FreePlay: Phyta

Hello and Welcome.

Today I wanted to talk about a beautiful non-game called Phyta.

 

 Phyta is the latest creation from Cambrian Games.  On the most superficial level it is a 'game' where you control a small sun which coaxes a black vine to grow.  Using this vine you attempt to capture  golden 'angels'.  Once captured, the angels empower your sun.  This allows for your fine to grow faster, and more tendrils.  After 5 or so captured angels, you progress to the next 'level' which has a different type of angel.  Check out the video below to see how the game plays.

The ascetic of this game is so simple, yet so beautiful.  That combined with the beautiful (and repeating) guitar/violin track have had me playing this game for hours.

On a higher level, I think this game is really about desire. The vine desires the sun, and to capture the beautiful angels.  I also can't help but feel that you, as the vine, are not necessarily the good entitiy in this presentation.  It actually cursorily reminds me of Shadow of the Collosus. 

Anyway, I highly recommend you check the game out.  It is available to download for Windows and Linux.

And since there is no Readme or instructions with the game, I will give you a little hint:  The Vine follows your sun which is moved by moving the mouse pointer.  However, if you hold the left mouse button, the vine will grow faster, but thinner.  This is good for catching up to some of the later Angels.  Also, holding the right mouse button will cause your vine to sprout leaves.  These are good for capturing some of the later angels that can pass through thin vines.

 

Enjoy!

~k