NaissanceE

{{Infobox VG

| title = NaissanceE

| image = Naissancee video game cover.jpg

| developer = Limasse Five

| publisher = Limasse Five

| designer =

| composer = Pauline Oliveros{{Cite web | title=About | url=http://www.naissancee.com/?page_id=2 | publisher=Limasse Five | access-date=29 January 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905200224/http://www.naissancee.com/?page_id=2 | archive-date=5 September 2014 | url-status=dead}}
Thierry Zaboitzeff
Patricia Dallio

| engine = Unreal Engine 3

| released = 13 February 2014

| genre = Adventure

| modes = Single-player

| platforms =

| caption =

| alt =

}}NaissanceE is a first-person adventure game developed by French studio Limasse Five and released for Microsoft Windows in 13 February 2014. Players control Lucy, who navigates an expansive, abstract structure with shifting architecture and environmental challenges. The game incorporates light and shadow mechanics, platforming sequences, and exploration-based progression, with no direct storytelling or guidance.

The world of NaissanceE features large-scale geometric environments and dynamic spaces that emphasize solitude and discovery. Puzzles and traversal mechanics require players to adapt to the evolving terrain, solving spatial challenges and interacting with the environment to progress. The game draws inspiration from titles like Another World and Ico, encouraging interpretation through its minimalist design and atmospheric presentation.

Gameplay

NaissanceE is a first person exploration game. The game mainly consists of exploration with platforming and puzzle areas. The game is constructed along a linear path, punctuated by more open areas to freely explore. The player meets entities or mechanical systems, they react to player presence, to light and shadow, and they may open access to the following.{{Cite web |date=2014-02-15 |title=NaissanceE trailer shows corridors heavy with foreboding |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/indie/naissancee-trailer-shows-corridors-heavy-foreboding |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}} It features only one character; Lucy. When sprinting, a circle will appear in the middle of the screen, prompting the player to control Lucy's breathing.

Plot

NaissanceE follows the story of Lucy, a lone roamer who finds herself stuck in an enormous, surreal building. The game begins with Lucy being chased by some invisible entity before falling through a trapdoor into a massive, labyrinthine world. With no direction or explanation, she must navigate the shifting landscape, solving environmental puzzles and avoiding hidden dangers.

As Lucy ventures deeper, the world around her becomes increasingly abstract and mysterious. Strange mechanical beasts react to her presence, and the world itself seems to be alive, constantly twisting and reshaping. The game is built around exploration and observation rather than explicit storytelling, so a lot of the narrative is open to interpretation.

Along the journey, Lucy is introduced to segments that require her to manipulate light and darkness, traverse challenging platforming sections, and adapt to the changing landscape. The deeper in she goes, the more ominous and mysterious the world gets, until a final sequence where she reaches a vast, open space that is filled with light. The ending is open to interpretation, and players are left to wonder about Lucy's fate and the nature of the world she has passed through.

Reception

The game generally received positive reviews, being praised mainly for its atmosphere, soundtrack, and graphics.{{Cite news |last=Bathge |first=Peter |date=2014-02-18 |title=Naissancee im Test: Abwechselnd atemberaubend und irritierend |language=de-DE |trans-title=Naissancee in the test: alternately breathtaking and irritating |work=PC Games |url=https://www.pcgames.de/Naissancee-Spiel-54101/Tests/Naissancee-im-Test-1109773/ |access-date=2023-03-03}} The level of difficulty of some of the challenges has been criticised though, with several reviewers believing that those challenges are too difficult.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} It has also been said that, due to the open nature of the setting, it can be easy to get lost.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Chris Capel of GameWatcher / Strategy Informer complained that "NaissanceE could've been a neat game but Limasse Five should've just stuck with making a cool artistic world and left the actual gameplay at home."{{cite web | url=https://www.gamewatcher.com/reviews/naissancee-review/8806 | title=NaissanceE PC Review | GameWatcher }}

Jonathan Fortin of Hooked Gamers commended the game for its artistic vision but complained that "the developers didn't fully commit to that vision" and said that it could have nearly been a masterpiece if "the entire game had focused on the puzzles that made its first few hours such a delight" but concluded that "the game still comes recommended...but only for non-epileptic players who have a high tolerance for frustration."{{cite web | url=https://www.hookedgamers.com/pc/naissancee/review/article-1197.html | title=NaissanceE PC review - "Beautiful bastard love child of Journey, Portal, and M.C. Escher" | Hooked Gamers }}

Jim Rossignol of Rock Paper Shotgun said that "the oozing (yet markedly unpretentious) atmosphere, the sense of mystery, and the occasionally exquisite vistas provide enough of a reward to make it worth seeing, even if you will squirm at bloodying your patience, and grinding it against brutal jumping puzzles."{{cite web | url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/naissance-review-pc | title=Wot I Think: NaissancE | website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun | date=6 March 2014 | last1=Rossignol | first1=Jim }}

Petra Schmitz of GameStar gave the game 65 out of 100 and found parts of the game annoying while being fascinated with the abstract landscapes.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamestar.de/spiele/naissancee/test/naissancee,50720,3033529.html | title=Naissancee im Test - der Weg ist das Ziel | website=Gamestar | date=11 March 2014 | last1=Schmitz | first1=Petra }}