itch.io

i really the name of this game. "off day", carries a double meaning, first it's an off day, a break. Melody is taking a break from work and the world at large is taking a break (not really but you get the idea). but off day is something a lot people use to describe depressed days, a day where you're just- off, skewed. But that in it of itself has another implication, when you have depression it's like your entire world is "off", but as you get better it turns from a rough life, to a rough month, to eventually just a rough day. life isn't as bleak as it used to be, now it's an "off day", a rarity, a anomaly. It shows how much Melody has grown, clearly she's struggled with depression, but it's getting better. She has people now, a job and an apartment, her problems are scary but they're not so big anymore. But that doesn't stop her from having these "off days", she's still struggling, healing isn't linear but she's making it work with some help along the way. I really like Juniper too, and i liked the way she was fleshed out. She's perceptive and seems like shes so prepared for everything, but it's clear she's got some problems going on in her life, the line about "You know how my family is" implies that this has been a point of contention in the past, someone has probably fought with her because she couldn't prioritise them over her family. Just something I wondered about. Also, as a Vietnamese person seeing the name Bánh Bao made me squeal :D

Made an account just because of how much this impacted me. wow, not sure where to start. There's of course what everyone else has said about how well you captured the feeling of talking to your dad but it's so much more personal to me. It's rare I find games that explicitly show a non-western perspective, and certain parts reminded me of conversations I had with my own Asian parents. 
And the radio gosh the radio. I often found myself playing with the radio during uncomfortable moments in a desperate hope that the father would simply drop the topic. To gain some control like I would a coping mechanism.
Gosh every aspect I found too real, too human, too raw, like someone peered into my mind and saw the guiltiest parts. And it hurts because he clearly cares, he wouldn't be doing this if he didn't but you can't help but wish he didn't care at all just so you wouldn't have to have this conversation.
And the music, the music. The way I'd go through the stations and look at the clouds, trying to ignore the yellow text box so actively demanding my attention. How I would switch the radio the second a song felt too sad just so i could attempt to ignore again. Everything about it just works so well.
But the ending was what really got me. My parents are homophobic, and throughout the game I managed to project my own father onto this character, so whilst others are saying they felt closure, all I could feel as the screen fades to black was fear. and dread. Amazing how you could get both reactions out of your players.
I was stunned during the credits, watching as the words continued to appear even after the music fades. It creates a dreary atmosphere that fit my feelings after that ending.
Great game