Developer: Joep Aben
Platform: PC – Direct

This post is part of a series on The Pirate Bay Bundle.

Abandoned is a bit odd. After the main menu, there’s an incredibly brief cutscene showcasing a hatching egg. Then, you’re immediately thrust into playing with little explanation as to what needs to be done. There’s a  timer ticking down from 10 minutes, colored squares blocking exits, and then there’s you. Whatever you are.

The player controls something that looks like a Frankensteinian creation. Part bird, tree, and alien (?), your sprite flaps around stages. There are many rooms to explore and many appear to be dead ends at first. It’s only after grabbing a power up item that the gameplay conceit is revealed. Grab power ups, which grant access to more areas, then grab other ones and so on.

I enjoyed the art style simply for the inherent alien nature of it. Despite being pixel art, the lead character is certainly unique. So too are the backdrops which start out fairly average but quickly become more interesting. For example, some areas look somewhat like crackers, while others make you feel like Abandoned takes place in someone’s intestines.

The music is a definite high point. It is ambient but still manages to enhance the sensation of being totally alone. If not for the 10 minute time limit I would have probably enjoyed it more. However, that must mean it can become a quick game if you can remember (or map) where everything is and how to reach them. Still, I don’t think Abandoned is something I’ll be looking to speedrun in the near future.

Developer’s comment: “Abandoned” was my first attempt to express myself through games and base my game design choices on enhancing the mood and atmosphere, instead of what would be the most ‘fun’.

It is still a goal of mine to make games that express my feelings and thoughts in some way, and I think “Abandoned” is an important part of what set that in motion.