Released in 2017 by The Fullbright Company, Tacoma is a narrative-driven exploration game that takes place aboard an abandoned space station. Known for its unique approach to storytelling, Tacoma builds on the success of Fullbright’s previous game, Gone Home, while introducing new elements of science fiction and interactive narrative. Set in the year 2088, the game explores themes of artificial intelligence, corporate control, and human relationships in a futuristic world.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of Tacoma, examining its gameplay, narrative, and impact on the gaming industry. We’ll also explore the emotional depth of the game, its representation of futuristic societies, and its exploration of human interaction and connection in space.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Tacoma
- Story and Setting
- The Space Station Tacoma
- Humanity in the Year 2088
- Interactive Storytelling
- AR Recordings and Exploration
- Uncovering the Crew’s Stories
- Themes Explored in Tacoma
- Artificial Intelligence and Ethics
- Corporate Control and Exploitation
- Human Connection and Survival
- Art and Sound Design
- Immersive Worldbuilding
- Music and Atmosphere
- Tacoma‘s Reception and Influence
- Critical Reception
- Influence on the Indie Game Scene
- Conclusion
Introduction to Tacoma
Tacoma is a first-person exploration game that takes place aboard a space station of the same name. The player assumes the role of Amy Ferrier, a contractor sent by the Venturis Corporation to retrieve the artificial intelligence (AI) from the Tacoma space station after an accident causes the evacuation of the station’s crew. Amy is tasked with uncovering the mystery of what happened to the six crew members who once inhabited the station.
The game combines interactive storytelling, environmental exploration, and augmented reality (AR) mechanics to create a unique gaming experience. Tacoma is a short but rich narrative that invites players to engage with its futuristic setting, uncover the truth about the incident, and explore the personal stories of the crew.
Story and Setting
The Space Station Tacoma
Set in 2088, the story of Tacoma unfolds aboard the Tacoma space station, a transfer station orbiting Earth’s moon. The station is primarily automated, and its crew members perform their duties under the supervision of the station’s AI, named ODIN. As Amy Ferrier, players arrive at the station after the crew has already evacuated due to a catastrophic event. The space station itself becomes a critical part of the narrative, filled with clues and artifacts that help piece together the story of what transpired.
The Tacoma space station is divided into several distinct areas, each of which reflects the lives and personalities of the crew members who worked there. From the personal quarters to the communal areas, the station is meticulously detailed, making it feel like a lived-in environment. The sterile and futuristic design of the station, juxtaposed with the deeply human and emotional stories of the crew, creates a compelling contrast that draws players into the game’s world.
Humanity in the Year 2088
Tacoma presents a vision of the future that is at once familiar and distant. In this world, space travel and corporate control have become intertwined, with corporations like the Venturis Corporation exerting significant influence over the lives of individuals. The game touches on topics such as the role of artificial intelligence in society, the ethics of corporate governance, and the fragile nature of human relationships in a highly technological world.
The year 2088 feels both optimistic and cautionary, offering players a glimpse into a future where human ingenuity has led to incredible advancements, but at the cost of personal freedom and corporate ethics. This futuristic setting provides a rich backdrop for the emotional and philosophical themes that Tacoma explores.
Interactive Storytelling
AR Recordings and Exploration
One of the key mechanics that sets Tacoma apart from other exploration games is its use of augmented reality (AR) recordings. As players explore the space station, they can access AR recordings of past events involving the crew. These recordings allow players to observe conversations, interactions, and emotional moments that occurred before the crew’s evacuation.
The AR system is not just a storytelling device but an interactive one. Players can pause, rewind, and fast-forward through these recordings to piece together the full story. The ability to follow different characters in real-time adds depth to the exploration, as players can uncover new details about the crew’s relationships and the events leading up to the incident.
Uncovering the Crew’s Stories
The crew of Tacoma is made up of six diverse characters, each with their own backstory, motivations, and personal struggles. Throughout the game, players learn about the crew’s lives through the AR recordings and by exploring their personal quarters. These moments of discovery reveal the human side of the game’s story, highlighting themes of love, fear, loyalty, and sacrifice.
One of the most compelling aspects of Tacoma is its focus on character development. The crew members feel like real people, with their own hopes, dreams, and flaws. As players uncover their stories, they become invested in the crew’s fate, making the game’s narrative all the more impactful.
Themes Explored in Tacoma
Artificial Intelligence and Ethics
At the heart of Tacoma is the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. ODIN, the station’s AI, plays a significant role in the story, acting as both a guardian and a witness to the events that unfolded. The game raises questions about the ethics of AI, particularly in how AI is used by corporations like Venturis. Is ODIN simply a tool, or does it have a form of consciousness that deserves ethical consideration?
The game explores the power dynamics between humans and AI, examining how AI can be used to manipulate, control, or even protect people. Tacoma encourages players to think critically about the role of technology in society and the potential consequences of relying too heavily on AI.
Corporate Control and Exploitation
The Venturis Corporation, which owns the Tacoma space station, is portrayed as a powerful and morally ambiguous entity. The corporation’s influence over the crew is evident throughout the game, from the living conditions on the station to the decisions that ultimately led to the crew’s evacuation.
Tacoma examines the ways in which corporations can exploit their workers for profit, often at the expense of their safety and well-being. The game serves as a critique of corporate greed and raises important questions about the balance between profit and human dignity in a future where corporations have immense power.
Human Connection and Survival
Despite its futuristic setting, Tacoma is ultimately a story about human connection. The relationships between the crew members, their fears and desires, and their willingness to sacrifice for one another are central to the narrative. The game highlights the importance of empathy, trust, and solidarity in the face of adversity.
The crew’s struggle for survival is not just physical but emotional as well. As players uncover the truth behind the incident, they come to understand the deep bonds that formed between the crew members, making the story’s conclusion all the more poignant.
Art and Sound Design
Immersive Worldbuilding
The art design of Tacoma is clean, minimalistic, and futuristic, perfectly capturing the sterile environment of a space station. Despite the simplicity of its design, the game’s world feels rich and lived-in, thanks to the attention to detail in the environment. Every object, from personal belongings to workstations, tells a story and contributes to the overall atmosphere of the game.
The use of AR to visualize past events adds another layer of immersion, allowing players to see the crew’s actions and interactions as if they were happening in real-time. This blend of physical and digital elements enhances the sense of presence in the world of Tacoma.
Music and Atmosphere
The soundtrack of Tacoma is subtle yet effective, enhancing the emotional tone of the game without overpowering the player’s experience. Composed by Chris Remo, the music creates a sense of isolation and introspection, perfectly complementing the game’s themes of survival and connection.
Sound design also plays a crucial role in building the atmosphere of the space station. The ambient sounds of machinery, the hum of the station’s systems, and the occasional distant conversation all contribute to the feeling of being aboard a functioning, yet abandoned, station.
Tacoma’s Reception and Influence
Critical Reception
Tacoma was widely praised for its innovative storytelling, immersive world, and emotional depth. Critics lauded the game’s use of AR recordings as a storytelling mechanic, as well as its focus on character development and themes of corporate ethics and AI. The game received several awards and nominations, cementing Fullbright’s reputation as a leading developer in the narrative-driven game genre.
While some players found the game’s relatively short length to be a drawback, most agreed that the richness of its story and world made up for its brevity. Tacoma was celebrated for pushing the boundaries of what video games can achieve as a medium for storytelling.
Influence on the Indie Game Scene
Like Gone Home before it, Tacoma had a significant impact on the indie game scene. Its emphasis on narrative and character-driven storytelling helped solidify the “walking simulator” genre, inspiring other developers to explore similar themes and mechanics. The game’s use of AR as a storytelling tool also influenced future games, showcasing the potential for interactive narratives in immersive settings.
Conclusion
Tacoma is a remarkable exploration of humanity, technology, and corporate ethics set against the backdrop of a futuristic space station. Through its innovative storytelling, compelling characters, and immersive world, the game offers players a deeply emotional and thought-provoking experience. By blending science fiction with themes of love, survival, and corporate exploitation,
Tacoma raises important questions about the future of human society and the role of technology in our lives.
For players who enjoy narrative-driven games with a strong focus on character development and emotional depth, Tacoma is a must-play. Its exploration of human connection in the cold, isolated environment of space is a powerful reminder that, even in the most advanced technological futures, the bonds between people remain our most vital asset.
