Orbital was one of the seven bit Generations games released in Japan for the Game Boy Advance in 2006. The bit Generations series was intended to demonstrate the artistic side of games by using graphics and sound that were simplified to the state of retro-stylish and controls that were basic yet compelling. Developed by skip ltd, Orbital has often been described as "Katamari Damacy in space" and that is not an entirely bad description. As the smallest object in a solar system, you must collect other small moons, planets, stars and whatnot in order to increase your own mass and gravitational pull until the galaxy's own sun orbits you. The challenge, though, comes from the fact that you do not directly control your movements but rather the charge of your gravitational field, either pulling you towards or away from nearby stars. Brilliant in its simplicity and so thoroughly addictive.
The sparse sound and graphics do a wonderful job of leaving the player feeling weightless, drifting in space with loose control of their actions and no control over their surroundings – an uncomfortable position to be in for sure. It is this very feeling that draws the game's experience so closely to "Shrink," the 1998 album by German songsmiths The Notwist. "Shrink" saw the band wafting gently away from their prior efforts in heavy metal and indie rock towards jazz and electronica, thanks in no small part to new member Martin Gretschmann, an established electronic musician. Martin's gentle clicks and beeps create an uneasy sense of order and well-being while Andi Haberi's percussion tethers the listener to the confused reality. Michael Acher's basslines instill a calm sense of urgency while brother Markus's vocals present a pleasant and melodic dread of the uncertainty of their environment.
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