While out traveling through the barren deserts of Utah a flash flood hits. Your jeep doesn't make it, and a split second decision decides if you live or follow your jeep into a watery grave. But making that choice is just the start of your adventure in Michael Sterling and Tia Orisney's survival-based interactive fiction title, Kane County. With only so much food on you and very little water, you must make wise choices as you scour the desert for any sign of life and ways to make sure your own life keeps on going. You have two choices for the type of character you are... a survivalist or an athlete climber. Each one comes with different benefits and weaknesses, but in the end it relies on you and what risks you care to take and the path you chose to follow.
There are two stats you must keep your eye on, your stamina and your water level. You can replenish either at any time by clicking on the 'water' or 'food' items in your inventory. However, you don't get to pick which food item or which water item you use. While it's not that big of a deal, sometimes your character will eat a more sketchy item first over, say, a granola bar. You need your stamina high if you want to be a bit more of a risk taker and do more climbing or physical things. The game automatically checks if your level is high enough and then lets you know the outcome. If either your food or stamina level runs out, your bones will be lost forever in the cruel wilderness. While you have to refresh the page to start all over, Kane County is one where you want to play through again. There are a lot of different risks to take, and you never know if it will be worth it or not. Sometimes you'll just want to go back to see if your choice was the best one. Not all the choices are simply right and wrong, and it can make it enjoyable to go and try again in this unforgiving land. So get your hiking boots on and grab your canteen because it's a long way to civilization.
I liked this. I live near these canyons. For those of you who think this adventure implausible, I can personally vouch for similar experiences. Just a few months, ago 7 hikers lost their lives in a flash flood here. And yes the first time I played, I expired. Learned my lessons and succeeded the second go round.
I would like to see this scenario applied to the streets of NYC or the Alps or Oktoberfest in Nuremberg. Maybe even a few museums, although that has been done many times before.
I second that, me!
Enchanting game. I made it on the third try. Everything seemed very realistic, and much more relaxing than I expected. Definitely scratches that survival documentary itch. 5/5, highly recommended! :)
Oh, no disrespect intended for the real-life tragedy you mentioned. :(
Of course, no disrespect was intended. Life happens. Mother nature is a fickle goddess.
I loved it! This game was incredibly creative and challenging!
Did anyone else have ALOT of trouble with surviving the homestead? The river was easy-peasy, but the homestead kick my behind 3 times in a row.
Nevertheless, its a great game and I think a lot of people will like it!
A very, very enjoyable piece, right on the fuzzy line between interactive fiction and game. The atmosphere was terrific, the fiction was engaging, and the challenges were fairly realistic.
My only real gripe was that
the homestead decided to burn down while I'm in it after sitting there long enough to be ruined. Seriously? What are the chances of that. I just started laughing because it was proof that the world really is out to get me.
To be fair though, this was only an issue because the rest of the game was so realistic. I wouldn't even have blinked at it in another context.
For those of you with homestead troubles, try playing as survivalist. I never encountered a homestead, a jeep, but no homestead. (Assuming you played as athlete.)
I've only played once but I appreciate an unpleasant realistic aspect-- sometimes even if you do the smart thing, you get hurt. Down into the canyon or stay on the surface? Search for resources or work on the shelter? Sometimes it doesn't matter. There's some platitude re: eating/being eaten vis a vis a bear..?
Wow, great game!
Kind of bothered me that I died of thirst after spending half the day on the river tho :{
I decided not to drink the muddy water thinking I could get some clean water while in the "boat" but I guess it makes more sense to fall asleep than fill up a bottle
gonna go try again
I like these interactive fiction style games, but it is challenging to find a good one.
This one is good.
Lots of replay value in trying different options for survival. Reminds me of a text-based Oregon trail except with far more opportunities to kick the bucket.
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