Shape of the World is an abstract and slightly psychedelic walking simulator. It was made by Hollow Tree Games and was funded by Kickstarter.

As is usual with walking simulators, it is mellow and relaxing. What sets it apart is that it is procedurally generated. That is, the world is created as you walk through it. Trees, bushes, rocks and more spring into being as you walk. So the world is different each time you enter it.

You can also interact with the world, planting trees where you want them and removing them when they are in the way.

If there is any goal to the game it is to find the large triangular portal to the next world. If you can’t see it, just follow the little flying creatures and they will lead you there. But you never have to leave a world you like. You can just keep exploring forever.

The game slowly evolves as each new world changes color schemes and adds an additional feature to generate. Trees might not appear until the second world. Boulders may not appear until the third. And so on. And there are always new creatures who skitter around in cute ways aided by a simple artificial intelligence.

That’s it – simple, calming and delightful with a very nice sound track which also evolves. It has a professional feel to it which earns it a solid…

Grade B

+ Walking simulator with no goals + No two sessions are ever the same + You can interact with the world – Color choices sometimes make it hard to see