Tuesday and Ark review - Far Cry Game

[page=Silence speaks volumes]

Sometimes, silence says more than a thousand words ever could. Sometimes, creators risk their core gameplay mechanics by prioritizing their artistic vision. Sometimes, it even pays off.

An undeniable 'fairytale' quality remains throughout.

Have you ever just watched two close people be together? All sexual implications aside, observing the interaction of two living beings can itself be very moving. It doesn't matter what they are saying; their movement and posture is almost always enough to convey a strong impression of their relationship. It is such a simple concept that I think we often overlook it, what with so much emphasis in contemporary society being placed on what you say.

It is the simplicity, the small details and general nature of a character--or a number of characters--which allows you to form a rapport with them. For a prime example of how this is achieved in a modern title, look no further than Dog in Half-Life 2. You can't speak with him, there are no facial expressions you can relate to, but his general demeanor and character have formed a bond with so many gamers that it has even won awards.

This very principle is the core of Tuesday and Ark. In terms of gameplay, there isn't enough to steal your attention away from the likes of Killing Floor or Iron Grip : The Oppression just yet. I can totally empathize with those who deem it as nothing more than a proof-of-concept with a few bugs and glitches that desperately need ironing out. Beneath these, however, lies a beautiful story about two people and the way in which they bond.

Surprisingly dramatic.

The mod opens up with two characters--presumably Tuesday and Ark--floating on a raft to a small island. There is no dialog, just the sound of the wind, the waves and the ambiance of the living world. Tuesday awakens in a small shack to find Ark missing, so you as the player begin to search for him.

After exploring some of the primitive architecture on the island, you find Ark. In order to reunite our heroes, you have to find a way to the top of a makeshift tower. There is no HUD or goals screen that tells you to do this, but you feel the need to reunite these characters. Thus, we have our first puzzle.

Immediately, the controls become an issue. You point your mouse in a given direction and press a button to go forward and backwards, but with no ability to strafe left and right directly. It is pretty straightforward, but the average FPS player will need to adapt. You also cannot actually change or view the controls, as the menu doesn't give you this option, so you will need to figure out how to walk, jump and turn handles on your own.

The menu also gives you no option to save your progress or, really, do anything aside from return to the game or exit to the opening menu. If you want to quit, you better be prepared for the massive pain of starting at square one next time.

But you ignore this frustration for now. The fantastic visual quality of the mod takes your breath away. Many of the scenes resemble watercolor paintings, with pastel blues and greens creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. Everything is fantastic, but also cold and unnerving. At times, the silence and the visuals are enough to overpower you, leading you to explore further and deeper.

I like elevators. I like them even more when they work.

The real problem that lies at the core of Tuesday and Ark then makes itself known in the form of Ark himself. This is a mod that encourages you to explore and wander, yet your steadfast companion keeps disappearing on you. One minute you will be walking along with him in tow behind you and then he is nowhere to be seen. Sometimes, you can backtrack through the level and locate him again. Other times, you will get an error message that says you cannot continue because Ark has managed to vanish from the mod entirely, preventing you from completing the mod.

It is hard for a bond to form between the player and the character, the very intention of the mod itself, when one is driving the other nuts. I want to feel something for this character, I want to get caught up in the situation, but every time I try, Ark gets stuck in the level, or lost, or crashes the game entirely. Add in the fact that you cannot save or load the game at any given point and what you have is frustration.

Tuesday and Ark takes risks with the demands of its gaming audience and the idea of artistic expression. It demonstrates a good understanding of light and sound and unconventional storytelling at the expense of instant gratification and, admittedly, refined playability. This isn't a revolutionary approach, but it is a rare expression in modding. While the bugs present are enough to stop players cold in their tracks, it also couldn't exist within the structure of a traditional video game.

Sometimes, silence says more than a thousand words ever could. Sometimes, the story you want to tell becomes broken because of the way you're telling it. Sometimes, you need to put your preconceptions to one side and try to embrace something a little different, if just for the sake of it.

You can download Tuesday and Ark from here : Farcry.filefront.com

(+) Strong characterization.
(+) Effective, controlled use of sound.
(+) Unique, stylized visual elements.

(-) Not enough gameplay to exploit the core concept.
(-) Unacceptable lack of features on main menu.
(-) Game-breaking errors and AI issues.