''Samorost'' is a

puzzle A puzzle is a game, Problem solving, problem, or toy that tests a person's ingenuity or knowledge. In a puzzle, the solver is expected to put pieces together (Disentanglement puzzle, or take them apart) in a logical way, in order to arrive at th ...

point-and-click adventure game developed by Amanita Design. The first game of the ''Samorost'' series was released in 2003 for free on the Amanita Design website. Two sequels were released, '' Samorost 2'' in 2005 and '' Samorost 3'' in 2016. The game was remastered and released on May 20, 2021, for Windows and macOS for free. iOS and

Android Android may refer to: Science and technology * Android (robot), a humanoid robot or synthetic organism designed to imitate a human * Android (operating system), Google's mobile operating system ** Bugdroid, a Google mascot sometimes referred to ...

ports were also made.

Gameplay

The player interacts with the world with a simple point and click interface directing a small, white-clad humanoid with a little cap and brown boots (called simply "gnome" by Dvorsky). The goal of the ''Samorost'' games is to solve a series of

s and brain teasers. The puzzles are sequentially linked forming an adventure story. The game contains no

inventory Inventory (American English) or stock (British English) refers to the goods and materials that a business holds for the ultimate goal of resale, production or utilisation. Inventory management is a discipline primarily about specifying the shap ...

dialogue Dialogue (sometimes spelled dialog in American English) is a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people, and a literary and theatrical form that depicts such an exchange. As a philosophical or didactic device, it is c ...

, and the solving of puzzles mainly consists of clicking on-screen elements in the correct order. Solving a puzzle will immediately transport the

player character A player character (also known as a playable character or PC) is a fictional character in a video game or tabletop role-playing game whose actions are controlled by a player rather than the rules of the game. The characters that are not control ...

to the next screen. The game features surrealistic, organic scenarios that mix natural and technological concepts (often featuring manipulated photographs of small objects made to look very large), creative character designs and a unique musical atmosphere. Music tracks are available through

iTunes iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...

Plot

The game starts as Gnome looks through telescope in his House. He suddenly spots a planet moving towards his home planet. He goes to his airship Polokonzerva and flies to the Planet. He lands on the planet and after some adventures he finds an engine room of the planet. He changes the planet's course so it narrowly misses Home Planet. Gnome then returns home as cheering is heard.

Development

''Samorost'' was created by Jakub Dvorský while he was a student at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, in the department of Graphic Design and Visual Communication in 2003. Although short and simplistic in its gameplay, its surreal graphics and memorable score made the game stand out. The object of the game is to avert a collision between the

gnome A gnome is a mythological creature and diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, first introduced by Paracelsus in the 16th century and later adopted by more recent authors including those of modern fantasy literature. Its characte ...

's home planet and a large incoming spaceship. ''Samorost'' was nominated for the Webby Award in 2004 and the Top Talent Award in 2003.

Etymology

Samorost is a Czech word that is used to describe objects sculpted from discarded wood (roots, trunks, branches, etc.), usually for decorative purposes. The protagonist of the game lives on an asteroid that resembles such an object. Another meaning of 'samorost' is "maverick." The word is composed of the parts '' samo-'' ("self, auto-") and ''rost'' (form of ''růst'', "to grow"). This could also be translated as "vagabond," "self-identifier," "individualist," or "wanderer," especially in the context of the protagonist.

Soundtrack

A soundtrack for the video game ''Samorost'' was "selected by Amanita Design's founder Jakub Dvorský from various sources". It wasn't officially released on any format; however, it was ripped from the game by a fan and uploaded to the internet. Composer Floex provided music for the 2021 remaster.

Notes

References

External links

* {{Authority control 2003 video games Adventure games Amanita Design games Flash games Freeware games Independent Games Festival winners Indie video games Linux games Point-and-click adventure games Video games developed in the Czech Republic Video games set on fictional planets Windows games MacOS games Art games Single-player video games