Da Neel
Daniil Ermakov, online name: Da Neel, has been releasing on Game Jolt for a little under a year, and already he is an irreplaceable staple of the community.
Besides his fantastic visual style, Da Neel’s narrative play is fascinating. You can see hints and homage to other works, media that inspired him, breathing within his games.
A Box Full of Neel
Da Neel has released 12 games on Game Jolt so far. Here are three of my favorites:
The Sun Does not Exist
Drawing visuals and elements from Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Lothing, The Sun Does not Exist does not live solely as an monument to the gonzo writer. It feels like a reimagining: capture a frame of Terry Gilliam’s film while our protagonists cruise through the sand. With just the image, where do you see them going? What do you think they’re doing? This game subverts expectations; less a fan-game, more a reimagining.
Moon Valentine
Moon Valentine is a game about a lost loved one. And then things get real strange. Like The Sun Does not Exist, Moon Valentine draws from various sources for inspiration but covers new ground. More mechanics and puzzles than straight story, this experience lends a good balance.
Vernacular
One of Da Neel’s more experimental works, Vernacular is an obscure collection of vignettes. Uncover clues and learn how to interact. This game’s charm lies in discovery. With no fail states, the player is free to explore at their own pace.
CloneJamDaNeel
If you enjoyed that sampling of Da Neel games (and we know you did), you should join in on CloneJamDaNeel, September 25 - 27. Be inspired by strange films and draw from the media you love.
Further Playing
These two games are also fantastic and are worth a good play or two.
Further Reading
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