I am looking for games which use the literary technique of ekphrasis: "a vivid, often dramatic, verbal description of a visual work of art, either real or imagined" (Wikipedia).
Night Guard / Morning Star, by Astrid Dalmady 4 votes "Bulk of the game is contemplation of a painting" [+]"Bulk of the game is contemplation of a painting" ( ![]() | |
Gestures Towards Divinity, by Charm Cochran 4 votes "Detailed descriptions of (and interactions with) the artwork of Francis Bacon" [+]"Detailed descriptions of (and interactions with) the artwork of Francis Bacon" ( ![]() | |
Exhibition, by Ian Finley 3 votes "The whole game is looking at paintings with several different PCs" [+]"The whole game is looking at paintings with several different PCs" ( ![]() | |
Galatea, by Emily Short 3 votes "The gameplay..." [+]"The gameplay centers on interacting with a living art work." ( ![]() | |
Ekphrasis, by FibreTigre 2 votes "Title says it all" [+]"Title says it all" --jakomo... (No comment) [+](No comment) ( ![]() | |
A Paradox Between Worlds, by Autumn Chen 1 vote "There are somewhat detailed descriptions of fanart." [+]"There are somewhat detailed descriptions of fanart." --autumnc... ![]() | |
The Waterhouse Women, by Jacqueline A. Lott 1 vote "Describes one portrait, more planned" [+]"Describes one portrait, more planned: This entry from the first IntroComp in 2002 describes one portrait; as of 2024, the author still intends to finish the work." --JTN... ![]() | |
Frontiers of the Mind, by MinusOnePublishing 1 vote (No comment) [+](No comment) ( ![]() | |
Transparent, by Hanon Ondricek 1 vote "Paintings in a Historic House" [+]"Paintings in a Historic House: also statues, and photography" --Hanon Ondricek... ![]() | |
Pinched, by Anonymous 1 vote "A heist centered..." [+]"A heist centered on a bizarre painting at a wedding. The painting is also shown in the game." ( ![]() | |
The Maze Gallery, by Cryptic Conservatory, Paxton, Rachel Aubertin, Chrys Pine, Ed Lu, Toni Owen-Blue, Christi Kerr, Sean Song, Joshua Campbell, Dawn Sueoka, Randy Hayes, Allyson Gray, Shana E. Hadi, Dominique Nelson, Orane Defiolle, An Artist's Ode, Sisi Peng, Kazu Lupo, Robin Scott, Sarah Barker, Alex Parker, Mia Parker, J Isaac Gadient, Charm Cochran, Ghost Clown, and IFcoltransG and divineshadow777 and TavernKeep 1 vote (No comment) [+](No comment) --OverThinking... ![]() | |
Conversation With A Picture, by Eva Vikstrom 1 vote (No comment) [+](No comment) ( ![]() | |
The Spectators, by Amanda Walker 1 vote "Describes a real painting at length, also based on a Robert Browning poem." [+]"Describes a real painting at length, also based on a Robert Browning poem." --Amanda Walker... ![]() | |
Doors, by Caelyn Sandel 1 vote "Navigate a maze..." [+]"Navigate a maze consisting of art. Underrated game with compelling visuals." --Kinetic Mouse Car... ![]() | |
Excalibur, by J. J. Guest, G. C. Baccaris, and Duncan Bowsman 1 vote "A Fan Wiki for an Imaginary Sci-Fi TV Show" [+]"A Fan Wiki for an Imaginary Sci-Fi TV Show: Includes detailed episode synopses as well as character and cast biographies." --J. J. Guest... ![]() | |
El Museo de las Consciencias, by Mel Hython and Santiago Eximeno and Grendel Khan and Urbatain and Pablo Martínez Merino (AKA Depresiv) 1 vote (No comment) [+](No comment) ( ![]() | |
The Sculptor, by Yakoub Mousli 1 vote "The sculpture" [+]"The sculpture" ( ![]() | |
The Primrose Path, by Nolan Bonvouloir 1 vote "Paintings as..." [+]"Paintings as descriptive portals into shifting realities." --Kinetic Mouse Car... ![]() | |
Photograph: A Portrait of Reflection, by Steve Evans 1 vote "Much of the game revolves around quiet contemplation of objects" [+]"Much of the game revolves around quiet contemplation of objects" ( ![]() | |
What Fuwa Bansaku Found, by Chandler Groover 1 vote "Apparently based..." [+]"Apparently based on a famous woodblock print." ( ![]() | |
Poll created on March 22, 2021