Prog.Gaming

What is Prog Gaming?

“Welcome back, my friends
To the show that never ends”

Emerson, Lake and Palmer

For many, switching on a video game is no more than a source of quick entertainment. However, the evolution of games from the early days of 8-bit graphics and sound to the current world of rich, 3D environments, complete with orchestral scores, has paved the way for a respected form of art.

The umbrella term Progressive (or Prog) Gaming loosely covers tags such as exploration, atmospheric, immersive, adventure, story-rich, artistic, puzzles, walking simulator and indie, usually favoring non-violent games (although this is not always a prerequisite) where the focus is on something deeper; a yearning for experiencing a journey into the unknown.

The term was first coined by me and my good friend Chris Myhill, who share a love of all things Prog Rock. We saw many of the similar themes and ideals of this musical genre reflected in such games. What started out as a tongue-in-cheek method of describing them soon entered our own lexicon.


Latest posts


“Fairy King, attend and mark…”

The Longing With the biting cold of winter upon us and darkness falling early each day, I find myself drawn towards games that reflect this period of quiet, restfulness, and restoration. The Longing, with its slow pace and emphasis on patience and exploration, is the perfect choice for such a season. 2020’s The Longing is the ideal recommendation for anyone looking for something slow and different with a touch of…

Four More Games to Play If You Can’t Get Enough of Star Wars: Jedi Survivor

For anyone interested in LEGO and collectables, I currently work at iDisplayit to promote their display cases. The below blog may be of interest for anyone interested in Star Wars games! Happy Star Wars Jedi: Survivor release day! If you’re like us, you’ll be completing this hotly anticipated new Star Wars game faster than a Y-Wing bombing raid on an Imperial base. As discussed in our Jedi Survivor preview blog,…

Return to the MYSTsterious island – part two

Myst (2021 remake) Continuing on from my previous blog, I can now give my thoughts on the recent Myst remake, following a (mostly) enjoyable playthrough. I completed the game over several days, sat at my trusty computer desk while occasionally gazing out at the rainy weather. A perfect setting for such a game. Myst is billed as the new definitive edition, built from the ground up with new visuals, sound…

Return to the MYSTsterious island – part one

Myst This weekend sees the release of MYST, a from-the-ground-up remake of the original, iconic game released for early PC and Mac on September 24, 1993. As a die-hard fan of not only Myst – but the arguably superior Riven, along with its many sequels and thrilling tie-in novelizations – I am only too happy to have an excuse to talk about this extraordinary game on this week’s blog. After…

“Let my armies be the rocks and the trees… and the birds in the sky.”

2019’s Vane, presented by Friend & Foe Games, is a short, artistically driven adventure that takes clear influences from games such as Journey and Ico. Serving as a prologue, the player is plunged into a dramatic lightning storm, experienced through the main character of a young child as the world around him is smashed to pieces, giving clues as to the story beyond. Following the chaotic introduction, the player takes…

And Now My (Fire)Watch Begins

Every once in a while, a game comes along that feels special – a game that manages, almost by accident, to transcend the genre and stumble upon the elusive achievement of being a milestone in popular culture. I believe that Campo Santo’s 2016 release Firewatch is one such game. No words or description can prepare you for the masterclass of musical and soundscape atmosphere, combined with an emotionally-engaging story…

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Your Journey Begins…

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