Page - 203 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 03/01

Review: SAMOROST 3 | 203www.jrfm.eu 2017, 3/1, 199–205 nism, but this characteristic is possibly a prerequisite of any computer game that goes beyond tetris. Samorost 3 is not suitable for children under the age of eight, not because of any violence that might be encountered (there is none), but because the riddles generally require, i believe, not only profound logical thinking but also some knowledge of traditional iconography. several religious aspects are interwoven with the game. structurally, one could read the game as the mythological he- ro’s Journey described by Joseph Campbell. however, the white dwarf’s com- plete renunciation of violence and fighting brings a new note to this approach. The initiation rite represented by the journey is highly symbolic, but it works, since in the end the white dwarf (i.e., the player) is accepted into the small circle of monks, to play music with them. these monks are drawn in a form typical of the average Western mind’s con- ception of Buddhist clerics: dressed in orange robes, they dwell in a peaceful nature and are busy caring for nature and studying the scriptures (see fig. 6). there is, however, something very uncanny about them. it turns out that the evil counterpart of the player is a monk himself, his face badly blemished and obviously suffering (see fig. 7). Apparently, he was once a member of the com- munity, but this community was not strong enough to give him shelter after whatever had happened to him. he became – actively or passively – an outcast, and thus his rage takes on a human and understandable character. this is not a glorious chapter for the small congregation. What about a Jesuanic interpretation of the player and his mission? in his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul states, ‘God hath chosen the foolish things Fig. 5: Antenna music solves a riddle.