I want to start off by saying I really loved playing this game. It was nice to see a semi-positive take on a queer experience, since we don't see that often. I thought the lack of rules that forces the player to use context clues and previous knowledge to understand how to move on was a great representation of the world, especially for the queer experience: the world doesn't explicitly give us rules to follow, but based on the society we are surrounded by, there are rules that one must learn and adapt to in order to fit in even when they don't agree with these rules. I loved that the experience was replicated to the smallest of details and most intimate parts because it evokes empathy even from those that can't relate.
Now for what I enjoyed most about the game: the replication of anxiety. Throughout the game because of the bright colors, flashing images, and fast pace there is a sense of anxiety, even if the player is only feeling it subconsciously: the game requires the player to think on their feet in order to consistently adapt well to the constant new actions and rules it throws at you. You're, in a sense, constantly on edge waiting for the game to transition to something else. The great thing is, anxiety isn't realized until you are forced to wait. As we were talking about in class, the wait time is really short, but it feels a lot longer - suddenly the pacing has stopped in its tracks. This can feel like a quick relief, it can also create more anxiety in the form of "What's coming next?" or "Should I be doing something?" While I cannot directly relate to the trans experience, and therefore, speak with authority of it, from my studies, I can understand it as an experience with this same kind of anxiety running throughout. Being in a body that does not match how you feel or how you want to present yourself can create an anxiety about identity and how you are seen in the world. It's an anxiety that can become so subconscious from constantly being there. Then, if you get to a clinic, there is a small sense of relief - you are beginning to get to that point where you are finally going to be able to be yourself and feel comfortable doing it. However, there is also more anxiety that comes with waiting in the clinic: Is this the right decision? Should you have tried other things? What happens after? What happens if this goes well and you're still not happy?
I think this game paid a lot more attention to detail than can be accounted for on a single run. And even if this specific thing wasn't intended, it still shows that a lot can be derived and understood through this replication of experience. I think this game can evoke empathy and spread a message very clearly which may have been harder to do if it was in lecture or book form.
Comments