Argentine indie studio Matajuegos has released its surreal documentary game Atuel on Android and PC via Steam. Initially launched on itch.io in September 2022, Atuel gained recognition for its innovative documentary approach, experimental mechanics, and captivating visual style.
The title has earned prestigious awards, including IndieCade 2022's Innovation in Experience Design Award, and has been showcased at international events like Cannes' Marché du Film and Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Atuel's Gameplay Experience
Atuel examines the profound connection between communities and nature in Argentina's Cuyo desert region, blending authentic testimonies with fluid, dream-inspired gameplay.
Players traverse expansive, surreal environments reflecting the actual geography of the Atuel River Valley. Through transformative gameplay, you embody animals, natural elements, and even the river itself.
Throughout the experience, voices of local experts - historians, scientists, and residents - offer perspectives on the region's ecological past and future, while exploring humanity's relationship with land and water amid global climate challenges. Watch the gameplay trailer below.
As an interesting aside, the Atuel River begins in the Andes from glacial Atuel Lake. Measuring as Mendoza's longest river, it sculpted the impressive Atuel Canyon in Valle Grande - landscapes that directly influenced the game's artistic vision.
Now Available
Developed alongside international filmmakers from The 12.01 Project, Atuel was conceived by lead artist Santiago Franzani as an impressionistic meditation rather than traditional documentary.
Eschewing literal realism, the game creates a poetic, emotional space where narrative emerges through motion, transformation and ambient sound. Players experience a shifting perspective on humanity's delicate ecological connections.
Atuel is available as a free download with full controller support. Explore this unique experience on Google Play Store today.
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