Play a Deranged Hillbilly Hunter in the Delightfully NSFW 'Norrland'

Our New Year's resolution for 2011? Be weirder. We have more realistic first-person shooters and self-important RPGs than we know what to do with. We want more games that evoke that singular dream-like wonder that the films of David Lynch or the music of 'The Residents' do. Care to join us on our trip into the strange? Then check out this week's picks for time wasters that will leave you as captivated as you are confused.

Okay let's get this out of the way: If you're offended by pixelated nudity, violence, and 'South Park'-style offensive humor, then don't play 'Norrland.' If you're fine with all that (and a Windows user) then download this surreal and disturbing piece of work by Swedish indie designer Cactus. While it technically qualifies as a game, we'd rather think of it as an interactive portrayal of a day in the life of a degenerate hunter. You control the hunter using the arrow keys, with the Z key for most interactions, and the X key for reloading your rifle. You'll guide your main character through a day in the woods, replete with beer chugging, urination, mushroom picking, frequent naps and dreams (ranging from becoming a bird to being forced to dance to the beat of a malicious drummer). 'Norlland's' visuals evoke a haunted nostalgia that feels like some moldy bootleg Atari 2600 cart found at the bottom of a flea market bin. As the hunter's needs become more and more disturbed, his child-like exclamations begin to convey the hunter's destructive urges with the demoralized worldview of an infant. A highbrow interpretation, perhaps, but 'Norrland' deserves the kind of critical analysis that most games could never support. Granted, you can still play the game for its despicably hilarious sense of humor.

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Play a Deranged Hillbilly Hunter in the Delightfully NSFW 'Norrland' originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tara Reed Avril Lavigne Bridget Moynahan Noureen DeWulf Nicollette Sheridan