REVIEW: Immortality's original approach elevates the interactive film genre

the latest game Full Motion Video de Sam barlow, creator of Her story e Telling lies, came to undermine those “gamers” who usually ridicule interactive films, precisely because of the supposed lack of interactivity (the criticism may be fair, so far!). Immortality is an interactive puzzle about the cruelty of art, sacrifices in the name of fame and the voyeuristic nature of cinema – being a work capable of rehabilitating the reputation of an entire genre.

Find out what happened to Marissa Marcel

The deceptively simple question we need to answer is: what happened to Marissa Marcel? The actress would become a huge star in the 70s, but ended up starring in three films that were never released to the public. To unravel the mystery, the game requires us to scour different types of footage related to such feature films, such as takes unedited, auditions, table reads and backstage, on a Moviola machine.

The first film, in chronological order, is Ambrose, directed by famed director Alan Fisher in 1968, as an adaptation of the novel The Monks, from 1700. Then we have minksy to thriller 1970s policeman that was interrupted by the death of one of the actors on the set. Finally, almost 20 years later, the last film is Two Of Everything, thriller psychology of 1999.

It is necessary to say that the different styles and shooting techniques are applied in each title according to the period of production with splendor. And if the subject is acting, Manon Gage like Marissa and her characters is also absurd!

The various concepts and metaphors that connect each film and its behind-the-scenes also add layers to the experience that, in my view, is quite profound. One example is the casting of Marissa (a 20-year-old girl) by an older, pseudo-Hitchcockian director to star in and co-write a film about the murder of an artist who abused his muses. This is how the game provides a journey across the full range of literal and figurative dangers of fame and Hollywood.

Gameplay is a breakthrough for interactive movies

To unravel the mystery, the player's focus is to look for patterns in the footage with their main tool: mail cut. The feature, controlled via the cursor, allows the selection of a scene item – such as a face, object or symbol – for the image to be transferred immediately to another video that contains the same item. To use it more effectively, you can also rewind or fast-forward videos.

Of course, there are some limitations, for example: if you click on Marissa's face continuously, the scenes will replay when the matches run out. Therefore, attention must be devoted to the entire setting and objects, like paintings, ashtrays, knives, crucifixes – if it's in the scene, it's probably interactive. Ah, everything happens randomly, without following chronological order: at a given moment you can be in a clip from 1999 and, suddenly, be transported to 1968. Through this, the three films are non-linearly joined and – crucially – from the events that happen between them.

With this in mind, those who haven't played it can ask: how can a game with just a core mechanic of clicking on objects/people to find more scenes be a breakthrough in the interactive film genre? Well, it's play to see! Seriously, one of the coolest features, of find the right frame and time to access something hidden, it's electrifying! The first time it happens is scary, and as you understand how things work in this game, the desire to find out more ends up consuming a few hours of your precious sleep. I will talk more about this in the next topic with a very light spoiler, the warning remains. Thus, the story of Immortality merges brilliantly with its gameplay.

The magic and wonder of Immortality

In certain videos, the rewind refusal will bring you hidden scenes. Therein lies the magic and wonder of Immortality – a story hidden behind the main narrative. These moments develop with a tense soundtrack and controller vibration. Therefore, it is preferable that the control is used instead of mouse and keyboard.

It is in these scenes of a mysterious apparition that the author offers precious parallels for us to create theories of what may have happened to Marissa. It appears superimposed on the image, as if it were another scene shot from the same angle, but slightly different. These are usually full 40-second monologues facing the camera directly, as if facing the player.

The first time I thought I might be seeing things, even from sleep, but the figure was really there asking to be accessed. And finding such hidden scenes is a bit reminiscent of those videos about subliminal messages that, for many like me, were terrifying. It makes sense since terror often works when we question what we're seeing. Immortality evokes this, with the buzz that precedes the apparitions and the strangeness of the figure. Otherwise, I'll leave it up to you to find out by playing!

Masterpiece by Sam Barlow

Sam Barlow is a game designer known for resurrecting the Full Motion Video game (FMV) to Her Story, 2015. In Immortality, he rehabilitates the interactive film genre with fresh air and technical superiority, making it an impressive game overall. It's a mystery that really haunts the player, whether because of the tense moments that can cause a kind of discomfort or the almost obsession with connecting the layers of each film with the frightening figure that may or may not have to do with Marissa's disappearance.

People who have a professional interest in film – whether in acting, production and whatever else, also need to check out the game, as it has a lot to say about the film industry. Barlow nailed it in providing a demanding and meaningful experience for game and movie lovers, especially oddities fans. , David Lynch or Dario Argento. Without a doubt, it has the potential to be among the best cult classics of all time.

Immortality is available for Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows and Steam.

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