Video games are all about fun and entertainment… but sometimes they can be a little bit more.
There are a million reasons people play video games. For example, if you like interactive stories and visual novels, chances are you’ll enjoy them The Wreck, with its branching narrative, dialogue options and brave protagonist Junon. But when I say brave, I mean it because the 36-year-old failed screenwriter is facing the absolute worst day of her life.
Imagine this: Junon gets a call from the hospital because Marie, her mother, has had a stroke. And when she gets there, she learns that Marie has made her her trusted advocate. In the coming hours, Junon will have to make some very complicated decisions… except, let’s face it, she’s not ready for it yet. So she decides to flee the hospital and her responsibilities… only to end up in a car accident. The absolute worst day, I told you.
We like to talk on the phone The Wreck a “reality-inspired game” because it’s about real life, and more specifically, those moments in life where you play hard mode and face situations you wish you never had to experience. You won’t be surprised if I tell you that the idea for this game came to me after my daughter was in a car accident. Luckily we got out of it okay, but it got me thinking: if things go wrong tomorrow, would I be ready? Probably not.
So clean the wreck, Your role as a player is to help Junon become ready. And you have a special ability to do that: you can access and even dig into their minds. The more you do this, the more you help her process her feelings about that horrible day, the more you unlock new dialogue options that allow Junon – and you – to react differently to what is happening to her.
But Junon has a lot to deal with – the sick mother and the car accident are just the tip of the iceberg. So it’s not enough to think in her mind: if you really want to help her, you have to accompany her as she remembers some of the most important moments in her life. Better yet, explore them to discover their true meaning.
We built these memories as little dioramas that you can travel back and forth in and look for clues. We chose its cyclical architecture to mimic how in real life we sometimes ponder over a memory until it finally reveals its true meaning to us. As you advance, moments that initially seemed trivial blossom with newfound meaning and logical connections. Find them all and Junon will be granted a crucial revelation.
In turn, these revelations will allow Junon to return to the hospital and, strengthened by them, be able to get through this horrific day. New dialogue options will be unlocked, new people will be met, and with your help, Junon will delve into the depths of her past – and heal some of the traumas holding her back in life.
At The Pixel Hunt, we’re like any weird gamer: we love slaying dragons, throwing fireballs, or infiltrating mutant-infested bases… But we also believe that real life is full of deep, important, and powerful stories to explore true, and this video games are the perfect medium for that. Sure, it’s a bit unusual, but hopefully you’ll enjoy helping Junon – and if you’re thinking about your own life while doing it, that would be a tremendous accomplishment for us!
The Wreck is also a story about sisterhood and family relationships – a subject not often explored in games. I wrote it with my sister Coralie and we put a lot of ourselves and our personal experiences together into it, so we really hope you will enjoy it. The Wreck Coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on March 14th.
The Wreck
The pixel hunt
At 36, Junon’s life is in shambles: her career has stalled, she is emotionally numb and her personal life is falling apart. Things come to a head when she is called to the emergency room to find her estranged mother in critical condition. This is the most important day of Junon’s life, and if nothing changes, it could be her last. Relive the past. Experience Junon’s memories and piece together the story of her past, including the tragic mystery that lies at the heart. Change the present. Use your understanding of Junon’s trauma to change how she navigates the day, unlocking new dialogue options and healing broken relationships. Embrace the future. When you are at the bottom there is no other way but up. Help Junon find peace within himself and discover the humor, beauty, and hope that lies in even the darkest days of life.
