An elderly woman lives in a simple house in northern Sweden. She often looks at old photographs, mentally traveling back to the past, where she was once a child and then gradually grew up. One day, a woman accidentally drops a ball on the floor that gives birth to little Yarni. It's made of red yarn, has big, curious eyes, and looks a lot like a kitten.
Yarney embarks on a great journey in search of new memories, where dangers and exciting adventures await him...
It is this legend that underlies the beautiful and touching game Unravel. In this article, we'll tell you the story of its creation, as well as share tips that are sure to come in handy for young game developers. Does your child want to join them? Then sign him up for the Progkids online school, where experienced teachers will teach him how to implement the most daring IT ideas!
Who is Yarney?
The main character of the game is a small mysterious creature made of red yarn named Yarney. The player controls this adorable creature as he travels through the forest, solving puzzles, overcoming obstacles, and collecting his memories.
Yarny's yarn, which is gradually running out, helps him complete his levels. Thus, the character can use threads to swing, clinging to trees, create improvised bridges and activate mechanisms.
Who created Yarney?
Unravel is a puzzle-platformer adventure game developed by Swedish studio Coldwood Interactive. The game was released on February 9, 2016.
What is this game about?
Yarney, the main character in Unravel, is made from red yarn for a reason. The scarlet color was chosen by the developers because for them it symbolizes love, attraction and strong ties between loved ones. Yarney's mission is to regain the lost connections that were once dear to him. Thus, the game has an intimate philosophical meaning. Everything in the world is connected by invisible threads that can't be broken.
Where does Yarney travel?
The authors were inspired to create gaming locations by the landscapes of northern Sweden near the city of Umeå. Martin Salin sketched locations and photographed nature when he was camping with his family.
Every scene shown in the game is filled with love for their native country, which the creators of the game wanted to express through their creativity. According to one of the developers, the story in Unravel is told without words, but the surrounding landscapes speak for themselves.
Nature plays a key role in Unravel. These are not fantastic landscapes, but what you can see when you leave home. Thus, the authors wanted to show that even everyday life hides beauty and magic. The developers wanted to convey the special atmosphere of their homeland, and they certainly succeeded.
How did the world receive Yarney?
Unravel has been well received by critics for its beautiful visuals, touching story, and unique gameplay.
On June 9, 2018, a sequel to the game called Unravel Two was released. The gameplay was similar, but now you could play together: the main characters were two Yarni, who could change colors and interact with each other to solve puzzles together.
Unravel: What should young programmers adopt?
What can you learn by playing the famous Swedish game? Here are a few highlights:
#1 Come up with a touching hero
Yarney captures players' hearts at first sight! A big part of Unravel's success lies in the sweet and charming character who wants to play.
#2 Add philosophical meaning
Unravel is a game with deep symbolism that has an important message. Making the game not only fun but also inspiring to think about is one of the keys to success!
#3 Draw beautiful locations
Its backgrounds add great appeal to the game. Unravel is aesthetically pleasing and introduces users to real Swedish landscapes. By turning the game into a little journey, creators can certainly count on more interest from gamers.
#4 Come up with interesting puzzles
In Unravel, almost all puzzles are based on the laws of physics. Yarney interacts with objects using her thread. The further a character moves, the harder it is for him. This is a very good move — players shouldn't be bored.
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