Jason Savio

Who knew a video game could be so relaxing?

Most times when you’re in the midst of playing a video game you’re on the edge of your seat, stressing out and yelling. But Gravity Ghost is a completely different kind of animal, a blissful and serene experience that all gamers should try.

Indie developer Ivy Games has taken a simplistic approach with the puzzle-centric Gravity Ghost and it works to its benefit. The story follows a young girl named Iona as she floats through a version of outer space following an unfortunate turn of events. We learn about her and her family through a series of cut-scenes sprinkled throughout the game, explaining how she got to where she is. It can take a while to get to where it’s going, so you just need to bear with it.

In this trippy version of outer space, gravity is the name of the game (pun intended) as you, playing as Iona, you jump from planet to planet, trying to capture stars that allow you to open up doors to other constellations that make up the game map. But the planets pull you in, and you have to try to stretch far out enough from their reach to get the stars. The setup and number of planets you must navigate become increasingly bigger as you bounce around like a ball in a pinball machine and swim in the ether, tethered to the nearby orbs.

If that isn’t mind boggling enough for you, there is a giant talking salamander colored in a variety of neon hues.

There is a strong connection here to the afterlife and themes of loss and rebirth. With long, flowing hair, Iona collects “animal spirits” and brings them to their skeletons, allowing them to become a new version of themselves. It makes for quite a somber tone for a video game, one that can be felt permeating around Gravity Ghost.

That’s not to say Gravity Ghost isn’t fun, because it is. It can be challenging at times but not in a way that will frustrate. Part of that might have to do with the tranquil music, part of that might also have to do with the encouragement that, even in death, nothing is ever really over.

For more information visit: gravityghost.com.