Long Gone Days: Unveiling the Tragic Toll of Warfare

The full release of Long Gone Days, a popular game, has been out for almost a month now, and gamers everywhere are buzzing about its stunning graphics, captivating music, and, above all, its compelling storyline. Players assume the role of Rourke, a skilled sniper who was born into a private military group called The Core. However, Rourke quickly discovers a disturbing truth about his organization during his debut mission, prompting him to join forces with a diverse group of characters and turn against the very army he once fought for.

Long Gone Days was originally conceived and developed by Camila Gormaz, who remarkably began working on the project at the age of 12. Initially, it started as an RPG Maker 2000 project back in 2003. However, it wasn't until 2015 that the development for the game's demo officially commenced. After going through the Early Access program in March 2018, the game was finally fully released on October 10. Throughout the years, Gormaz's team has expanded to include co-writer and game designer Pablo Videla, as well as programmer Camilo Valderrama. In a recent interview, the team shared with our website their intentions of using Long Gone Days as a medium to explore the dark side of war in a captivating manner, highlighting the fact that nobody truly emerges victorious.

The Impact of Pixel Art, Illustrations, And Music

Military games are often associated with violence and high-intensity action, similar to popular titles like Call of Duty or Battlefield. However, Long Gone Days breaks away from this norm, placing emphasis on other elements. While players will engage in first-person sniper mode, equip various weapons, and partake in turn-based combat, this four-to-five-hour game uniquely combines pixel art with anime influences and inspiration from Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs). This artistic approach, carefully chosen by Gormaz, conveys a specific tone throughout the gameplay, as seen in the artist's own full-screen illustrations. These illustrations, though typically somber, adapt to reflect moments of hopefulness, matching the mood and narrative.

Occasionally, comments are made by individuals who express surprise at the game's ability to address significant issues given its art style. This dissonance between the art and story was not intentionally planned; however, it serves a purpose in making these topics more accessible for players, preventing them from feeling overwhelmed or detached from the experience. Despite the unconventional pairing, players still experience a genuine connection, empathy, and immersion in the storyline, without the potential grotesqueness or exploitation that could arise from a more realistic depiction. In this way, the chosen art style serves as a powerful tool, enabling a more sensitive approach to storytelling for the players.

The music was a challenge to achieve its current state, according to Gormaz. Due to a lack of budget, they were limited to using royalty-free music. However, things took a turn last year when Sebastian Marin, a fellow Chilean, composed an original soundtrack for the game. Unlike traditional pixel art games, which are often accompanied by 8-bit music, Gormaz intentionally sought a progressive rock sound. The resulting soundtrack, appreciated by players for its haunting yet satisfying melodies, transformed the overall experience. Prior to the addition of the tracks and sound effects, Gormaz felt that something was missing, but that feeling vanished once everything was incorporated. The game began to resemble a movie, immersing players in its world.

When dealing with The Core, the main antagonist, and showcasing scenes in Kaliningrad, conversing with non-playable characters, or interacting with party members, we make a deliberate effort to explore different approaches. This involves creating a contrast between the musical instruments and sounds employed in the game. We hope players notice and appreciate this contrast as we were genuinely pleased with the outcome.

Civilians Are More Than A Number

Although Long Gone Days is not a typical first-person shooter game, it incorporates RPG combat mechanics where players get to select specific body parts to target. However, the game doesn't heavily feature blood, gore, or disturbing sound effects. Instead, it introduces an intriguing element called the Morale system, which aims to provide characters with motivation during battles. By engaging in dialogue, players can influence a character's will to fight, either boosting it or reducing it. Each character possesses unique traits and motivations. If a character's Morale reaches zero, they will lose their determination to continue fighting.

In a movie, you are merely a spectator, observing the actors. However, in this game, you have the power to make choices - the choice to lend a helping hand, the choice to take a life. We have crafted the game to tell a story that evokes empathy in the player, allowing them to grasp the heavy toll of war. Our main characters are not just soldiers, but also civilians who strive for peace.

Long Gone Days delves into the realm of emotions, friendships, and personal narratives. While some may find it overly sentimental, those seeking a fresh perspective on a tumultuous setting might be pleasantly surprised. It will be intriguing to witness how the video game can expand upon its foundation.

Long Gone Days is out now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.