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About The Longest Walk
The Longest Walk is a biographical walking‑simulator that presents a father’s experience with depression and suicidal thoughts. Built from a 54‑minute interview, the playable segment lasts about nine and a half minutes, using the recorded audio as its sole narrative driver. The game’s purpose is to reduce isolation, encourage help‑seeking, and spark conversation about mental‑health stigma.
It is released as a free, single‑player title and runs on Windows PCs and the Steam Deck. The experience includes subtitle options and a graphics preset for readability, and it supports full controller use, including an Y‑axis inversion shortcut for gamepad players.
01 / THE GUIDE
Narrative and Audio
The entire experience is constructed from a real interview with the developer’s father, edited down to a concise nine‑and‑a‑half‑minute playthrough. The audio is drawn from the recorded interview, letting his words shape the player’s understanding of depression.
Because the story is delivered solely through spoken recollection, the game relies on listening rather than traditional gameplay mechanics, creating an intimate, documentary‑style atmosphere.
- Listen attentively to capture subtle emotional cues.
- Consider pausing between sections to reflect on the content.
02 / THE GUIDE
Gameplay Length and Structure
Players walk through a series of environments while the interview audio plays, completing the experience in roughly nine and a half minutes. The walk proceeds from start to finish while the interview audio plays, delivering a focused experience.
The short duration is intentional, aiming to deliver a focused, impactful message without requiring extended play sessions.
- Allocate a quiet time slot to experience the whole walk uninterrupted.
- Use the linear progression to focus on the narrative rather than exploration.
03 / THE GUIDE
Accessibility Settings
For optimal readability, the game recommends the “Standard” subtitle mode and the “Optimised” graphics preset. These settings improve subtitle visibility and overall performance on supported hardware.
The subtitle option ensures that spoken content is also displayed as text, supporting players who benefit from visual reinforcement of the audio.
- Select the Standard subtitle mode for clear text.
- Choose Optimised graphics if performance issues arise.
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Platform and Controller Support
The Longest Walk runs on Windows PCs and is playable on the Steam Deck. Full controller support is provided, allowing players to navigate the walk with a gamepad. An Y‑axis inversion shortcut is available by holding LB (L1) and tapping RB (R1).
Family Sharing is also listed, meaning the game can be shared with other accounts on the same platform without additional purchase.
- Use the LB + RB shortcut to invert the Y‑axis if needed.
- Share the game via Family Sharing for easy access on multiple accounts.
05 / THE GUIDE
Development and Inspiration
Created by Alexander Tarvet as part of a PhD research project at Abertay University, the game is funded by The Northwood Charitable Trust. It belongs to a series of documentary‑inspired prototypes and cites Dear Esther, Actual Sunlight, and That Dragon, Cancer as influences.
The title is published under the Abertay Game Lab practice‑based research group, emphasizing its academic and experimental nature.
- Explore the cited inspirations for context on documentary gaming.
- Consider the academic background when interpreting the game's design choices.
COMMUNITY
Player discussion