WILL: Follow the Light is one of those games that takes you by surprise. First, I thought it was going to be another intense walking simulator with survival mechanics. Instead, it turned out to be a tough experience where exploration and specialist instruments rule the roost.
This linear narrative adventure was published and developed by TomorrowHead Studio. It is a single-player game that has been optimised for the Xbox Series X. This guarantees a smooth visual performance and 60+FPS. On top of this, the atmosphere pops because of the spatial sound. The result is a game that draws you into every dramatic and dangerous situation. Whether you are on a boat or traversing icy plains, you will be on the edge of your seat.
WILL: Follow the Light tells a horrific story.
You play the role of Will, a quiet lighthouse keeper who lives in a harsh climate. This well-prepared individual lives and dies by their well-organised life. Yet, he cannot predict the future, and a deadly storm upends his life. His young son, Thomas, has been taken by Will’s estranged father. Accordingly, Will takes on a perilous journey into the storm to track them down and piece together his broken family.
The story is brilliantly told through short voiceover clips, segments of lore, and other captivating elements. As you cut from area to area, you must undertake an array of realistic simulated experiences. There is a boat to sail and dog sledging to master. On top of this, you’d better polish up on your physics-based puzzle-solving as this plays a heavy part in your quest for progress.
Realism and puzzles.
Unlike arcade-style games, WILL: Follow the Light relies on a realistic approach. The sailing demands that you trim sails, control the boom, and operate the rudder. There are storm surges to deal with, and navigation is completed using authentic tools, such as a compass. This enhances the sense of realism and makes traversing the sea a challenge rather than a move from A to B. The dog sledging follows suit. You traverse frozen regions where you must manage a fast-paced dog sledge. This sounds easy, but limited visibility and the risk of avalanches must be dealt with.
The puzzles are another phenomenal element of the core mechanics. WILL: Follow the Light has mountains of industrial machinery, broken generators, and a mystical colour-changing lantern that helps you to uncover hidden items. Each of these moments is well-balanced, and I never felt like I had to reach for a walkthrough to get past each puzzle.
WILL: Follow the Light looks amazing.
There is something special about a sinister first-person experience. Although the action is linear by design, you see a massive range of locations. Moreover, each of the areas has a wonderfully oppressive design that adds to the drama. On top of this, everything runs exceptionally smoothly.
The audio is fantastic. The use of ambient sounds and silence works to enhance the oppressive and horrifying scenarios. Moving through each different location was chilling and testing, and I love the way the odd bit of acting broke up the sense of doom.
Excellent controls.
The developer has done an amazing job with their control setup. This can be played with a gamepad or a mouse and keyboard. I tested both, and I preferred my controller. However, if you are a PC gamer, you will love the accuracy and simple button layout. Moreover, the excellent tutorial explains things nicely, so there is no confusion.
Sadly, WILL: Follow the Light is a bit of a short experience. I invested around 6 hours and managed to tackle all the major elements. I think another couple of hours would have completed every achievement. Therefore, longevity is somewhat limited.
WILL: Follow the Light is a great but short experience.
Despite its short playtime, I enjoyed every moment. The story is dark, the puzzles are interesting, and the realistic simulation elements were incredible. Accordingly, it is fantastic, and I recommend buying it here! Can you fight the storm and save your son? Master each vehicle, solve every puzzle, and rebuild your family.
