As the shroom-hopping race commences, an unexpected twist unfolds when the starter’s pistol misfires, sending a bullet straight through the official’s foot. Amidst the chaos, a cacophony of hoots and curses erupts, leaving the racers momentarily stalled in their blocks, awaiting the signal that the contest has truly begun. Seizing the moment, I dash forward into a vibrant field of oversized fungi, eager to claim an early advantage.
The Thrill of Competition
“It was a public service,” the silent narrator of Fallen London reassures me, a wry tone woven into the words. “One official’s podiatric misfortune can’t be allowed to disrupt the entertainment of the masses. He knew the risks.” As I navigate the spongy terrain, a Turkish girl draws alongside me, presenting an opportunity to forge a new acquaintance. Instead, I leap over the competition, bounding between the mushroom-like umbrellas, and secure my place at the podium. “Someone complains when you step on their face to spring into the lead,” the narrator quips. “Their diction was terrible. If they expect you to listen, they’re going to have to enunciate.”
Returning to the streets of London, I clutch a bounty of moon-pearls, glim, and rostygold. Yet, these winnings are merely the highlight of a day filled with adventure—one in which I find myself bloodied while attempting to rescue a group of urchins from gangsters, tracking a dirigible across the cavernous sky to investigate its installation of artificial stars, and even journeying to a dreamlike tourist city. Life in Fallen London is exhilarating, a whirlwind of experiences that surpasses any other video game I can recall.
With upcoming titles like Mask of the Rose and the anticipated eldritch farming sim Mandrake, the horizon looks promising. Meanwhile, I’ve temporarily deactivated my Fallout 76 subscription, eagerly anticipating the adventures that await aboard Failbetter’s dirigibles. While Fallen London may lack traditional graphics, a physics engine, or sound, these very limitations serve as its unique charm. This streamlined fantasy realm effortlessly slips into your spare tabs, finds a home on your phone, and nestles behind your eyelids. It offers an escape during coffee queues and a reprieve from the tumult of social media, delivering delightful doses of whimsy and wonder—if only you allow yourself to dive in.
