16 June 2008

Dark, Lonely Beauty: Devils Moon

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die. --Roy Batty, from Blade Runner


Ever had one of those days where you're feeling lonely and nothing will help-- shopping and exploring just seem to be useless, hollow activities, the clubs are all empty, and none of your friends are online? If you want to wander around disconsolately in a setting that's perfectly suited to that feeling of lingering melancholy, the sky city at Devils Moon is the perfect place.

The design of the city is amazing: beautifully dark and cyberpunky, highly detailed, very true to its Blade Runner theme. The wet, empty streets are littered with crates and empty cardboard boxes and lit by the multicolored glare of neon; advertising drones repeat their endless, impersonal messages, and on the horizon all that can be seen are rows and rows of towering skyscrapers. Their lit windows are clustered pinpoints of warm light in the distance, reminding you of all the people who are out there-- but not here with you. Even when there are other people wandering around, this place evokes a certain sense of isolation. It's like a movie set-- a scene from a slightly run-down and dingy future, one that didn't turn out as happily as hoped.

It’s a great place to hang out if you want some interesting scenery but aren’t ready to be cheered up just yet. If you don't feel up to browsing in the shops, you can ask for advice from A.L.I.C.E., the Artificial Linguistic Internet Computer Entity, see what’s playing in the movie theater, sit in the bar or the sidewalk diner and listen to the music, or just wander the dark streets and take a few photos. Just don't be surprised if those simple acts finally shake you out of your blue mood; Devils Moon is that sort of place, too.