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AWAY: The Survival Series is an indie action-adventure video game developed and published by Canadian studio Breaking Walls. It was released on September 28, 2021 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, and for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on June 1, 2023.[1][2][3][4]
| AWAY: The Survival Series | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Breaking Walls |
| Publisher(s) | Breaking Walls |
| Engine | |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Xbox One Xbox Series X/S |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure, survival |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
edit"AWAY: The Survival Series" is a story-driven adventure game where players assume the role of a tiny sugar glider navigating through a nature documentary-like setting. The gameplay involves gliding among trees, combating dangerous predators, and exploring picturesque environments on a quest to save the player character's family. The game allows for exploration either through a main storyline or by embarking on side quests that unveil the concealed mysteries of the new world. Players have the option to confront larger foes, hunt smaller prey, or use stealth and agility to evade apex predators undetected.[5][6]
Development
editThe game was developed by Montreal-based developer Breaking Walls, which raised $1.75 million to fund the game's development. This funding round featured contributions from Game Seer Venture Partners. Initially, the game was funded through a Kickstarter campaign that raised CAD $136,000 by July 2019 and also received support from the Canada Media Fund. The studio was founded in 2015 by Laurent Bernier, Nathanael Dufour, and Sebastien Nadeau, with Bernier and Nadeau having previous experience at Ubisoft. The game emphasizes realism and communicates the impact of climate change on the natural world.[7][8][9] The music, composed by Mike Raznick, known for his work on nature documentaries like Planet Earth II and Life, added to the game's ambiance and narrative style.[10][11][12]
As part of a broader effort to address environmental issues through gaming, "AWAY: The Survival Series" was involved in the 'Playing for the Planet Alliance' initiative launched in 2019, reflecting on biodiversity protection in alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.[13]
Reception
editThe game received mixed reviews from players and critics. While the beautiful environments, narration, and musical score were appreciated, the game faced criticism for technical issues like glitches, erratic camera controls, and poorly implemented combat mechanics. The game holds a rating of Mixed on Steam with 56% of the 210 user reviews being positive, and a score of 65 on Metacritic indicating generally favorable reviews but with noted issues regarding bugs and gameplay elements.[14][15][16][17][18]
The game won the "Best In Play" award at the GDC 2019.[19][20]
It also garnered the "Most Adoptable" award during the UN's Green Game Jam, lauded for its concept of intertwining real-world environmental action with gameplay through an in-game reforestation zone themed around the Play4Forests petition, promoting a deeper engagement with global warming themes.[21][22]
References
edit- ^ "Breaking Walls Will Launch Kickstarter Campaign For AWAY: The Survival Series, Early Bird Bundle Opportunity -". mxdwn Games. 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
- ^ "Away: The Survival Series Takes You on a Journey into the Wild". PlayStation.Blog. 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
- ^ "AWAY: The Survival Series launches in early 2021". Gematsu. 2020-08-29. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
- ^ Borthworth, Ben (March 5, 2021). "Away: The Survival Series confirmed for Xbox One later this year". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions :: AWAY: The Survival Series General Discussions". steamcommunity.com. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ "Away: The Survival Series - PC, PS4 and PS5 - Kids Age Ratings - Family Gaming Database". www.familygamingdatabase.com. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ Handrahan, Matthew (2020-04-14). "Breaking Walls raises $1.75m for "animal adventure game" Away". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ Viveiros, Kyle (2020-08-31). "AWAY: The Survival Series Lets Players Star in a Virtual Nature Documentary". Game Rant. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ Apsey, Joe (2019-06-26). "AWAY: The Survival Series Gets A New Gameplay Trailer". PlayStation Universe. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ "Review | Away: The Survival Series |". 2021-11-03. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ "AWAY: The Survival Series Soundtrack Supports Environmental Charity Audubon Society". G-LYFE Nation - Gaming News, Esports News, Gaming Community. 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ ""AWAY: The Survival Series Soundtrack Supporting Charity Now Available" - Games Press". www.gamespress.com. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ Romano, Manuela; Rogora, Alessandro (2023). "A Serious Game Proposal for Exploring and Designing Urban Sustainability". In Arbizzani, Eugenio; Cangelli, Eliana; Clemente, Carola; Cumo, Fabrizio; Giofrè, Francesca; Giovenale, Anna Maria; Palme, Massimo; Paris, Spartaco (eds.). Technological Imagination in the Green and Digital Transition. The Urban Book Series. Cham: Springer International Publishing. pp. 811–820. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-29515-7_72. hdl:11311/1243778. ISBN 978-3-031-29515-7.
- ^ "AWAY: The Survival Series". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ "AWAY: The Survival Series on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ Andersen, Toby (2021-10-01). "AWAY The Survival Series Review (PS5) - Lend Me Some Sugar". Finger Guns. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ "Away: The Survival Series review -- Keep away from me". PC Invasion. 2021-09-29. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ Vasile, Cosmin (2021-10-10). "AWAY: The Survival Series Review (PS5)".
- ^ "Here are your 'Best in Play' winners for GDC Play 2019!". Game Developer. 2019-02-25. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ "GDC Best in Play Winners". 2019.
- ^ "2nd annual Green Game Jam brings leading game companies together to empower millions to play for the planet". UN Environment. 2021-07-14. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ Dealessandri, Marie (2021-07-14). "Ubisoft, Ustwo, Wooga among Green Game Jam 2021 winners". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2023-10-21.