that I can complete in a handful of hours or in one sitting; games that don't require me to continually grind and instead, tell a story, offer some sort of mindless entertainment (like Tetris), or encourage you to just play whenever without feeling like you're missing out (like Animal Crossing: New Horizons).
On Saturday morning (December 12th), I sat down with a nice hot cup of coffee, grabbed my controller, and fired up Alba. I figured I'd play for a few hours and then go do something else.
I was not prepared for the impact the game would have on me.
My coffee went from hot to cold and the hours of the day passed in, what seemed, an instant.
For 7.5 hours I sat at my computer with controller in hand, fully immersed in Alba's world, only getting up when it was absolutely necessary. The game had me smiling, laughing, crying, and curiously excited about what was around every "corner".
“After completing the game, I was experiencing some sort of “high”. I felt happy. I felt optimistic. I felt like everything was going to be OK.”
This little bird was just as excited as I was about the sunset
For me, this game was a perfect fit: exploration, good deeds, comedy, unique characters, photography, and most importantly: wildlife conservation awareness. I believe that this game was made specifically for me.
In addition to the good feels, Alba has provided me with a boost of inspiration to continue working on a similar idea I've had. I hope that I can one day make it a reality and bring my own unique helping of wholesome into this world to provide a similar experience for others like Alba has for me.
Everyone deserves to feel this good.
Alba: a wildlife adventure is a game I will never forget and people will likely tire of me hyping it. It joins a (currently) short list of games that have had an emotional impact on me:
Thank you, ustwo. This was a much-needed good feeling amidst the not-so-good feelings too many have had to endure this year. Nature has a way of putting things into perspective for those that listen.
Now more than ever, it’s important to stop and admire the little things.
