Mindfield Games has released P.O.L.L.E.N – an original, first-person exploration adventure game fully designed to be played on both traditional monitors and virtual reality devices – on Windows PC and as a near-final beta on Oculus Rift. The title features mouse/keyboard and gamepad support, with remaining VR optimizations expected to arrive as a free update soon after launch.
P.O.L.L.E.N has been crafted to deliver two experiences in one game: a captivatingly atmospheric journey through a seemingly abandoned lunar station on standard displays, as well as a deeply immersive and engaging dive into a fully detailed virtual reality world in which nearly every object may be interacted with. Even the simplest item can be the key to unlocking one of the many puzzles and secrets lurking within this 5-8-hour voyage.
Inspired by the existential suspense and retro futuristic designs of science fiction classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Solaris and more, P.O.L.L.E.N transports players to the surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. Set in an alternate future where the space race between the U.S. and Soviets never ended and mega corporations colonize the solar system, players must investigate the disappearance of one of the station’s crew members on the eve of a historic discovery.
P.O.L.L.E.N is available today with Oculus Rift support on Windows PC through Steam, GOG.com, the Humble Store and Playfield for $24.99. It is expected to arrive on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and HTC Vive later this year.
About This Game
February 2, 1995 – Research Base M, Kraken Mare, Titan.
In an alternate timeline of history, where the Kennedy assassination failed and the internet was never invented, the space race continued to boom as the Soviet and US programs combined their efforts to conquer the vast mineral rich expanse beyond Earth. Handing their findings over to private companies, governments gave way to corporations who would soon establish mining & research colonies all over the Solar System. Owned by one such conglomerate, Station M is a recently built research base of RAMA Industries on the Saturn’s largest moon Titan.
A member of RAMA Industries’ research team has mysteriously disappeared. As a reserve employee of RAMA, you are sent to the windswept surface of Titan to investigate. With a large lunar storm looming on the horizon, you have no choice but to enter the base in search of answers…
P·O·L·L·E·N is an atmospheric, suspenseful and highly interactive first person sci-fi exploration game set on Saturn’s moon Titan.
Inspired by science-fiction classics such as Solaris, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the Moon, P·O·L·L·E·N’s retro futuristic world is an incredibly detailed, living-breathing environment, that feels every bit as real as the one around you. Each step in the shoes of a space mechanic will transport you into the Station M, where you can try everything you can get your hands on to solve intriguing puzzles and uncover the mysteries that lie beneath the moon’s crust.
ONE GAME, TWO EXPERIENCES
Get ready to play P·O·L·L·E·N in two uniquely different ways; a captivating first person exploration game on a traditional monitor, or a fully immersive virtual reality experience that transports you to the surface of Titan.
FULLY INTERACTIVE ENVIRONMENT
Because Station M was created to feel every bit as real as an actual lunar research station, almost everything on the base is interactive. Even a small, simple item could be the key to solving a puzzle, and unlocking one of the many secrets of Station M.
PROFOUND STORYLINE
What lies beneath the surface of Titan? Experience the existential journey of P·O·L·L·E·N that’ll intrigue, surprise, and stay with you long after leaving the base. Return to Station M to discover new layers of the story that may have remained hidden on previous playthroughs.
UNIQUE SOUNDSCAPE
The sounds of Station M also have a story to tell. Listen closely to the atmospheric audio while exploring RAMA’s 13th moon base. P·O·L·L·E·N’s real time binaural soundscape has been designed to let you perceive audio in the most natural way, as human ears hear it.
Game Reviews
“Exactly the kind of game I want to play On Oculus Rift”
◾ Kotaku
“Jumped to the top of my most anticipated games list.”
◾ Game Revolution
“Wonderfully immersive”
◾Techradar
“Enormously atmospheric”
◾ Road to VR
“There was just so, so much to do and I’m convinced everyone who plays this will be kept busy for hours upon hours”
◾A Kirsty Moment
“I’m incredibly impressed with this…Aside from the feeling of ‘Oh my god I’m actually here’ that’s created with the help of both the VR and the sound design, the game is just so pretty. Everything feels like it’s on a space station. Everything feels like it’s meant to be there. Some objects contain vital clues to the mystery that’s surrounding this place, so it’s a good thing that within the first few minutes my ‘explore all the things!’ instinct kicked in”.
◾ Cubed Gamers
“I will buy a VR headset just for this game.”
◾ Gaming Masters