INDIKA takes players on a journey of religious self-discovery through the eyes of its titular protagonist, Indika, who is accompanied on this path by none other than the Devil himself. This critically acclaimed and multi-nominated project delves into the impact of religion on human life, using the protagonist’s mental state as a means to create complex in-game puzzles. In an interview with Game Developer, Dmitry Svetlov, the game’s writer and director, shared insights into the creative challenges behind this one-of-a-kind title.
Svetlov emphasized that INDIKA is the result of his long-standing passion for stories that explore human nature. He explained that the game originated from ideas that had been with him for years before development even began. Through this project, he aimed to examine religion as both a powerful social and personal phenomenon, and how it shapes individuals.
For Svetlov, video games are the ideal medium for exploring complex themes such as faith and inner conflict. INDIKA uses the concept of a “game” as a metaphor for the rules we follow in life, expecting a reward for “winning” and fearing punishment for “losing.” The interactive nature of video games allows for an exploration of these themes in ways that films or books cannot achieve. However, as Svetlov notes, game development is still in its early stages when it comes to fully utilizing the potential of this medium.
The puzzles in INDIKA are physical manifestations of Indika’s crisis of faith. The world around her literally falls apart when her inner world reaches the brink of collapse, creating confusing and seemingly inescapable situations that reflect her state of mind. Additionally, INDIKA combines a realistic art style with pixel-art elements, particularly in depictions of the past. This contrast between a dark present and a bright, joyful past reinforces the game’s themes of lost innocence and transformation. The mini-games, while simple, were carefully chosen to complement the narrative, without aiming for excessive complexity.
The Devil in INDIKA is not a traditional antagonist. Instead, he is a part of Indika—her “dark” side that she seeks to eliminate, but also a symbol of the inner voice that whispers thoughts she would never dare say out loud. His presence is portrayed through shadows and voice, adding layers of mystery and psychological depth. Svetlov also revealed that his personal experiences with religion, particularly time spent in churches and women’s monasteries, deeply influenced the creation of INDIKA.
INDIKA is available for PC via Steam, as well as on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
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