What Surrounds Us game features circle-based gameplay and cooperative exploration

**What Surrounds Us** takes its title literally, presenting players with a circular avatar that encircles a central void—resembling a donut with frosting. The game’s world is composed entirely of concentric circles, and the player collaborates with other sentient, moving circles, often guiding them to meet and interact. This design choice reinforces the game’s thematic focus on environmental connection and the interdependence of its inhabitants.

The gameplay follows a familiar adventure structure, echoing elements of classic titles such as *The Legend of Zelda*. Players traverse a large map made up of interconnected circles, solving puzzles and engaging in cooperative encounters that highlight the importance of working together with the surrounding world. Despite its psychedelic aesthetic, the mechanics remain grounded in exploration and collaboration.

The full review and deeper analysis of *What Surrounds Us* are available on The Verge, where the author discusses the game’s design, narrative, and its subtle nods to traditional adventure games.