Samorost

Lore & Background

The player controls a small, white-clad humanoid with a cap and brown boots, called simply 'gnome' by Dvorsky. The goal is to solve a series of sequentially linked puzzles with no inventory or dialogue, mainly by clicking on-screen elements in the correct order. Solving a puzzle immediately transports the player to the next screen. The game features surrealistic, organic scenarios mixing natural and technological concepts, often using manipulated photographs of small objects made to look very large.

Reader's Guide

Samorost was created by Jakub Dvorský while he was a student at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague in 2003. Although short and simplistic in gameplay, its surreal graphics and memorable score made it stand out. The object of the game is to avert a collision between the gnome's home planet and a large incoming spaceship. The game was nominated for the Webby Award in 2004 and the Top Talent Award in 2003. The word 'samorost' is a Czech term for objects sculpted from discarded wood, also meaning 'maverick' or 'wanderer,' reflecting the protagonist's asteroid home and character. The soundtrack was selected by Dvorský from various sources and was not officially released, though a fan-ripped version circulated online. Composer Floex provided music for the 2021 remaster.

Did You Know?

• The game contains no inventory or dialogue; puzzles are solved by clicking on-screen elements in the correct order.
• The word 'samorost' is Czech for objects sculpted from discarded wood, and also means 'maverick' or 'wanderer.'
• The soundtrack for the original game was not officially released but was ripped from the game by a fan and uploaded to the internet.
• Composer Floex provided music for the 2021 remaster.