Umurangi Generation was more than just a visually appealing cyberpunk photography simulator; it served as a reflection on climate catastrophe and a commentary on worldwide capitalist dominance. It’s surprising to learn that Origame Digital, the studio behind it, has announced a new project titled Penguin Colony, where players assume the role of penguins with unique abilities.
However, this isn’t just a whimsical adventure; the Steam page for Penguin Colony indicates it draws inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft’s At The Mountains of Madness.
Features Include:
- Waddling, sliding, and swimming mechanics
- An expansive Antarctic landscape to explore at your leisure
- Encounters with buried horrors under the ice
As described in the game, the penguin protagonist is part of a failed expedition and experiences a nonlinear perception of time. You, as the player, awaken as a penguin stirred by a distant flare and must help the narrator.
While At The Mountains of Madness is not narrated from a penguin’s viewpoint, it centers on a doomed Antarctic expedition led by Dr. William Dyer from Miskatonic University, whose narrative takes a dark turn emerging from incomprehensible cosmic forces.
Origame Digital mentions: “The only one who can hear his cries for help is you, a penguin awakened by a flare in the distance.”
I’m intrigued to see what unique skills and challenges will await players in Penguin Colony’s unlockable penguin characters.
Although no release date has been set yet, Origame Digital plans to share a trailer and demo soon.
