It's almost meditative playing this game.
This is less of a game than a short sharp emotional experience. I felt so proud when my cubs began to follow me out of the den, and was full of real parental worry when one of them started to straggle, then lay down and refused to go any further. I frantically hunted for something - anything - to feed the little one and get him back on his feet. I was taken aback with how relieved I was when I dropped a lemming at his mouth and he began to eat, then began to stand, then began to mew back to me. Seasons change, the cubs grew into adolescents and began to range further from my side, delighting me as they came trotting back with a rabbit to eat. I became less concerned for them, happy they had learned well. Only after some time did I realise our pack had shrunk by one. I began calling, thinking where we'd been, trying to retrace our steps and started urgently running back, calling, searching. I never found Kir, and I as a player had a troubling empty feeling like I'd failed as a parent. It was with some relief but also sadness that I watched the remaining 3 cubs head off on their own, having learned everything I could teach them. Continuing this experience through to the end is truly beautiful and I must confess there was a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. Bravo to the developers.
