I earned my undergraduate degree in English, Creative Writing, and Film Studies, so I have a background that nurtures my naturally analytical brain. I can’t read a book without a pencil in hand, and I’ve even watched movies with pen and paper blazing. It is with this background that I tend to approach video games.
One game I have been meaning to write about since its release is The Unfinished Swan by Giant Sparrow. From chapter to chapter, The Unfinished Swan weaves a compelling narrative by taking the player’s hand and guiding him/her through consistently unfamiliar territory. Themes, allusions, and symbols are plentiful throughout, emphasizing the natural wonderment felt by the player and bolstering the experience with rich content. I’ve chosen to break up my writings into chapters to parallel the game’s structure/narrative. As a warning, major plot beats will be discussed openly. The Unfinished Swan is a game that partially hinges on the player feeling lost and discovering her way. Therefore, the game’s narrative is less effective when the
player knows where to go, what to do, etc.
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