Review: Shape of the World is a mystical journey

In Shape of the World, you create your own flora and fauna.

On your left, trees unfurl from the ground to the sky. On your right, a giant orange orb hums with energy. And around your feet scamper little mini Pac-Man ghosts.

Where should you go? What should you do? In Shape of the World, none of that really matters. It's not about the destination; it's about the journey.

Anyone who's played esoteric games like Journey, Rime or Abzu will instantly connect with Shape of the World, a mystical, meditative game set in a world that unfolds around you.

Is there a point to it? After several hours of wondrous exploration, I'm still not sure. You start off floating through a world in which your very presence sparks life.

Bushes and trees burst into existence by your very presence, while paths are suddenly full of creatures jumping around, and oceans are chocka with dolphins and stingrays. Friendly ones, of course. You won't get attacked by a single thing in Shape of the World.

Your only goal appears to be making your way through giant triangle structures dotted around the place. Go through enough, and you'll wind your way up the pyramid and on to another level not dissimilar to the last.

Occasionally, you'll engage with a few things that will make a staircase build up into the sky. Some of them don't seem to head anywhere in particular at all. Maybe that's the point.

Produced by Hollow Tree Games through Kickstarter, Shape of the World isn't without its problems: I was forced to reboot twice due to glitches. I didn't mind. The game's music, combined with its visuals, gave me an aimless but enjoyable, relaxing time.

You'll enjoy it too. As long as you don't need to go anywhere in a hurry.

Shape of the World

Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC
Rating: G
Verdict: A flotation tank for your brain