Media: Interactive Fiction - this is a parser-based text adventure game.
Approx length: A complete playthrough is around one to two hours; alternately, if you don't mind spoilers and would rather read a transcript, that's about 10,000 words.
Where to find it: The game can be found here, along with a walkthrough if you're puzzle-averse - if you're already IF-savvy, there's a z5 file that you can load into the interpreter of your choice. However, the easiest way to play is in your browser! There's a play-in-your-browser link at the top right.
What is it, in summary?: This is a surreal text adventure in which you are restoring order to a strange, topsy-turvy world described in weirdly evocative language. I think the opening text is the fastest way to get the flavor:
The sun is gone. It must be brought. You have a rock.
What do you love about it?: I love the strangeness of the world and the poetry of the language. I love that the puzzles can be figured out by adapting yourself to the quasi-magical rules of the setting.
What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I've nominated this with "Worldbuilding," whether that means further elaboration of the game world or a "fake transcript" sequel to the events of the game or an examination of the past via a pastiche of the language style.
Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: You could probably play just part of the game for the flavor if you're hard up on time.
Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): N/a - I can't think of anything along these lines.
For a Change (Interactive Fiction)
Media: Interactive Fiction - this is a parser-based text adventure game.
Approx length: A complete playthrough is around one to two hours; alternately, if you don't mind spoilers and would rather read a transcript, that's about 10,000 words.
Where to find it: The game can be found here, along with a walkthrough if you're puzzle-averse - if you're already IF-savvy, there's a z5 file that you can load into the interpreter of your choice. However, the easiest way to play is in your browser! There's a play-in-your-browser link at the top right.
What is it, in summary?: This is a surreal text adventure in which you are restoring order to a strange, topsy-turvy world described in weirdly evocative language. I think the opening text is the fastest way to get the flavor:
What do you love about it?: I love the strangeness of the world and the poetry of the language. I love that the puzzles can be figured out by adapting yourself to the quasi-magical rules of the setting.
What sort of things are you likely to request for it?: I've nominated this with "Worldbuilding," whether that means further elaboration of the game world or a "fake transcript" sequel to the events of the game or an examination of the past via a pastiche of the language style.
Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: You could probably play just part of the game for the flavor if you're hard up on time.
Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): N/a - I can't think of anything along these lines.