A browser visual novel made in HTML5.
Absolutely love this game, very excited to see it continue! The characters are the main driving force of the story but the setting is also definetly a main, ever evolving and complex story feature. There is so much nuance withing the characters of this story, it pulls you so deep into their individual journeys. The way they all interact is so incredibly grounded for a story so out of this world!
Speaking more specifically to the trans representation within this game, I presonally have never seen it done better! The different portrails of the trans-masculine experience are amazing, the (as of current writing) two trans-masculine characters openly discuss their feelings on their bodies in sexual and non-sexual contexts. These two characters are treated with respect both by their peers within the story and by the narative itself, both of their personal bounderies and preferences are treated with equal narrative respect which is very refreshing to see. This doesn't prevent the deep exploration of these characters insecurities both related and un-related to their transness. Senj in particular is - in my opinion - a very true to life representation of the kinds of insecurities that cis-passing trans men experience when considering entering a sexual relationship with someone. Overall the portrails of trans characters in this game is some of the best and most grounded I have seen in media for a long time.
To speak briefly of this games shortcomings, my primary issue was the grammatical errors and misspellings within the text. It's not an immersion breaking amount simply the occasional oddly structured sentence or missing word here and there. Small errors like these are common and completely understandable when you consider that this massive project is being undertaken by a single developer. I personally have never experiened any glitches within this game and find it consistently runs very smoothly on by geriatric laptop. Furthermore I find the "Back" feature where the player can return to the previous dialouge very useful; as someone who often clicks before they think it truly is an invaluble feature!
Overall The Psych Ward In The Sky is absolutely worthy of a high place of regard in the genre of queer centric visual novels and truly deserves a play from anyone that is interested in dark erotica. I truly hope to see this game continue for many moons to come.
