Try this beautiful new game that just surprise-launched ahead of The Game Awards

digitaltrends.com:

Nothing makes me feel more powerless in this world than the existential threats facing our climate. No matter how many paper straws I use, global warming is not a problem I have virtually any power to stop. So long as mega corporations keep pumping pollution into the atmosphere, all I can do is sit on the sidelines and try to fight back against approaching riptides.

It’s with that incurable despair that I appreciate environmental art that’s as optimistic as Naiad. The new minimalist adventure game by a single developer, which surprise-launched today during Wholesome Games’ cozy gaming stream, chronicles the story of a water creature who is sworn to protect a river. Over a few hours, players embark on a downstream journey that highlights the beauty of nature and the human recklessness that threatens it. But rather than wallowing in dread, Naiad offers hope that the seemingly hopeless work we do today could make an impact long after we’re gone.

The early chapters of Naiad are instantly captivating. When it begins, the camera looks straight down on a vibrant river scene. The world is a mix of bright colors, almost looking like it was crafted out of paper mache. Before I even start to control my tiny water spirit, I take a moment to soak it all in. I let the hypnotic music flow through me and listen to the sound of distant bugs and birds creating a dense natural landscape. It feels like lying on your back in the woods and experiencing the world in silence.

Once I do take control of the titular Naiad, I quickly get a sense for the adventure’s mechanically light exploration hook. In each chapter, I simply float down the river, which snakes around like a small maze. If I want to rush from point A to point B, I can blow through chapters in no time. But Naiad is built to be taken in slowly. The more I poke around, the more I discover that I can interact with local flora and fauna in small ways. If I sing, I