Umurangi Generation is a newly released computer game that bills itself as “a first-person photography game in the sh**ty future.” If you enjoy photography and grew up enjoying Pokémon Snap, then this game is right up your alley.
The game is set in a place called Tauranga Aotearoa that has been dealing with crises of fire and tides, and the sky has been turned red as a result (‘umurangi’ is the Te Reo word for “red sky”). You’re a photographer for a company called the Tauranga Express.
There are a number of different levels, and you’ll have 10 minutes in each one to complete a to-do list. The tasks mostly involve taking certain photos — you’re given a brief, but the creative aspect of the photography and post-processing is entirely up to you.
Photos you take are judged on color, composition, and content, and successfully completing assignments will earn you money.
Levels also contain things to find, from film canisters for unlocking new equipment to finding the exact spot for recreating a postcard photo.
Here’s the 2.5-minute launch trailer for the game:
And here’s an 8.5-minute review of the game by Connor Shaw that gives a more in-depth look at what it’s like:
Umurangi Generation is available now on Steam for $15, and customer reviews for the game are so far very positive.