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South Scrimshaw, Part One

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2023

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Quick resume

South Scrimshaw is the story of a newborn whale in a vast alien ocean. It is a richly illustrated experimental visual novel, written in the style of a nature documentary.

Global score

99/100

Genres

Casual, Indie

Pros

  • Beautiful and unique art style
  • Deep and imaginative speculative biology worldbuilding
  • Emotional and immersive storytelling
  • High production value for a free game
  • Calming and relaxing atmosphere

Cons

  • Limited interactivity and gameplay
  • Short length with long wait for continuation
  • Some players find ai narration less immersive
  • Lack of customization or player expression
  • No multiplayer or social features

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    3

    "Players can control the pace of the visual novel and explore optional footnotes, giving some freedom within a mostly linear narrative."

  • Competence
    -2

    "The experience is mostly passive with minimal skill or challenge; interaction is limited to advancing text and exploring tangents."

  • Competition
    -5

    "No competitive elements or comparison to others; focus is on personal narrative experience."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Many players express strong attachment and eagerness for future parts, indicating desire for continued engagement."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative features."

  • Creativity
    5

    "Highly creative speculative biology worldbuilding, unique art style, and imaginative storytelling praised extensively."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is contemplative and empathetic."

  • Escapism
    5

    "Strongly serves as an escape from reality through immersive fictional world and emotional storytelling."

  • Expectation
    -5

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and intrinsic motivation; no obligation or pressure noted."

  • Experimenting
    2

    "Some exploration of optional tangents and lore, encouraging curiosity and discovery within a structured narrative."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Players explore lore and world details through footnotes and branching information, enhancing discovery."

  • Expression
    -3

    "Limited customization or personalization; presentation is fixed with no avatar or environment modification."

  • Fantasy
    5

    "Set in a fictional alien world with speculative biology, imaginative creatures, and narrative framed as a documentary."

  • Fellowship
    -4

    "Experience is solitary with minimal social interaction or community features within the game."

  • Growth
    3

    "Players learn about the fictional biology and lore, gaining knowledge and insight through detailed worldbuilding."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary visual novel experience with no physical activity or health-related gameplay."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires focused attention to follow story and narration; not designed for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy
    -3

    "Limited social connection; emotional attachment is to characters and story rather than interpersonal relationships."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player narrative experience."

  • Progression
    2

    "Narrative progression through story chapters and unlocking lore, but no item or upgrade accumulation."

  • Relaxation
    4

    "Calming, immersive atmosphere with soothing narration and music; players describe it as relaxing and emotionally moving."

  • Sensation
    4

    "Beautiful hand-drawn art, sound design, and music provide rich sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social status or recognition systems; experience is personal and outside social evaluation."

  • Story
    5

    "Strong narrative focus with emotional storytelling, worldbuilding, and character development praised by players."

  • Strategy
    -5

    "No strategic or problem-solving gameplay; linear visual novel format."

  • Thrill
    1

    "Some emotional tension and dramatic moments, but overall controlled and contemplative experience."

  • Value
    5

    "Players overwhelmingly praise the game as high value, especially given it is free; many wish to support the creator financially."

  • Violence
    -4

    "Focus on biology and nature; while natural life cycle events occur, the experience is not centered on violence or combat."

  • Survival
    2

    "Narrative includes survival themes and challenges faced by the whale, but gameplay does not involve active survival mechanics."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026