The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo - Browser Interactive Story Best Played At Night
We all have stories of a school friend sleepover gone terribly wrong, or spectacularly fun. Once, my friend and I wanted to burn his neighbor's boat for bullying a kid with the Down syndrome, but ended up setting aflame half the lake. My stories aren't as sinister as Michael Lutz's The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo, but the game definitely brings out the worst childhood fears, and brings back to life teenage experiences akin to nightmares.
I don't want to spoil the fun telling you the details of this interactive story, but what I can tell you is it is creepy as hell. It's a browser game, and unfortunately mobile is not supported yet, but I sure hope this may turn into a mobile interactive story some time soon.
The story lets you play as an 11 year old version of yourself, as you venture out for a sleepover at your friend's house. The tale mixes a measured doze of options and alternate endings with a creepy feeling of despair that sinks in when you realize you can't find a way out.
You will eventually find it, and it most probably won't take you more than 15 minutes because the game is short, and this is one of its allures - within a short period of time you can go through enough options to sort it out, but the experience is intense. Ultimately, you realize if you act like normal self, being polite and curious, you inevitably end up in a very bad situation. Remember, you can replay from the start or from a set point in the story, and if you fail, keep trying - it's worth it!
I bet the story and made it out, but don't feel satisfied with myself. In this game, the first failure counts more than the success at the fourth attempt, and here is why. It brings up the issue of how we, humans, suppress the gut feeling when it tells us 'Danger!' and get in trouble because of a stupid inner block that urges us to behave like social beings. The story gives you clues and manages to convey the atmosphere of untold feelings that there is 'something wrong,' but as I played relying on my regular judgment, I inevitably failed, and only when I did things I normally wouldn’t do, did I make it out.
I don't know the platform Lutz used to create his book, but you can try your hand at interactive storytelling with Inklewriter; it's free.
The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo is best played at night, in the dark, with your headphones on, especially if there are people sleeping nearby. It's even better if it's raining. Don’t play it with kids around. A perfect little lullaby for those who hate Halloween, The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo will set the mood for the upcoming celebration of evil. Sweet dreams!
Source: CorrelatedContents. Via: Wired.
