Golem (2019 video game)
Golem is a video game developed by Highwire Games for the PlayStation 4 video game console, specifically for the PlayStation VR virtual reality headset. It was released on November 15, 2019.
Golem | |
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Developer(s) | Highwire Games |
Publisher(s) | Highwire Games |
Director(s) |
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Artist(s) |
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Composer(s) | Martin O'Donnell |
Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 4 |
Release | November 15, 2019 |
Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player only |
Development
Golem is the debut game from independent studio Highwire Games.[1] Based in Seattle, the studio was founded in 2015 by former Bungie employees Martin O'Donnell and Jaime Griesemer, alongside Jared Noftle, co-founder of Airtight Games.[2][3] Vic Deleon, another former Bungie employee, left 343 Industries to join the development team as world art director and Travis Brady of Valve joined as character art director.[2]
Golem was developed for the PlayStation 4 and makes use of the PlayStation VR virtual reality headset.[1] The game was developed using Unreal Engine 4.[2] Highwire approached Epic Games' Seattle-based studio for assistance on developing the virtual reality game.[2]
O'Donnell, who serves as the game's composer, launched a Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund a "musical prequel" to Golem, titled Echoes of the First Dreamer.[4]
Release
Golem was first announced in December 2015 at the PlayStation Experience.[1] The game was scheduled to launch on 13 March 2018,[5] but had since been delayed for further polishing. On 19 August, Highwire games confirmed a new Fall 2019 release window.[6]
Reception
The game received mixed reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic, with an average of 59/100 based on 19 reviews.[7]
The game was nominated for "Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition" at the 23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards,[8] and won the award for "Best Dialogue for an Indie Game" at the 2020 G.A.N.G. Awards, whereas its other nomination was for "Best Sound Design for an Indie Game".[9][10]
References
- Griesemer, Jaime (5 December 2015). "Golem from Highwire Games is a PlayStation VR Exclusive". PlayStation Blog. Sony Interactive Entertainment. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- Kuchera, Ben (22 February 2016). "A Seattle supergroup of developers is trying to crack VR's trickiest problems". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- Handrahan, Matthew (18 June 2015). "Bungie, Airtight veterans found Highwire Games". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- Phillips, Tom (11 March 2016). "Destiny composer Marty O'Donnell announces Kickstarter musical project". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- Griesemer, Jaime (9 December 2017). "Golem: The Power of Your Dreams". PlayStation Blog. Sony Interactive Entertainment. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- "Golem Emerges From the Shadows This Fall On Playstation VR". Highwire Games. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- "Golem for Playstation 4". Metacritic. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- Chalk, Andy (13 January 2020). "Control and Death Stranding get 8 nominations each for the 2020 DICE Awards". PC Gamer. Future plc. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- Wilson, Kelly (13 February 2020). "Game Audio Network Guild Announces 18th Annual G.A.N.G. Award Nominees". The Hype Magazine. The Hype Magazine, Inc. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- Tangcay, Jazz (6 May 2020). "'Death Stranding' Sweeps Gaming's G.A.N.G. Awards With Six Wins Including Audio of the Year". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 7 May 2020.