In the day and a half I spent since getting my previous ending, I could not stop thinking about this game. The satisfaction of this well-crafted story and character writing has serious staying power. And now I am finally here for my last ending: time to be so good and compliant.
[obligatory: hello this is a long liveblog comment, meant for dev so beware spoilers, ok here we go]
There's a very minor satisfaction that comes with realizing I've become accustomed to the barista minigame. I am now comfortable with my job. Which I guess is what happens when I spend 2 playthroughs not skipping all my shifts.
This time, I had enough energy + chances on the hill to see all the puzzles scattered everywhere. You will not believe how I felt repeatedly picking flowers and begging the sheep to accept them, over and over, so that I could get to the edge of the map for the dog's stupid ball... and, finally triumphant, finally bearing my hard-won prize, went to go back down the hill only to be stopped by ANOTHER FUCKING SHEEP. Truly insidious of you. MY HOPES. MY DREAMS. How dare you. That was so fucking funny. And I'm so mad. (It's so fucking funny.)
Austin spends so much of this game with those dead, parasitized eyes... which I immediately noticed my first time through, but I thought maybe there'd be moments of clarity. Like I'd see the light in those eyes again sometimes. But no. And now they make me so sad... bring back my son. Bring back my boy.... (He was so cute making faces in the mirror!!!!! He was so good!! HE WAS GETTING HIS SHIT TOGETHER!!!! And now I've seen all those flashbacks and I know how hard-won that responsibility was...you made me love this man, and then you took him from me. Aaauughhh. Wild how effectively you managed to establish character endearment & bond me to him despite how little time I get to spend with the real, adult version of him.)
[this is the part where I took an extended break from gaming to start taking notes for a potential fanfic. I'm realizing I'm gonna have to replay a fourth time to grab specific quotes and descriptions later. I do not mind this thought.]
Haha I understand why Riley sees the construction zone on the TV and goes "OH SHIT SORRY" now. haha.
Oh my god. Ohhhh my goddd. I'm actually getting this deer into my car. Trunk fuuuuull of doe blood. Holy shit. This is happening now. (I love how Riley has become so accustomed to this new, evil Austin--"Austin will be thrilled. He's always at his brightest around meat." ALWAYS, Riley?? Since when was this Austin's ALWAYS? It's only been a few days and Riley is desperately acclimating to patterns of reward and punishment, fighting for those few moments that feel like His Austin is back. This naked desperation for a happy Austin makes the rooftop scene especially hit so much harder....oouuuugggghhhhhh.
OH SHIT. THE DELIGHTED FACE AUSTIN MAKES AS HE RIPS INTO THIS FUCKING DEER???? HIS JOY???? hooooly shit. This sprite is kind of everything.
THE HAPPY SPRITE WITH THE BLOOD DRIPPING FROM HIS MOUTH???????????? IMMEDIATELY AFTER????? HELLO
FEEDING RILEY THE MEAT AGAIN HOLY SHIT. HI??? HELLO??? THIS ENDING IS OUT OF CONTROL. HELLO???? HELLLO??????????????
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Also the fact that the parasite is So Happy, so EAGER to share---it feels like Riley is actually earning this thing's love. And Riley is kind of falling for it back?????? This is truly our toxic yaoi.
The way they look at the mess of blood and deer carcass on the table and Riley's narration likens it to them making a mess during childhood mealtimes..... ohhhh boy you are done for... it's over. You're lost. There's no hope for this guy.
Austin humming a happy little tune while mopping up the blood 😭 I can't take thissssss what the fuck. It's so fucking happy. This fucking parasite. Aaaauuuuuu howling at the fucking moon
When the shower thing came up, I thought for sure this happy ass parasite was gonna offer to have them shower together (we're bros! We're both covered in blood! It'll save time!!), but somehow Riley making the UNSPOKEN DECISION to just grab Austin's clothes and wear them as if it's so natural...somehow hits harder??? Like, kind of cementing the fact that he's become thoroughly Austin's belonging by wearing his clothing??? Mark of ownership??? Can anyone hear me????
"Thanks for the help, I'll talk to you in the morning" When will my gay ass stop thinking these two are going to climb into bed together? (never)
The way I don't even have the choice to go home anymore...ok. ok. ok.
My man is facing the consequences of eating raw meat. My mannnnnnn. (Unrelated: I didn't expect there to be another day tbh. The last few scenes just felt so Finale-ish. Also my heart is legit racing, idk if I can handle more???????? Where are you taking me Peacg. Peach unlock the car door I need to get out. Peach.)
Austin, twiddling his thumbs and about to ask me to catch a cat: "🥺 ummm... 👉👈"
NO. NOO. I'M IN THE POV OF THE FUCKING CAT. PEACH. YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME. PEACH. WHY AM I THE CAT PEACH.
PEACH THAT WAS SO FUCKING SCARY WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO ME?
My beautiful boy's sunshine smile, painted with blood because he just shlurped a cat. Motherfucker be hitting me with the 😄
Oh...okay...we're hunting Discrete Apartment Ghost together... okay.... (aww when I save I have both their sprites in my file)
I WAS RIGHT. I WAS FUCKING RIGHT ABOUT THE AXE. FINALLY, VINDICATION !!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't like needing to chase the dude :( Austin why can't you handle this part like you did when you grabbed the cat?
Riley has just murdered a man in cold blood and started maniacally laughing, and all I can think about is if Austin (the real Austin) is still somewhat conscious within himself, able to see this... what would he be feeling, seeing this? What thoughts would he have?
the way Riley just... offers up his services for the next day, preemptively. Like he can't wait to be useful. GOD. What a game. What a GAME. Holy fucking shit.
I am too emotionally exhausted to give full comprehensive thoughts, so I'll leave that to stew and marinate in my brain and become a review later. But for now: holy shit. Goddamn. I am literally sweating.