Dontnod, the narrative led team behind some incredible interactive stories, has just announced that we will get to play Gerda: A Flame in Winter in September 2022.
Due to draw up on Nintendo Switch and PC on 1 September 2022, Gerda A Flame in Winter is the very first third party published game developed by Danish Studio PortaPlay and a very different experience from Dontnod’s in house experiences. While Life is Strange and Tell me Why might be more contemporary takes of human discovery, A Flame in Winter is a throwback to a time when Europe was at war again. Inspired by rea life events and set in the closing chapters of WWII, this tale will take us back to the Danish village of Tinglev and the unenviable situation of one local.
Following the footsteps of Gerda Larsen, an ordinary woman who has to make some unenviable decisions, this narrative adventure is likely to drag players into some harrowing choices and troubling conversations after she comes home to find her husband arrested by the Gestapo. With the local town occupied by invading forces and only her wits to help her, Gerda must wield what compassion and insight she has to survive the fate that unfolds around her. Gerda’s personality traits, the connection to others in the village, and some luck will determine if she can delicately navigate this powder keg of emotions while the war around closes in.
“This game is important to us because it is inspired by true stories of World War II, including those of my grandmother. With Gerda, we hope to share an accurate vision of some of the struggles of occupied populations during that time and highlight that some people were faced with difficult choices that defied absolute judgement. Through this narrative game we hope to encourage the sharing of testimonies. We know there are many civilian stories that go untold in wars and occupations around the globe, many still in the middle of theirs right now. And we are glad to be able to tell at least one such story, with Gerda: A Flame in Winter,” shares Hans von Knut Skovfoged, Head of Development at PortaPlay.
With a gorgeous art style, a striking soundtrack, and a cast of characters that may test player’s moral choices, Gerda: A Flame in Winter isn’t looking like the upbeat story of self discovery that marked Dontnod’s rise to fame. Instead, this timely look at the impact of war is due to make us stop and consider each and every action when it lands on PC and Nintendo Switch later this year. Check out the official Steam Store page for more details on this adventure now.
