#gafiw

[dk-wren]

Me Being Excited Abt. A New Dontnod Game

Hello and welcome to what feels like my first fan girl post.

Let me start by saying I am a huge fan of Dontnod Entertainment and all the games they have developed and created. From the stories, the characters, the graphics, to even the music (licensed and original), I always know I’m in for a treat whenever I am watching or playing through one of their games, and am also very likely to become obsessed with it soon after.

Which is why I am so excited about their most recently announced game, titled Gerda: A Flame in Winter, with Porta Play!

Oh. My. Goodness. Let me already list off all the reasons why I am so excited for this game (all of which came from a minute teaser trailer):

1) Another narrative driven game baby!

My favorite style of games

2) Set during WW2

As a bit of a history nerd, very interested in learning more about the exact experiences and events that served as the inspiration behind this game (whether it was one person’s story and experience or a combination of stories from several individuals)

3) The art style

While this game appears to have a more distinct art style than the more hyper realistic graphics used with like the absolutely stunning scenery from Tell Me Why, I kinda am in love with it already

4) Finally know the next game to be released/published by DONTNOD Entertainment

Look, I understand games take a while to develop and create, and with everything else going on in the world, I guessed it would be some time before their next game would be announced, especially after two almost back to back games in 2020. So glad to know what’s next now.

5) It’s coming to Switch!

I don’t have to wait for it to be ported

So yes, I’m already super excited for this game, which has been announced for less than a day, and have no idea when in 2022 it will come out. I have rewatched the trailer multiple times throughout the day and quite literally let out a squeal of excitement when I saw the trailer pop up because I had no idea Dontnod was gonna announce a new game today. 

And all I’m gonna add to end this post is if this is my reaction to a minute and ten second teaser trailer, it makes me wonder what my reaction will be when a new trailer comes out with more footage and info, such as a release date? A lot more squealing (maybe even screaming?) and jumping up and down probably.

Very pumped up for this,

DK Wren

[dakotalovesdontnod]

Music Appreciation for Jakob Støvring Hansen - Part 2!

While I have still yet to find the full soundtrack online, here is a wonderful loop of the main menu theme from Gerda: A Flame in Winter (courtesy of Ambient Game Sound on YouTube).

It does a fantastic job of setting the mood of the story, and while it's a little hard for me to describe, I feel it really suits the snowy/winter landscape of the game.

Also, with it being back-to-school time (or approximately around that time), I've enjoyed playing this music in the background while I study. I hope you may also find this music helpful as you study hard or when in need of some nice, chill background noise.

[dakotalovesdontnod]

Music Appreciation for Jakob Støvring Hansen

Composer (and sound designer) for Gerda: A Flame in Winter

Other credits include PortaPlay's previous game Broken Lines.

. . .

I have been trying for a few weeks now to find isolated audio of the music online to go with this post, but I was unfortunately unable to. So as an alternative, enjoy the “Gameplay Overview Trailer,” which includes a few selections of Jakob’s beautiful score heard throughout the game.

[dakotalovesdontnod]

Gerda: A Flame in Winter

Timeline of Games (pt. 8): Gerda: A Flame in Winter

Developed by PortaPlay, Co-Produced by DON’T NOD & PortaPlay

Released on September 1, 2022.

Setting: Tinglev, Denmark, 1945

Gerda Larsen’s world is turned upside down when her husband, Anders, is arrested by the Gestapo after being caught working with the Resistance.

Set in a small, Danish town occupied by Nazi Germany during WWII, where she works as a nurse, Gerda has five days to develop relationships with some of the townspeople that could assist her in her attempt to free Anders. Being half-Danish and half-German, Gerda is able to more or less freely interact with townspeople of both nationalities. And by interacting with these people, Gerda may gain or lose the trust of that person, potentially affecting certain outcomes or choices. 

While trying to find allies or support in her effort to free Anders, Gerda will also learn that despite outer allegiances or ties to certain parties, many townspeople also have interior motives as to why they are doing what they do, occasionally pulling Gerda into their ulterior plans/missions in exchange for promising to assist Gerda when she attempts to free Anders.

Balancing individual and group relationships, collecting valuable goods, and gathering information all play a part in Gerda’s firsthand experience with the war, even if she is not on the front lines, as well as her quest to free Anders.

Collect and balance the following skills:

Compassion

Intelligence

Wit

Develop Relationships with the following groups:

Danes

Germans

Occupation

Resistance