Even Prettier Is Luminesca
We last mentioned Luminesca way back in May 2011, back when the Earth was still cooling. The extremely pretty exploration game is now available to buy as an alpha, for a coo-look-at-that price - £2.99. I've had a play of it.
At the moment there's not a huge amount to it. But this is a very early build, with plans to continuously add to it. But what is there is so very pleasant that the moment I accidentally completed the available sections, I started again because I wanted to carry on experiencing its calming ambience. Giving you no instructions as to what you're supposed to be doing, the emphasis is immediately put on exploration, and seeing what does what. So obviously I'm not going to say what it is you do, or I'd pretty much ruin the point of the brief chunk of game you've got here. But it's safe to say you play a little floating creature, who (eventually) shines a light in an underwater world where bioluminescence plays a key role.
Controls work equally well whether on a controller, mouse or keyboard (or a combination of them if you so wish). And there's no doubt that a massive portion of its success is thanks to the absolutely stunning sound. I just wish there were a bit more to it at this point - you really could "complete" what's here in about two minutes if you tried.
I recommend turning the volume and bass up as high as your speakers/headphones can handle, and letting yourself be absorbed into its simple, gentle world. And don't go too far to the left too quickly. Take a look at the trailer:
