‘Aka’ is About Finding a Life After War
Aka is an open-world game about a creature looking to live a peaceful life in a small town after enduring the horrors of war. But it’s hard to let go of the memories.
War has a lasting effect on both those who fight and those who experience it from as non-combatants. With that in mind, I have rarely played games that talk about what happens after the war has ended, and those who have fought are looking for peace. This game has you playing as a little red panda who wants to try out peace but is haunted by their past.
The little island that you live on gives you a quiet place to stay. Here, you are able to grow flowers, create tools and structures, and just relax anywhere you like. Everything looks serene and soothing in this world, but there are still many little reminders of what you’ve had to deal with in the past. The game has some narrative-driven quests that you can choose to go on. You get these through various other NPCs that you meet. Some of these paths take you into your past, showing you glimpses of what war leaves behind.
One of the first quests I encountered was the goal to spread the ashes of a friend who I had lost due to the harsh world around them. Your best friend, who showed you the island, has also lost people close to them, but is open and willing to help you adapt to this more peaceful world. And hopefully with time, you’ll be able to.
Aka is a game with a clear story and message, done in a clever way, with many optional paths to go down to discover more about yourself.
Aka is currently in development, but in the meantime, you can add it to your Steam Wishlist.
