The summer sweltering aura hit me as if I opened a working furnace. Heatwave is blasting through my city, air so heavy you could cut it with a knife. But this ruthless sun still brings a smile to my face as this late June means Holidays! Sure, I have been out of the school system for almost twenty years now, but I still feel the atmosphere of the Summer Holidays. The days that last forever, deep into the late hours of evening. The buzz of insects afloat. The scent of mowed grass, the petrichor post summer rain. It's a good vibe. Every summer I get hit by a truck of nostalgia, rewatching beloved shows, and re-reading books I always come back to.
And replaying games that for me managed to trap the essence of summer in a bottle. Like Alba: A Wildlife Adventure. It is a game that never fails to bring a smile to my face, that soothes the mind and warms the soul. As Alba - a young and positively brimming with happy jubies gal - we will explore a small island to learn about its fauna and flora... But most importantly, to help preserve its natural beauty. Yeah, this is an eco-friendly game that aims to teach us about the importance of biodiversity and more harmonious living with nature.
To do so, we will concentrate our effort on two major tasks. First, and foremost, is helping to rebuild the tiny little preserve of our town's unique biome. We find some minor resources, repair fences, and pathways and return the cute little park to its former glory. Second, we embark on a small journey to enroll other citizens into our noble mission - by helping them with their issues we make them realize the importance of our goal. That's it, that's pretty much the game; The developers themselves call it a 'chillectathon' - a more casual collectathon where emphasis is laid on enjoying the scenery.
But there are quite a few side activities that kept me engaged through and through. Find all the animals to fill your atlas. Explore every area. Clean litter. Save the squirrels! While the game is compact, every little bit of the island hides something to work on, a tiny task of do-goodery to brighten your mood. A feel-good game about running around and doing good deeds, indeed.
It's hard to put into words why this game feels so great. The visuals, for me, are stellar. The game is pretty, soft, and tender, always basking in the light of the Mediterranean sun. The grass and leaves rustle with the breeze. Animals make their calls and cries, heard from a distance, making finding them feel oh so very, forgive the unintended pun, natural. Our protagonist doesn't just run - she skips with joy and energy. She is full of wonder and evocative emotions each time she encounters a new cool animal to catch in the picture. There is satisfaction after performing every task, and I know why. It's because you can SEE the changes to the island as you perform them. Ground free of litter. Animals emerge from their hidey holes. Preserve growing more and more with each repair. It gives this steady sense of progression towards something wholesome and pure.
It's small. It's short. You can wrap it up in one evening, two tops. But even if that might sound like not enough for the asking price, I enjoyed every single minute of it, from start to finish. And so, I can only give it my heartfelt recommendation. If you want a title that brims with positive energies, that will calm your nerves, dissolve your stress, and offer a well-wrapped lesson in conservation efforts... You will not find a better title than this precious gem.
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