Pilgrims (video game) explained

Pilgrims
Developer:Amanita Design
Publisher:Amanita Design
Designer:Jakub Dvorský[1]
Composer:Floex[2]
Platforms:Windows
iOS
Linux
macOS
Nintendo Switch
Released:6 October 2019[3]
Nintendo Switch
3 November 2022
Android
17 April 2024[4]
Genre:Graphic adventure
Modes:Single-player

Pilgrims is a graphic adventure game developed and published by Amanita Design. The game was released for Linux, macOS, Windows, and Apple Arcade on 6 October 2019, Nintendo Switch on 3 November 2022, and the iOS App Store and Android devices on 17 April 2024. Pilgrims was one of the first games distributed through Apple Arcade.[5]

Development

The game was developed by a team led by Jakub Dvorský. It was in development for two years. The idea for the game came from a card mini-game found in Samorost 3.[6]

Gameplay

Pilgrims is a point-and-click adventure game. The player controls an adventurer who wants to take a boat ride, but the owner of the boat refuses to take him until he catches a bird for her. He is eventually joined by other characters (a crone, a devil, a robber and a princess). Each of them has a problem that the player has to solve in order to get the elusive bird, but also an ability to help him with his quest.[7]

The world is made up of a collection of scenes which can be traversed using a world map. While looking at a scene, the player can click on objects to pick them up. Objects that have been collected, as well as characters who have joined the player, are represented by a deck of cards under the scene view. Cards can be dragged from the deck onto the scene in order to use them. For several problems the player can apply multiple solutions by choosing another character or another item. So the story can differ somewhat in different playthroughs.[8]

Reception

Pilgrims received positive reviews from critics. Games.cz gave it 8/10, stating that it was a nice walk through the world of Czech fairy tales and humor.[9] Rock, Paper, Shotgun praised the game's concept and replayability value.[8] Adventure Gamers gave Pilgrims an "excellent" rating.[10]

Accolades

Year Award Category Result Ref
2019Czech Game of the Year AwardsMain Award[11]
Audiovisual Execution[12]
2020The New York Game AwardsA-Train Award for Best Mobile Game[13]
Central & Eastern European Game AwardsBest mobile game

Notes and References

  1. Web site: České studio Amanita Design vydává novou hru Pilgrims . Vortex.cz . 13 October 2019 . cs.
  2. Web site: Kouzelná česká hra připomíná pohádky o Rumcajsovi, uhrane hláškami i grafikou . Aktuálně.cz. 13 October 2019 . cs . 10 October 2019.
  3. Web site: Four New Games Were Added To Apple Arcade, Including The Surprise Release Of Pilgrims . Kotaku . 6 October 2019 . 13 October 2019.
  4. Web site: Morris . Iwan . April 16, 2024 . Pilgrims is a quirky, European folk-tale inspired puzzle game coming to App Store and Google Play . July 30, 2024 . . en.
  5. Web site: Amanita Design Just Released 'Pilgrims' Which Is a Brand New Adventure Game Available Now in Apple Arcade . TouchArcade . 13 October 2019 . 7 October 2019.
  6. Web site: České studio Amanita Design vydává novou pohádkovou adventuru. Hra Pilgrims vychází i na Apple Arcade . CzechCrunch . 13 October 2019 . cs . 6 October 2019.
  7. Web site: Livingston . Christopher . Makers of Samorost and Machinarium release a quirky new adventure game, Pilgrims . PC Gamer . 13 October 2019 . 7 October 2019.
  8. Web site: Walker . John . Wot I Think: Pilgrims . Rock, Paper, Shotgun . 13 October 2019 . 8 October 2019.
  9. Web site: Skoták . Pavel . Pilgrims – recenze nové hry od Amanity . Games.cz . 13 October 2019 . 10 October 2019 . cs.
  10. Web site: Cress . Laura . Pilgrims review . . 13 October 2019 . 11 October 2019.
  11. Web site: Českou hrou loňského roku jsou pohádkoví Pilgrims od Amanity . Ceskenoviny.cz . 26 September 2020 . cs.
  12. Web site: Známe nominace na Českou a Slovenskou hru roku . games.tiscali.cz . 15 July 2020 . cs.
  13. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . The New York Game Awards Announces 2020 Nominees . . 4 January 2020 . 2 January 2020.