Stuttgart 21 construction inspires new satirical video game

A new satirical video game titled ‘S21 - The Game’ has been released on Steam, inspired by the long-running Stuttgart 21 railway construction project in Germany. Developed by the Stuttgart-based studio Hanging Gardens Interactive, the game is a ‘walking simulator’ that parodies the complex and lengthy pedestrian routes required to navigate the current station construction.

Players take on the role of a traveler attempting to complete a specific route within a set time limit. The game features realistic depictions of the pedestrian tunnels, sparse lighting, and eerie loudspeaker announcements to evoke a horror-like atmosphere. The project has drawn significant attention online, with many users comparing the real-life navigation of the construction site to a ‘horror trip’ or a labyrinth.