You can't control your character in this game

What’s a fourth-person puzzler?

It’s what developers of Pavilion use to describe the game. You may not have heard of it, but it’s actually a rather simple concept. Unlike in third-person games, you don’t take control of the protagonist in Pavilion. Instead,you guide him. This may sound unorthodox, but in a way it reflects real life. Just think about the last time you wanted someone to do something for you. It’s not as easy as tapping a button, is it?

But the game itself is far from realistic. In a surreal, dreamlike world, a man wanders among what look like abandoned ruins. This is our protagonist. We find him atop the pavilion (for which the game is named), surrounded by a sprawling forest. He faces two faceless statues. Above them, a large bell hangs from a serpentine frame. Higher still is a curious light source, glowing in the rain.

Pavilion gives you a bird’s-eye view over the landscape. From above, you guide the protagonist by interacting with various elements in the level. You can ring bells, flip switches, and even move boulders. But that is the extent of your powers. The protagonist traverses the level on his own free will. The only power you have is that of suggestion.

There are no tutorials to be found here. No dialogue, no instructions, not even a tooltip. The narrative is almost elusive, but the game drops subtle hints that indicate the protagonist is exploring his own dream world. That prompts two questions: “Who are you, the player?” and “Why do you have control over someone else’s dream?”

Perhaps the whole challenge of a fourth-person game is figuring it out the answers to these questions yourself.

Pavilion: Touch Edition

A 4th-person puzzle-adventure

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