BGotW: I Can Hold My Breath Forever

It’s been a busy week, so I decided to root around my various bookmark folders to see if there are any browser game gems sitting in hiding. While digging through the assortment of Tower Defense games and 2D beat ‘em ups (which will no doubt make a show in the coming weeks) I stumbled across an old, dusty folder marked “Dissertation”. Hidden within said folder, among the miscellaneous wiki pages on games/art and youtube videos of dancing cats, was a handful of browser games (convenient, eh?)

In my search for “arty” browser games, I found that the most interesting among them were the more simplistic ones – removing complex graphics and traditional gameplay to tell stories in unique ways (hence my attachment to The Majesty of Colors).

Anyway, with that inane introductory warbling out of the way, let me show you another of my favorite “simplistic” games.

I Can Hold My Breath Forever

As far as simplicity goes, this has to be topping the list. The only controls you’re given are to move your character- up, down, left and right. That’s all.

Your goal is to simply traverse the underwater caverns, following a friend that ventured in before you. Each pocket of air you reach contains a note left by your impatient friend, hoping you’re following him as the hours slowly turn to days, months and years.

There’s just something about this game that really draws me in. I love how the story is told in such a basic way, allowing you to explore the characters relationship through the expressive letters. This game really warrants a play, just so you can understand what I’m babbling on about. It only takes a couple of minutes of complete, but could easily have you pondering the game for a while after you’ve stopped playing.

So what are you waiting for? It’s short, lovely, interesting and mildly thought provoking.  Definitely worth a play through.

I Can Hold My Breath Forever can be played HERE.