REVIEW: Umurangi Generation

Umurangi Generation is just as good.

If you're lucky enough, every now and again you will come across an artifact, media or work that you'll be thinking about for the rest your life. Kingdom Hearts 2 was my first example. Boogiepop and Others is another example. Umurangi Generation is the most recent title I know of that this will occur.

Let's begin with the gameplay. The tutorial uses first-person shooters to show you how the game works. This is a great place to start if your new to photography. The game starts with a basic set of tools, which include a standard kit lens and the ability to adjust exposure, colour balance and colour tint. The camera is very easy to use, and it feels just like a real camera. Although everything runs smoothly, the menu for photo editing can sometimes be confusing. There are two tasks you need to complete: the first is to take photos, while the second unlocks bonus features for your camera. Although it is important to complete the photography bounties in 10 minutes or less, this task is not very significant on your first playthrough. Although it adds stress to taking all the photos, a new feature in the Switch port is that the timer will disappear after 10 minutes.

Gyroscope controls are the biggest addition to the Switch version of the game. You've likely encountered motion controls if you've ever played a Nintendo Switch first-party title. This design philosophy is clear. It makes it feel as if you are using a real camera. It feels as though you are taking photos, even though the ZR button is very long. It was awkward due to the length of my switch but it didn't bother me. It brought back memories of me trying to find the perfect position to take pictures.

I also want to touch on the impeccable soundtrack by Thor High Heels. Some tracks feel like they could have been taken from a PS2 game. Others are reminiscent of sounds found in Clank and Ratchet . The music is unique because it invokes future feelings. It does this through not using electronic instruments, which it does. But it sounds like music that we might hear tomorrow. It does not sound like music from a distant past, but rather like something you would hear late at night on BBC Radio One. It's a perfect fit for the world. The game has nothing that's impossible (except for some very large things that I won’t spoil), and that extends to the soundscape Thor creates.

Umurangi Generation's unabashed politics, and setting are the things that won me over. Although it is a world that is in danger, I won't spoil the excellent storytelling. The Macro DLC has one level, which is clearly left-wing. This level directly mirrors the protests against police brutality last year. The graffiti on the walls and ground of this level is a reminder that the government won't protect you in the event of disaster.

Multiple countries have shown ineptness in responding to the pandemic and the protests that have erupted around the globe. This is a clear indication of the message of the game. This game's power lies in the truth that it tells the players. Ubisoft and other developers constantly claim that there is no politics in their games. To hear an indie title say, "fuck you people are dying and this's a problem" would be a breath of fresh air. This game is worth playing. It's an enjoyable game that could teach you a lot about photography. If you felt ambivalent after looking at the past year, there might be more to learn from the red skies generation.