The game starts when Aliens land at Gnome's house and steal his berries. They are interrupted by Gnome's dog who is then kidnapped by Aliens. Gnome spots aliens leaving with his dog and sets up to save it. He lands with his Polokonzerva airship on alien's planet. He manages to infiltrate alien's underground base and finds the dog who is held by alien's leader for joy. Gnome saves the dog and togethe they escape the planet but their airship crashes on another planet. They venture through the planet and eventually find taxi driver and convince him to take them home. Driver then sits with Gnome and dig at a bonfire before departing while Gnome lies at Cherry trees falling asleep.
Gameplay
Gameplay is similar to the previous game. The player interacts with the world with a simple point and click interface directing a small, white-clad humanoid with a little cap and brown boots. The goal of the Samorost games is to solve a series of puzzles and brain teasers. The puzzles are sequentially linked forming an adventure story. The game contains no inventory or dialogue, and the solving of puzzles mainly consists of clicking on-screen elements in the correct order. Solving a puzzle will immediately transport the player character to the next screen. The game features surrealistic, organic scenarios that mix natural and technological concepts, creative character designs and a unique musical atmosphere.
Development
Together with his freelance Flash and web design agency, Amanita Design, Dvorský produced a sequel, Samorost 2. In Samorost 2, the gnome goes on a longer quest to save his kidnapped dog and return safely home. The first chapter of this game can be played online for free. The second chapter is only playable in the full version, which cost $6.90 until the price was later lowered to $5.00.
Soundtrack
The Samorost 2 Soundtrack is composed, written, arranged and produced by Tomáš Dvořák for Amanita Design, the soundtrack was released on December 8, 2005 in digital format and on June 5, 2006 on cd. The album includes 12 tracks.
Tomáš Dvořák - composer, writer, arranger and producer;
Jakub Dvorský, Tomáš Dvořák - cover design;
Jakub Dvorský - artwork.
It was recorded, mixed and mastered by Tomáš Dvořák at Mush Room Prague / Budapest. It is packaged in digipak. The CD includes the PC and Mac version of Samorost 2 by Amanita Design. The Samorost 2 Soundtrack won the Original Sound category at the Flashforward Film Festival 2006.
Release
Samorost 2 was released in several physical and digital formats.
Physical:
International release - includes a CD with the Win and Mac versions of the game and the soundtrack. It is packaged in a digipak. It was released on 5 June 2006.
Collector's Edition - includes a CD with a Russian version of the game, a CD with the soundtrack and artbook with some sketches, informations, etc. It is packaged in a DVD-box. It was released on 21 November 2008.
Digital:
Amanita Design Store - includes Win, Mac and Linux versions of the game and soundtrack in mp3 format. It was released on 8 December 2005.
Steam - includes the Win version. It was released on 11 December 2009.
App Store - includes the Mac version. It was released on 28 April 2011.
Critical reviews were generally positive. The game was praised for its visuals and simple gameplay.
Awards
Samorost 2 has won several awards. These include a 2007 Webby in the games category; Independent Games Festival award in 2007 for Best Web Browser Game; Best Web-Work Award at the Seoul Net Festival in 2006. The soundtrack won the Original Sound category at the Flashforward Film Festival 2006. The game was also nominated in 3 categories in the GameShadow Innovation in Games Awards. In 2011, Adventure Gamers named Samorost 2 the 54th-best adventure game ever released.
