 Here is a walking simulator I cannot wait to play. Question! What is a walking simulator? Answer! A game whose mechanics include little other than exploring a virtual space. They're not mechanically complex, but they can be engaging these games. Every time I've seen The Invincible, I've become that much more certain it's exactly the kind of narrative game I will find engaging. The demo I played during June's Steam Next Fest has done little to dissuade me. In fact, it's made the narrative of The Invincible all the more appealing, the constant tension of being alone on a desolate alien world surrounded by unknown and unknowable flora and corpses while trying to piece together a mystery that goes against your character's understanding of the universe. It makes for an excellent hook in a story told by Polish studio Star Ward Industries. So what if this game is an absolute walking simulator? And there really is no question that it is. I don't mind. An interesting enough story can make for an excellent gaming experience. Walking simulator or not? Just think of what remains of Edith Finch, one of the finest examples of this genre. Whether The Invincible shapes up to be one of those walking simulators we mentioned in the same breadth as Edith Finch is something we can tell only once it sees its full release. This slice of the game, however, certainly has me hopeful. Players of the demo are dropped not at the game's opening but more towards its middle, an interesting choice in itself. No special introductions are made of Jarsna, whom we control, or of the voice in her ear. That voice belongs to Jarsna's commanding officer who will be a constant companion from afar. The relationship between the two promises to be complex, defined by loyalty and guilt, and secrets held far too long. Jarsna is an astrobiologist, a frighteningly capable woman who does not back down from a challenge even as her head is pounding and she's close to total unconsciousness. I love the voice work on both parts, atmospheric to no end and acted out to perfection. You can really feel the emotions of these characters, the curiosity and want and fear they're pursued by. What's more, Jarsna's iron will comes true in a variety of different ways from her decisiveness to uncover the mystery before her to the resigned way she gets down to tackling every new challenge. The game is based on Stanislav Lem's novel of the same name, something I'd forgotten until sitting down to research this video. Lem is one of the sci-fi grandmasters whose works I haven't yet touched and while I'm tempted to jump into the novel before this title is released I think I'll wait and see what I make of the game first. A comparison video might be called for later down the line. How will the game tackle the themes of the novel? How close to the source material does it keep the plot? I have so much fun setting goals for the future, back to the invincible toe, the game. I'm such a nerd about dialogue options and this one tackles dialogue in a way that reminds me of Firewatch. That wonderful and intimate story about a man recovering from loss in the Wyoming wilderness. The setup of Boat is similar, insofar that a single person on the other side of a radio serves as your lifeline. Here in the invincible of course, science-fictional mystery is king. Corpses, machines breaking down and getting stuck in loops that range from the nonsensical to the murderous. Something is amiss on the planet of Registry. I plan on finding out what. Will you be joining me? Let me know in the comments below. If you enjoyed this video, please share it with your friends. Smash that like button and don't forget to subscribe. I'll see you again next time. Bye!