Just A Regular Survival Game?
“Raft” is a example of this genre, where the there i s boundless water, and survival is your main objective. This game stands out almost true sandbox experience.
As you drift across the waters, on your small raft, collecting various debris, there’s a sense of freedom and creativity that’s hard to find elsewhere. Playing Raft, makes me very calm, somehow at peace, at least very list until the shark comes. And it doesn’t stay for too long, a few hours in, and the shark is just a shadow of it’s own.
Comparatively with another similar game that I love, “Valheim” shares the survival sandbox type, placing you in a procedurally generated world inspired by Norse mythology.
Both games excel in offering players a vast playground, focusing on exploration and progression at one’s own pace. However, “Raft” feels more sandbox than storyline, prioritizing freedom and creativity over the structured almost imposed progression seen in “Valheim.”
Overall, each game deserve their rightful place in the top games for this genre.
There's Something Special About The Deep Blue
“Raft” hits some perfect notes in terms of design choices, gameplay and progression at own pace. And even after progressing through the missions and completing the game, I find myself coming back to it again and again.
And between these two games, Valheim feels like the more polished and with more depth. However, overall if I have to take one single game with me on a lonely island, I would go with Raft.
Gaming As A Meditative Experience
The relaxed pace of makes it an ideal game to play while integration other media during the play session, such as podcasts, youtube videos or twitch. I understand is not the healthiest way to play, because usually the focus should be anchored at one thing at a a time.
Sometimes, after I remember a specific episode of a podcast, I find myself imagining adrift in an endless sea. On a second thought, it’s actually a memory of doing various tasks in the game, while being immersed in a history podcast. And is a strange feeling, because I feel like I kind of understood what’s happening in the game, while listening to some comedian-type podcast.
This fusion of gameplay and podcasts creates a unique gaming experience that’s both engaging and relaxing. And I can only do it with Raft. Yes, this is a love letter to the game.
Hats off. How I wish I were younger! At 33, there’s only so much time I can dedicate to playing videogames, but that doesn’t makes me less of a gamer.
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