A new immersive exploration game filled with environmental puzzles debuted this week, coming from an experienced developer in the genre and backed by a decent level of fan anticipation. Dimhaven - The Lost Source went through a name change or two and has been in development for some time now, but it's finally arrived, with an intriguing mysterious setting and some cool visual flare.
Developer Zadbox has been in this arena for many years now: their 2016 game Quern - Undying Thoughts is often one of the first shoutouts when people are looking for Myst-style games with more modern design sensibilities. Many years ago that old classic and its follow-ups established a new kind of puzzle game formula, an immersive first-person approach where you're often dropped into a strange setting (magic islands, mysterious manors, etc) with a varying level of "knowing what the heck you're supposed to be doing here."
This new release Dimhaven looks to be taking a very narrative/mystery-forward approach, giving you plenty of setup and featuring characters to interview as you wander the eerie island and run into all manner of problems and strange devices that will require some thinking to figure out. You're playing the role of Emily Ravenstone, armed with her trusty camera and on the hunt for her lost uncle, last seen in this odd little town:
Dimhaven is a remote island in the middle of nowhere, covered with mountains, shrouded in mist and desolation. The once lively tourist paradise is now left almost completely abandoned and isolated by the mysterious events of the last few years.
I don't know too much more than that story-wise, but the visuals of the trailer give us lots of impressions as far as mood, atmosphere and types of puzzle encounters are concerned.
So far I've heard many varying reactions from players, ranging from "this is the kind of modern puzzle game I've been waiting for" to "it's like a less cerebral version of Myst." Your mileage may vary, but the fun eerie atmosphere and the relatively unique low-resolution visual style is enough to pique my interest and get me in the door.
Dimhaven - The Lost Source is available now on Steam with a 15% launch discount, or there's a free demo if you want to start there.
Disclaimer: Thinky Games is a Carina Thinking Games Initiative and may have professional relationships with individuals and businesses related to the subject of this article. Please see our Editorial Policy for details.
