Golem (2019 video game)
{{Short description|none}}
{{about||PC game Golem by Longbow Games|Golem (2018 video game)}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Golem
| image = Golem video game logo 2017.png
| alt =
| caption =
| developer = Highwire Games
| publisher = Highwire Games, Perp Games
| director = {{plainlist|
- Jaime Griesemer
- Jared Noftle
}}
| producer =
| designer =
| programmer =
| artist = {{plainlist|
- Vic Deleon
- Travis Brady
}}
| writer =
| composer = Martin O'Donnell
| engine = Unreal Engine 4
| platforms = PlayStation 4
| released = November 15, 2019
| genre = Action-adventure
| modes = Single-player only
}}
Golem is a video game developed by Highwire Games and published by Perp Games for the PlayStation 4 video game console, specifically for the PlayStation VR virtual reality headset. It was released on November 15, 2019.{{cite web |last=Lang |first=Ben |url=https://www.roadtovr.com/golem-release-date-psvr-highwire-games/ |title=Long-delayed PSVR Exclusive 'Golem' to Launch Tomorrow, New Trailer Here |work=Road to VR |date=14 November 2019 |access-date=20 July 2024}}
Development
Golem is the debut game from independent studio Highwire Games. Based in Seattle, the studio was founded in 2015 by former Bungie employees Martin O'Donnell and Jaime Griesemer, alongside Jared Noftle, co-founder of Airtight Games. Vic Deleon, another former Bungie employee, left 343 Industries to join the development team as world art director and Travis Brady of Valve joined as character art director.
Golem was developed for the PlayStation 4 and makes use of the PlayStation VR virtual reality headset. The game was developed using Unreal Engine 4. Highwire approached Epic Games' Seattle-based studio for assistance on developing the virtual reality game.
O'Donnell, who serves as the game's composer, launched a Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund a "musical prequel" to Golem, titled Echoes of the First Dreamer.
Release
Golem was first announced in December 2015 at the PlayStation Experience. The game was scheduled to launch on 13 March 2018, but had since been delayed for further polishing. On 19 August, Highwire games confirmed a new Fall 2019 release window.
Reception
The game received mixed reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic, with an average of 59/100 based on 19 reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/golem/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=Golem for Playstation 4|website=Metacritic|access-date=February 1, 2023|archive-date=November 20, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231120145337/https://www.metacritic.com/game/golem/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|url-status=live}}
Golem was nominated for "Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition" at the 23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, and won the award for "Best Dialogue for an Indie Game" at the 2020 G.A.N.G. Awards, whereas its other nomination was for "Best Sound Design for an Indie Game".
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{cite web | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-03-11-marty-odonnell-announces-kickstarter-musical-project/ | title=Destiny composer Marty O'Donnell announces Kickstarter musical project | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | first=Tom | last=Phillips | date=11 March 2016 | accessdate=16 December 2017 | archive-date=18 December 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218021435/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-03-11-marty-odonnell-announces-kickstarter-musical-project | url-status=live }}
{{cite web | url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/12/05/golem-from-highwire-games-is-a-playstation-vr-exclusive/ | title=Golem from Highwire Games is a PlayStation VR Exclusive | work=PlayStation Blog | publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment | first=Jaime | last=Griesemer | date=5 December 2015 | accessdate=5 March 2016 | archive-date=29 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229084806/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/12/05/golem-from-highwire-games-is-a-playstation-vr-exclusive/ | url-status=live }}
{{cite web | url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/12/09/golem-the-power-of-your-dreams/ | title=Golem: The Power of Your Dreams | work=PlayStation Blog | publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment | first=Jaime | last=Griesemer | date=9 December 2017 | accessdate=16 December 2017 | archive-date=18 December 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218110540/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/12/09/golem-the-power-of-your-dreams/ | url-status=live }}
{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-06-18-bungie-airtight-veterans-found-highwire-games | title=Bungie, Airtight veterans found Highwire Games | work=GamesIndustry.biz | publisher=Gamer Network | first=Matthew | last=Handrahan | date=18 June 2015 | accessdate=5 March 2016 | archive-date=11 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311085137/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-06-18-bungie-airtight-veterans-found-highwire-games | url-status=live }}
{{cite web | url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/22/11051686/golem-playstationvr-highwire-games | title=A Seattle supergroup of developers is trying to crack VR's trickiest problems | work=Polygon | publisher=Vox Media | first=Ben | last=Kuchera | date=22 February 2016 | accessdate=5 March 2016 | archive-date=5 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305101032/http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/22/11051686/golem-playstationvr-highwire-games | url-status=live }}
{{cite web | url=https://highwiregames.com/2019/08/19/golem-emerges-from-the-shadows-this-fall-on-playstation-vr/ | title=Golem Emerges From the Shadows This Fall On Playstation VR | work=Highwire Games | date=19 August 2019 | accessdate=4 September 2019 | archive-date=5 December 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205213110/https://highwiregames.com/2019/08/19/golem-emerges-from-the-shadows-this-fall-on-playstation-vr/ | url-status=live }}
{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/control-and-death-stranding-get-eight-nominations-each-for-the-2020-dice-awards/ | title=Control and Death Stranding get 8 nominations each for the 2020 DICE Awards | work=PC Gamer | publisher=Future plc | first=Andy | last=Chalk | date=13 January 2020 | accessdate=17 January 2020 | archive-date=4 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104080305/https://www.pcgamer.com/control-and-death-stranding-get-eight-nominations-each-for-the-2020-dice-awards/ | url-status=live }}
{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/death-stranding-gaming-gang-awards-winners-list-1234600151/ | title='Death Stranding' Sweeps Gaming's G.A.N.G. Awards With Six Wins Including Audio of the Year | work=Variety | publisher=Penske Media Corporation | first=Jazz | last=Tangcay | date=6 May 2020 | accessdate=7 May 2020 | archive-date=12 May 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512122926/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/death-stranding-gaming-gang-awards-winners-list-1234600151/ | url-status=live }}
}}
External links
- [http://highwiregames.com/golem/ Official website]
Category:PlayStation VR-only games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Unreal Engine 4 games