Umurangi Generation

I've always had a soft spot for photography games. As a photographer myself, it's rare when a game manages to capture the thrill of getting the perfect moment on camera. Most of the time, photo mode just isn't enough. That's when you need a game like Umurangi Generation.

From the moment I started playing, I fell in love with the game's retrofuturistic aesthetic. Take all the good things about flashy games like Bomb Rush Cyberfunk and inject them with pure, unadulterated heart, and what you get is a game that's every photographer's dream come true.

A Lens to the Future

As a Māori courier for the Tauranga Express, you're tasked with capturing moments amidst the chaos of an impending alien invasion. Each level presents a wealth of photographic opportunities, from rooftop parties to military checkpoints, and it's up to you to find the perfect shots.

There's a distinct emphasis on creative freedom that makes the core gameplay of Umurangi Generation feel fresh. Rather than simply snapping pictures to meet specific criteria, the game encourages you to explore the environment and experiment with different camera lenses and editing techniques.

That degree of freedom is unthinkable for someone like me, whose favorite photography game will always be Pokemon Snap. If anything, it reminded me more of the photo mechanics of Dead Rising, where you had to get creative to maximize your score.

Crafting the Perfect Moment

As you progress through the game, the narrative gradually unfolds, painting a picture of a world on the brink of collapse. The alien invaders, resembling bluebottle jellyfish, serve as a constant reminder of the impending crisis, and the presence of UN soldiers and towering mecha adds to the sense of unease.

That sort of world-building is what makes the game feel so unique. Sure, the visuals might be a tad basic for some tastes, but it does create a great ambiance to tell a story of creativity and resilience amid chaos. If you liked Beyond Good & Evil, you're going to love Umurangi Generation.

Retrofuturism at its Best

If there's one thing that might dissuade potential players from Umurangi Generation that would be its unique visual style. Personally, I don't mind the PS1-style visuals the game goes for. We've seen that done in countless indie titles before. If anything, I believe it's admirable how much detail the game's developers could cram into such a lo-fi art style.

The amount of tiny details and easter eggs you'll find immediately reminded me of Katamari Damacy. You know how in that game there would be all sorts of crazy easter eggs hidden just under the surface of an average level? That's what Umurangi Generation has to offer, only in a less hectic way, of course.

For photography lovers, or those with a knack for engaging stories, it doesn't get much better than Umurangi Generation.

Pros

• Vibrant, retro-futuristic art style
• Emphasis on creative freedom and exploration
• Surprisingly emotional narrative

Cons

• Occasional technical hiccups or performance issues
• The art style might not appeal to some players