Have you ever been playing a game on a Gameboy or your phone while walking? The feeling of watching one thing while being aware of another is like awakening some sort of primal sense, trying to keep ourselves alive in the game while not walking into a person on the street.
Or you know… off a cliff.
That last one is something that is definitely prevalent in Screenbound, a game where you play being in a game.
Now stick with me here, because I know that sounds like an absolute mind-melter, and to be fair it is.
I came across this title on Twitter (or X if you’re with the times) and was instantly intrigued by the sheer ingenuity of it. The game is set in a 3D world, but players view the action mainly through a device that looks remarkably like the yellow Gameboy DMG I had as a kid.
And if I could have viewed life as a game back then, I would have been in my element!
A Game Within A Game
The Screenbound account was made in February 2024, so the entire concept is incredibly new. Still, the clips I’ve seen on X show a title that will test our senses to the max.
Essentially, the player sees themselves in a 2D game while moving around a 3D world. That’s some kind of gaming inception right there!
As you move in the 2D game, the player moves through a detailed environment that looks incredibly rich and textured, with great lighting and impressive graphics
It’s a little odd, I’ve got to admit; seeing the world around you only partially while focusing on a tiny screen definitely makes you feel distracted by what’s going on around you.
But then again, that’s the entire point of the game as you can see from the caption on the company’s X page.
Bound For Greatness, Or Too Much Screen Time?
I am, however, a big fan of the zoom dynamic that lets players get closer to the 2D action in order to attack enemies. The player holds a Gameboy in the 3D world, but the character (you) in the 2D world is holding a weapon.
It’s slightly unnerving that you don’t actually see the enemies in the 3D world – it’s like trying to battle a bear while texting your mate that a bear is attacking you.
Still, thanks to the new zoom move, you can plan your attack and get a 2D version of your enemy fixed firmly in your sights!
The clip above makes me feel a little dizzy when watching. The dev team has stated that the video was super zoomed in which is probably why, but I’m looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of this age to fully get the feel of it. I’ve got a feeling the jumping elements are going to make my stomach turn, but at least I’ll be in for a wild ride!
As the Screenbound X account has only been live for a month at the time of writing, we have no idea when that might be, but rest assured I’ll let you know as soon as I have more information.
