The plot and themes of this story may be considered my response to the following titles.

NOVELS
The Beach (1996) by Alex Garland
Heart of Darkness (1899) by Joseph Conrad

VIDEO GAMES
Tomb Raider (2013) developed by Crystal Dynamics
Far Cry 3 (2012) developed by Ubisoft Montreal   

FILMS
The Man Who Would Be King (1975) directed by John Huston