walking

You stand up, and prepare to take your first step towards the table. (link: "Swing your left foot forward")[(set: $steps to 0)(goto:"Left 1")]

(if: $steps is 0)[You swing your left foot forward from the hip for the first time.](if: $steps is 1)[Having completed your first complete step successfully, you swing your left foot forward from the hip, confidently.](if: $steps > 1)[Having completed $steps steps successfully, you carry on by swinging your left foot forward from the hip, confidently.](if: $steps is 5)[ You can see you have almost reached the table.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->Falter]]] [[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->Left 2]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->Falter]]]

(set: $falter to it +1) You mis-step and stumble. You feel like you might not be able to stop yourself from falling... (if: $falter is 1)[[[Try and recover your footing->Falter Succeed]]](if: $falter is 2)[[[Try and recover your footing->Falter Fail]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your left foot, cautiously.](if: $steps > 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your left foot, like a pro.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->Falter]]] [[Roll your left leg through to the toe->Left 3]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->Falter]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You roll your left leg through to the toe, like a newborn deer.](if: $steps > 0)[You roll your left leg through to the toe, as if you've done this a million times before.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->Falter]]] [[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->Right 1]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->Falter]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You swing your right foot forward from the hip, tentatively.](if: $steps > 0)[You swing your right foot forward from the hip, flamboyantly.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->Falter]]] [[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->Right 2]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->Falter]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your right foot, precariously.](if: $steps > 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your right foot, proudly.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->Falter]]] [[Roll your right leg through to the toe->Right 3]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You roll your right leg through to the toe, prudently. ](if: $steps > 0)[You roll your right leg through to the toe, decisively. ] (if: $steps < 5)[(link: "Swing your left foot forward from the hip")[(set: $steps to it + 1)(goto:"Left 1")]](if: $steps is 5)[(link: "Reach the table")[(set: $steps to 0)(goto:"End of first walk")]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <5)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <5)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <5 )[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <5)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->Falter]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <5)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->Falter]]]

You arrive at the table. Phew. [[Look at the table->Table]]

At the last second you regain your balance, and right yourself. However it felt close - you realise that if you mis-step again you will definitely fall. Feeling slightly more stable, you [[start again by swinging your left foot forward from the hip.->Left 1]]

Your hands scrabble for purchase, but find nothing - you're going to fall. The fall is particularly bad, and you hit your head on the floor - darkness rushes towards you and the lights go out. Your last thoughts before being engulfed into the black are about the mysterious circumstances you found yourself in. Perhaps the mystery will never be solved, and any resolution would be unsatisfactory. That is some comfort. ~~The~~ An end. (colour: "#2F4F4F")[`@steve_bromley`] [[Play again?->Intro]]

<span style="font-size: 120%">Walking Simulator</span> <img src="http://stevebromley.com/games/walking/walking.jpg" width="50%" align="middle" alt="Walking"> Welcome to Walking Simulator. [[What is a walking simulator?->Explain]] [[Play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

'Walking simulators' are usually narrative-led games that use the environment and exploration as a way to tell a story. The term 'walking simulator' is often used in a mean way to describe these games because they don't have a lot of shooting in them. I've played a few, would you like me to recommend one? [[Yes->Recommend]] [[No - let's get on and play this one.->Intro]]

You awake with a start, and take stock of your surroundings. Looking down, you notice that you are lying on a sofa bed that has been covered with a sheet. The sheet is dirty and has an dark substance on it... blood? An IV is stuck hastily on the wall next to you with duct tape. Although it's no longer attached to you, it appears that you have been here for a while. The room feels recently vacated, like someone... or more than one person... were just here. [[Look around the room.->The Room]]

Do you prefer... [[Space Ships->Tacoma]] [[Empty Houses->Gone Home]] [[Family History->Edith]] [[Detectives->Virginia]] [[Heists->Loving]] [[Preventing Fires->Firewatch]] [[Working in an office->Stanley]] [[Stealing Tigers->Tigers]] [[Game Development->Beginners]] [[Having no idea what's going on->Proteus]]

Tacoma is a 2017 game, where the player is tasked with collecting an AI from an abandoned space-station. Over the game you learn the fate of the space-station's former residents. It takes a couple of hours to play through, and is an intriguing premise! [[Recommend another game->Recommend]] [[No more recommendations, let's play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

Gone Home is a 2013 game, where the player returns to their family home after a long vacation to find it abandoned. It was one of the first and most iconic of the genre, led by a team who had worked on some great Bioshock DLC, and is well worth your time. [[Recommend another game->Recommend]] [[No more recommendations, let's play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

What Remains of Edith Finch is a 2017 game about someone returning to their ancestoral home after it's been abandoned for many years, and learning about the fate of their seemingly cursed family. It won some BAFTAs, and is one of my favourites! [[Recommend another game->Recommend]] [[No more recommendations, let's play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

Virginia is a 2016 game where you play a newly graduated FBI agent investigating the disappearance of a missing boy. To be honest I don't remember much about it - I forget what happens. It was probably fine though! [[Recommend another game->Recommend]] [[No more recommendations, let's play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

Thirty Flights of Loving is a 2012 game where the player is a member of a small gang planning and dealing with the fallout from a heist. It looks kind of ugly, and is a bit harder to follow than some of the other ones here, but it only takes 15 minutes to play, so is worth a look. [[Recommend another game->Recommend]] [[No more recommendations, let's play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

Firewatch is a 2016 game, where the player is left is (apparently) all alone, responsible for looking out for fires in a national forest. It won a bunch of awards, including a BAFTA, and provides a suspenseful couple of hours of playing. [[Recommend another game->Recommend]] [[No more recommendations, let's play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

The Stanley Parable is a 2013 game where the player is exploring a hastily abandoned office. It's very funny - my favourite of all of these recommendations. Play it! [[Recommend another game->Recommend]] [[No more recommendations, let's play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and The Terribly Cursed Emerald: A Whirlwind Heist is a long titled game where the player is initially tasked with stealing an emerald. or a tiger... It's free, and stars Simon Amstell, so there's no reason not to play it. [[Recommend another game->Recommend]] [[No more recommendations, let's play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

The Beginners Guide is a 2015 game where the player is exploring the remnants of many unfinished game prototypes. It's an interesting reflection on the creative process, if a bit pretentious. But the best things are... [[Recommend another game->Recommend]] [[No more recommendations, let's play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

Proteus is a 2013 game where the player explores a mysterious island. I ... *think*... I finished it - I seemed to fly off into space at the end. Never really worked out what was going on though! [[Recommend another game->Recommend]] [[No more recommendations, let's play Walking Simulator->Intro]]

You look around the room. It is unfamiliar, and starkly empty aside from a small table against one wall. From here, you can see there is something on the table, but can not yet make out what it is. You estimate the table is about six steps away. [[Prepare to walk towards the table->Walk]]

As you inspect the table, you see a note on it. It's on headed notepaper, for a hotel in Dubai. The note is brief and cryptic. It says: *"Don't miss it - just beyond the door"* The note is unsigned, but there's a small image of a duck scrawled at the bottom of the page. It means nothing to you. [[Look at the door->Look at door]]

You look to the door of the room. It looks like it's another ten steps from here. You grit your teeth, and get started... [[Walk towards the door->Left A]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You swing your left foot forward from the hip timidly.](if: $steps is 1)[Having completed your first complete step successfully, you swing your left foot forward from the hip, with renewed vigour.](if: $steps > 1)[Having completed $steps steps successfully, you carry on by swinging your left foot forward from the hip, with renewed vigour.](if: $steps is 9)[ You can see you have almost reached the door.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->FalterA]]] [[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->Left B]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->FalterA]]]

(set: $falter to it +1) You mis-step and stumble. You feel like you might not be able to stop yourself from falling... (if: $falter is 1)[[[Try and recover your footing->FalterA Succeed]]](if: $falter is 2)[[[Try and recover your footing->Falter Fail]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your left foot, slowly.](if: $steps > 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your left foot, bravely.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->FalterA]]] [[Roll your left leg through to the toe->Left C]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->FalterA]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You roll your left leg through to the toe, fearfully.](if: $steps > 0)[You roll your left leg through to the toe, valiantly.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->FalterA]]] [[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->Right A]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->FalterA]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You swing your right foot forward from the hip, apprehensively.](if: $steps > 0)[You swing your right foot forward from the hip, courageously.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->FalterA]]] [[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->Right B]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->FalterA]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your right foot, faintheartedly.](if: $steps > 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your right foot, audaciously.] [[Roll your right leg through to the toe->Right C]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->FalterA]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You roll your right leg through to the toe, in an unsure manner. ](if: $steps > 0)[You roll your right leg through to the toe, pluckily. ] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <9)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <9)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <9 )[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <9)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->FalterA]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <9)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->FalterA]]] (if: $steps < 9)[(link: "Swing your left foot forward from the hip")[(set: $steps to it + 1)(goto:"Left A")]](if: $steps is 9)[(link: "Go through the door")[(set: $steps to 0)(goto:"End of second walk")]]

On the other side of the door you see what appears to be heiroglyphs taking up the whole of one wall. [[Look at the hieroglyphs]]

They show a scene depicting a tall staircase. At the top of the staircase is a hooded traveller. Pictured at the bottom of the staircase are two children, dressed in ponchos. The children are carrying something - from the picture it's hard to make out, but looks a bit like a giant toothbrush. [[Stop looking at the hieroglyphs]]

Ahead of you is a winding staircase, matching the one depicted on the wall. From here, you can see that it's a long way down - you are no expert, but you estimate it's at least 472 steps. You wonder if the outcome will be worth it, yet decide to press on. [[Start walking down the staircase.->Left X]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You set off by swinging your left foot forward from the hip again.](if: $steps is 1)[Having completed your first complete step successfully, you swing your left foot forward from the hip, as if you have countless steps ahead of you.](if: $steps > 1)[Having completed $steps steps successfully, you carry on by swinging your left foot forward from the hip, as if you have countless steps ahead of you.](if: $steps is 10)[This is the point where a nicer game would jump you ahead 400 steps. This is not a nice game.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->FalterB]]] [[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->Left Y]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->FalterB]]]

(set: $falter to it +1) You mis-step and stumble. You feel like you might not be able to stop yourself from falling all the way down the staircase... (if: $falter is 1)[[[Try and recover your footing->FalterB Succeed]]](if: $falter is 2)[[[Try and recover your footing->Falter Fail]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your left foot, feeling very worn out.](if: $steps > 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your left foot, infinitely.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->FalterB]]] [[Roll your left leg through to the toe->Left Z]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->FalterB]]]

At the last second you regain your balance, and right yourself. However it felt close - you realise that if you mis-step again you will definitely fall - and it's still a long way down! Feeling slightly more stable, you [[start again by swinging your left foot forward from the hip.->Left X]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You roll your left leg through to the toe, exhaustedly.](if: $steps > 0)[You roll your left leg through to the toe, as time drags on.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->FalterB]]] [[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->Right X]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You swing your right foot forward from the hip, wearily.](if: $steps > 0)[You swing your right foot forward from the hip, as you have numerous times before.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->FalterB]]] [[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->Right Y]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->FalterB]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your right foot, feeling fatigued.](if: $steps > 0)[You strike the ground with the heel of your right foot, endlessly.] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->FalterB]]] [[Roll your right leg through to the toe->Right Z]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Swing your left foot forward from the hip->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->FalterB]]]

(if: $steps is 0)[You roll your right leg through to the toe, drowsily. ](if: $steps > 0)[You roll your right leg through to the toe, again and again. ] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <472)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your right foot->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <472)[[[Roll your right leg through to the toe->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <472)[[[Roll your left leg through to the toe->FalterB]]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <472 )[[[Swing your right foot forward from the hip->FalterB]]] (if: $steps < 472)[(link: "Swing your left foot forward from the hip")[(set: $steps to it + 1)(goto:"Left X")]](if: $steps is 472)[(link: "Reach the bottom of the stairs")[(set: $steps to 0)(goto:"End of third walk")]] (if: $steps > 0 and $steps <472)[[[Strike the ground with the heel of your left foot->FalterB]]]

Wow, ok you made it here? I didn't anticipate anyone doing so. I imagine you've earned some sort of pay-off to the mystery... Let's just say, it was all aliens, working in combination with the US government, and it has some sort of moral about capitalism. You win. Well done you. But seriously, you should have played The Stanley Parable instead. The end. (colour: "#2F4F4F")[`@steve_bromley`]