In What Surrounds Us, the circular motif is more than a visual gimmick—it’s a thematic anchor. You control a character that resembles a frosted donut, a ring with a hole at its center, roaming a landscape built from interlocking circles. The geometry reinforces the game’s focus on connection and environment, as you encounter other sentient shapes and help them reunite with their companions.
The design may look surreal, but the gameplay follows a familiar rhythm. The Verge’s reviewer noted strong parallels to The Legend of Zelda, particularly as you traverse three distinct regions and solve light puzzles to progress. New abilities unlock over time, such as a charged leap to cross gaps, and you learn to navigate a glitchy, serpentine substance that blocks your path.
Guidance is minimal. There is almost no text, and only sparse on-screen prompts explain the controls. This forces an exploratory mindset: you wander, experiment, and discover interactions organically. The reviewer describes the satisfaction of seeing a dark circle spring open into a new route after using a ping, while also recalling moments where careless approach to a hostile circle led to being swallowed. That trial-and-error loop is central to the experience, making each revelation feel earned.
Interpretation is left to the player. Since every element is a circle, you must assign meaning—dark red circles act as walls, for instance. Emotional beats emerge silently, such as when a solitary circle joins a group and spins with what can only be read as joy. The ambient soundtrack is unobtrusive yet persistent, “surrounding” you in quiet hums that complement the wandering pace.
Clocking in at around three hours, What Surrounds Us manages to pack thematic depth and playful mechanics into a tight package. It is available now on PC via Steam.
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