Last Call is a game about packing and unpacking. It feels like the kind of conversation you have with a very close friend or new romantic partner. Intimate, vulnerable. It makes your heart knot up. Reading this poetry and packing what appears to be Nina Freeman's actual stuff is pretty voyeuristic.
Mechanically you walk around a three-dimensional space and click on boxes that are highlighted. You are then presented with an image of the box's contents and sometimes a piece of prose. You are prompted to speak one of four phrases into your computer's microphone. As far as I can tell, it doesn't matter what you say but it does recognize which phrase you used. I think that is the point - it doesn't matter what you say when someone tells you this kind of story. You have to acknowledge it, and maybe that's all that really matters?
While playing, I found myself reflecting on unhealthy relationships I have had. I consider myself fortunate not to have the extremes presented by Last Call in my past. I suspect most people will find parts of Nina's story in their history. "There but for the grace of God go I."
I "know" Nina from her Twitch streams; I'd barely consider myself a regular viewer. As I reflect on this game, I find myself wondering about what it is to interact with creators. There is already an asymmetric relationship with the average Twitch streamer. To them, we're screen names that make bad jokes and make the chat feed scroll. After playing this game, I feel like I should invite Nina and Jake to my next cookout. I imagine this illusion of familiarity will fade, but it is something I think is interesting.
So, what do you say after an experience like this? Good work? It was interesting? Thank you for sharing? I'm sorry that happened? I hope things are better for you now? I don't know. This was a well-crafted experience and worth your time.