You may not realise, but Amanita Design has been crafting uniquely designed video games since 2003. Based in the Czech Republic, their games have become known for their surreal and light-hearted narratives with clever puzzle design. Their latest, Phonopolis – which we reviewed back when the game was released – is the latest to showcase exactly what the studio is about. We also spoke with Phonopolis producer Lukáš Kunce in a podcast interview in which he highlights their development style and processes.
But, we are not here to talk about Phonopolis, but more so about the game that predated it. Released back in 2020, the surreal immersive puzzle game Creaks received a strong critical and player response. With the likes of Polygon saying:
“From the individual puzzles to the world’s staggering scale, from the trinkets strewn about each room to the entire mansion’s ramshackle construction, Creaks is a dazzling work of imagination.”
And Adventure Games also reporting a positive experience:
“Overall, Creaks is simply a joy. From its intricately hand-drawn graphics to its imaginative world filled to the brim with gloriously bizarre sights and curious characters, it’s packed with creative energy and fun.”
Currently, Creaks sits at overwhelmingly positive on Steam from over 2,000 reviews, highlighting just how well it has resonated with people.
The game itself takes place within a strange structure that the main protagonist discovers through a vent in his room. As you explore this weird and strange environment, you soon come to realise it is being terrorised by a massive creature. Working your way through well-crafted puzzle rooms, you aim to give the bird-like inhabitants as much help as you can to stop this towering menace from destroying their home.
This is all presented in gorgeous hand-painted animation, with cartoon-like characters and extremely well-detailed backgrounds. It’s such a delight, and it made me stop on many occasions just to admire the work that was put into it as I played. What really works is how it portrays the emotions and narrative to the player, especially as the game is a wordless adventure.
But so much work went into creating Creaks that Amanita Design released a book highlighting everything that went into the game’s design, including concept art, storyboard animations, character models and much more. The book also features developer insights into why they chose the many directions they did. It’s a true love letter to the game and serves as a reminder of the intricacies of game development as it showcases the work from the game’s level design down to its artwork.
The book comes in a collector’s box which houses some extra goodies, including art cards, pin badges, the soundtrack on CD, and a double-sided, fold-out poster featuring the game’s cover art on one side and the structure you explore in the game on the other. You’ll also receive a Certificate of Authenticity and a Steam code for the deluxe version of the game – which also gives you access to a digital art book and a digital copy of the soundtrack.
Limited to just 1,000 copies, it is a beautiful, well-crafted tome. The box everything is housed in – as is everything else that’s included – is made from high-quality materials that you know will last the test of time.
The Art of Creaks book and its collectables are a must for any fan of the game, and it comes highly recommended if your budget can stretch to its asking price.
The Art of Creaks Collectors Box is available now from the Amanita Design website for $80.98. If you’d like to check out Creaks, please visit its Steam page.
Many thanks to Amanita Design for sending a copy of the book.
