The Existentialism of Solar Ash and the Magic of its Mushrooms
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- Solar Ash is yet another great game by Heart Machine. It is here to make you sad and think about death and stuff.
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You're overthinking this.
This is such a surface level analysis lmao
@@ProbablyJacob If this is surface level then I praise your restraint.
@cyotee doge Kind of me point - the topic is deep, but it is the kind of deep that is inhospitable to actually exploring. Like the Marianas Trench. The whole thing is a cycle of death, rebirth, and breaking cycles. A monolithic topic about as penetrable as a mile tall obelisk of black steel. Speculation on such a thing can only ever be surface level by its nature.
@@ProbablyJacob this is the perfect encapsulation of how my methhead brain works.
@@minimmats If you really think it's that deep, then it sounds like you think he's actually UNDER-thinking it rather than overthinking 🤔
"Why not support an indie dev who, at the time of me writing this, has yet to commit any breast milk related crime" 🤣
What a crazy world we live in.
That "indie dev" pushed a man into suicide with the publisher behind it celebrating those actions calling it heroic
@@bamban_garcia5562 Zoe Quinn was involved with this game?
@@benito1620 Yes she was the so called "narrative design" behind it
The fact that this dev associates with someone like Zoe Quinn after all the garbage she's tried to pull makes me question them. I know they say separate the art from the artist but actually funding people that clearly share the same garbage idea's as someone like Zoe Quinn is a no for me. She'll never face consequences either for the so clearly made up story to sabotage a man's career which then pushed him to the edge.
@@HonkeyKong54 Do not forget the publisher behind this also supported those actions even went so far to call pushing a man into suicide as heroic
I like to believe Wretched Rei is someone who is going through the grief after loss, and Echo represents acceptance in grief.
This is like actually what the game is about, this video incredibly overshot the meaning
Ok Im sold on Solar Ash now.
The bit about everything looking like its breathing when ur on mushrooms is one of my favorite parts about tripping that doesnt get a lot of fanfare
Tbh I kinda assumed that rei is the will to live who keeps on resuscitating echo and echo is bitter in some ways because sure they're alive but they are also in and out of the pain of life. The other characters are people pushing their ideas onto her.
The doctor saying give up.
The religious person saying you need to beg for penance.
The people who have to constantly grieve for you over and over every time they hear you're in the hospital again. Will you die this time? We don't know.
But when rei and echo finally fuse to me it kind of looks like a flatline. Thus ending the game with the ambiguity of death
Cause no one knows what happens.
And them I saw the final cutscene.... and I take back this comment
This metaphor is still valid if you see it as trying to heal their condition.
Rei being the ever new hope of another surgery or medication, adding maybe a little bit of time but always suffering through it.
And finally by accepting the truth, beginning to live, instead of struggling for a false hope.
RIP to any game reviewer that wants to tackle symbolism. Jacob as this approach covered. Jesus Christ. Also as a vet suffering some heart conditions I'm buying this and Hyper Light Drifter right fat now. Wow.
I can't believe the whole game was actually about beans.
_"There's only particular type of mushroom you're all waiting for me to bring up."_
Cordyc- erm, I mean psilocybin, of course.
Loved Drifter, loved Solar Ash's reveal trailer, but I kinda forgot about it until now. Definitely getting it next sale because I'm sold just from the start of the video (and don't wanna spoil it)
Also, it's on epic, not steam
if you haven't bought it by now, it's currently on sale (on Epic). :)
Always do your homework when hunting for and/or doing shrooms.
Be safe.
The Epic Games curse. So many games come out in it that get ZERO coverage until they release on steam. Bloodroots, Atomicrops, there are so many indies that release there that spend the first year of their lives dead. I know that Epic gives them a shitzillion dollars for exclusivity, and that if not for the Fortnite money a lot of these indies would have to seek out other routes for funding, but it condemns many games to middling success.
Whoo! I Mush Loved your mushroom spiel, great stuff!! Psychedelics have tremendously helped me overcome my fear of death, as well as overall improvement to my life. Thanks for this incredible video, wasn't expecting such a well thought out opinion on pychedelics and what happens when we die this morning from video game review!
This is a skating game
I think i know enough, a must buy from me now
"[...]Needs to roll around-"
Don't say it, Jacob...
"At the speed of sound."
Damn it.
Literally why is this dude so underrated this deserves so much more views
I could FEEL the preemptive anger at people comparing this with dark souls
I study ecological aspects of Psilocybin mushrooms, its something people overlook. It might not pertain to much to your video, just thought you might find it interesting theres a whole other world of taxonomy and ecology pertaining to these mushrooms. I dont often think about the drug aspect of them...
i love the art design of this game, whereas any other 3d game with a "low poly style" could've done the bare minimum and claimed it as a style, this game really put in the effort to get the most out of it's artists. good job yall
As a catholic I have never heard that take before lol, I found it funny and interesting. However I will just say from the history we know communion is based more off of early Christians having an actual meal together. Thats my understanding at least . Loved the video!
There is a fringe theory that has been mostly debunked that christianity started as a mushroom cult. If youre interested in the concept out of curiosity there is a book called "The sacred Mushroom and the Cross"
@@ProbablyJacob that sounds real interesting, ill see if its an audio book. Ty mushroom man love ur content keep up the good work
great discussion with intriguing insights and well-placed humor - appreciate you creating and sharing the vid.
as far as i can tell, this game is criminally underplayed and unknown to the masses. learning how small the dev team was, it's remarkable how fun, inventive, smooth, and polished the game is. the art direction, the writing/collectibles, the VAs, the little hidden scenes of birdhouses you can find that serve no purpose - it's all such a joy. then layer on top some existential dread paired with the quandary of inevitable death... chef's kiss.
the pathless had been my favorite indie gem up until now but solar ash is stealing that crown for sure. hats majorly off to Alex Preston and sending him well wishes along with a big big thank you for creating something so lovely, fun, and deep.
While I've never played Drifter this game has been on my radar for some time because its the closest thing to an open world 3D platformer that I've seen in a long time. I miss these types of games and while I like the 2D Metroidvanias its not quite the same.
Have you played a hat in time or Bowser's fury? bowsers fury is not huge but it's open world and a hat in time has absolutely massive open levels.
@@leftovernoise I've been debating on playing both, but Ive been occupied playing games like Hollow Knight and Blasphemous.
You might enjoy Pathless. Jacob reviewed that also.
Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles. Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up. This is the trick. This is what all these teachers and philosophers who really counted, who really touched the alchemical gold, this is what they understood. This is the shamanic dance in the waterfall. This is how magic is done. By hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering it's a feather bed.
― Terence McKenna
Based
I absolutely love this game I'm currently playing threw it on my Xbox and something that surprises me is literally just completing the main story gives you rare achievements which really speaks to how few people know about this game
Good vid Jacob. Love a healthy amount of existential dread in the morning.
6:44 HEY!!
It's not My fault that My PC is shit and i have no money.
T-T
i love the tender of the gardens at the end stating specificall how long ago they died. the mushroom aliens in star control 2 also do that, except they kinda just possess living ones through genetic memory or something
Great Scott Pilgrim reference in the description.
I've just finished it and it was a blast. Absolutely gorgeous and fun (and fast). I strongly recommend picking this up on Sale. You can feel Heart Machine's love.
just replayed this game again, great video
Content man coming in with another absolute banger
Hyper Light was pretty incredible, looking forward to this. Movement seems similar to Pathless, which is a compliment worth taking note of.
I really liked your analysis of this game. The only thing I might add as part of the concept, is the game seems to be also about accepting the dark parts of ourselves. It's similar to some of Carl Jung's theories, about integrating the shadow, or acknowledging and validating the dark parts of ourselves which are usually manifested through unconscious. Everything is a dance of opposites.
finished the game the other day and just watched this. incredible video! i hadn't noticed how deeply imbedded mushrooms were into the game until you went into such great detail. Makes me love this already phenomenal game even more.
I found you through your hyper light drifter review, pretty cool!
Came here after just finishing off the game. Needed some details filled in on the story and you gave me that and so much more. Fantastic video on what is a truly spectacular game. Also cool to see you talking about a fungal network BEFORE The Last of Us went and changed their lore to make that a thing in the HBO show version.
That documentary changed my life.
6:03, funny you should mention that. A random customer slipped a single shroom in my coworker's pocket last night.
She knew him, he did not have any recollection of her.
23:00 I actually see images and things like that all the time.
I love that Scott Pilgrim reference in the description
I kind of didnt get the whole mushroom thing when i played the game, and upon finishing it i read it as a tale about loss, grief, cycle of bargaining for a redo, agony that comes with realising that you've crossed the point of no return, the "star seed" being a metaphor for false hope that sucks you back into a spiral of bargaining and panic. The final boss fight is your ego in agony, and your true self is trying to save the ego from selfharm, before they reunite and decide to move on.
"there is alot of work, alot of rebuilding, but this place is not without potential" is them reflecting on the state of their life post-loss.
The story kind of reminds me of Gods Will Be Watching (especially the free epilogue DLC). I loved Hyper Light Drifter so I'm excited to pick this one up once it hits Steam!
"You can't kill me in a way that matters"
But seriously, this game looks hella fun and I adore the art style.
Jfc I dont think I've ever teared up just from hearing a plot summary😭 Theres a first time for everything I guess😭😭😭
Oh its me. I’m weird freaks. Thanks for the shoutout.
Hey this isn’t Hellpoint
Hearing something about philosophy and video games is so satisfying to hear from jacob
This video is amazing. I'd say it is to date your best work! Covered some very heady topics and have put into words what I've been trying to say since I was teen and experienced my first mushroom trip. Well done friend. I think I may have to try this game out
Oh! Cool!
The game came out finally, was waiting for it
Figured you were gonna make a video of it eventually
It's crazy how life works, I just ended Solar Ash after getting sober from a mushroom trip. This video was the perfect cherry on top of my day.
synchronicity
yo this is pretty af. got that no mans sky vibe.
Oh boy I neeeed this game's soundtrack
"you cannot kill me in a way that matters" 🍄
I wasn't planning on getting it, but I probably will now.
I sunk 11 hours into solar ash Bc of the story and symbolism in it 🤞🏾🤞🏾
Ngl I was lowkey disappointed this one, still a fever dream in a field of great ideas tho.
*Is it just me, or does the audio feel right channel heavy?*
"Roll around at the speed of sound" 🎶
You have a lovely way with words!
Jacob, did you ever do a review on Furi?
I would love to get your opinion on the "git gud" samurai.
I hope you will make another video on the Umbra, perhaps delving into the real fungi and biology that was referenced with them, both in the terms used like "Hyphae" and "spore" and in their visual designs, as in what real life fungi were being referenced in the design of the Elders and Ahrric and such. And also, look into their lore and such :D
It's surprisingly easy to forget that you yourself are on the menu for scavengers and decomposers
Been wait for this video since you video on drifter
i love your content dude. you are doing great things with the medium of games. keep up the good work
Badger badger badger, mushroom mushroom.
Just finished this game. Great reading on it I fully agree with you. really enjoyed it
Didn't expect to be called a weird freak today. Thanks for the vid
I think it's particularly deep, other stories have done the same topic better but it's a unique expression of the idea.
Great job man outside of the actual game I appreciate your thoughts
Mushrooms have been shown to dramatically help people with PTSD.
Shrooms are very interesting To think about. Love me some fictional shroom boys.
What a great title, solid vid
I did the speedrun achievement and the hardcore one on the same run :p
great fucking video dude. one of your best. hope it goes viral!
“it’s probably going to take you a second to see it because it’s very subtle” 23:00
well okay, so i started to wander with my eyes and…..WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH THAT MOON I SEE IT (to the left in the sky)
Actually it’s become even scarier when you continued leaving that shit completely without attention and proceeding about shrooms’ movement
don't worry about it :)
Banging! We dropped a rap explaining the philosophy of Existentialism 🔥🔥🔥🔥
You know how ratchet and clank a crack in time had the hoverboots be used in a few big areas and some platforming? I feel like solar ash is that but it looks like the devs added to it.
had to stop watching the video because in the first few minutes you made me want to play the game! I"ll definitely be coming back around once I finish it.
im too lazy to come up with a comment that properly conveys how much i appreciate your interesting viewpoints, but that was a fucking awesome video, god damn.
I need more games to give me ego death. I'll definitely pick it up.
Holy macaloly this looks absolutely amazing. I wish this would come to the Nintendo switch that would be dope
I just want a new hyperlight drifter
look up Hyperlight Breaker
how dare you Jacob,
I. AM. NOT. A. FREAK
i want to be atomized by the event horizon
Really nice review, thanks Jacob!
This was enven more interesting than I anticipated, Thank you.
naruto in fortnite is now my new nightmare in real life
Spoiler:
Each of the remnant bosses you fight are pieces of Rei from each of the times she restarted the timeline. That's why she recognizes them later down the line. Specifically the sword one she says she recognizes it as if from a dream. The story was well done, I was on the same page as Rei right up until I went up to the final Star Link to try and fix it. After hearing Tufte's logs I was like hmmm. So I definitely played with Rei's perspective for the whole game as intended and the big uh oh at the end totally got me. It was a great game. Definitely gonna replay it.
Mushrooms are dope
tony hawk's shadow of the colossus
Very fun review! Thx, Jacob.
Love it, subscribed.
So all Religions and all their gods basically root in mushroom abuse. Got it.
10 seconds in.. yep never heard of it.
Shroomed up!
Admittedly I was more interested in the mushrooms mentioned in the title than the game.
omg I have this game. I was hoping for deep analysis for this.
Interesting analysis I can't necessarily disagree with. Although I didn't think of the life/death cycle of the person as much as I looked at the game more about commentary on environmentalism and humanity's refusal/acceptance of massive lifstyle change in order to better our role on earth. But hey, that's the beauty of stories like these - is any interpretation wrong? Well, surely yes, but...well...anyway, thanks for the vid.
Mushroom
For a retro review or two may I recommend my two favorite platformers currently rain world and mo astray not new but quality choice's rain world is still being worked on just slowly
Well I’m a weird freak
Aaaand of course its only on Epic games. FFS. I was about to immediatelly buy it after seeing the black hole in the first 5 seconds on the video.