What does it mean to be free? As of the game's present, both of the two leads are "free" from previous owners. They live their lives in peace, love each other dearly and seem to have an extended social circle. Still, the game's writing makes it clear that this freedom is built on a past of opression. Dark pasts lurk just under the surface, stemming from both their individual histories as well as the larger contexts in which they were created. The marks of such on their bodies, on the way they think and both in what is said and what isn't. Can you truly find freedom in those circumstances? Can you find what you want and what you need?
Those are the question the game, and the characters in it want to wrangle with. What I liked the most about the game's writing is the way that it asks you (in a clever meta framing this is also the purpose of the tape in game) to question things that you might take for granted. What is love? What is sex? What is desire? What does it mean to be influenced by something? What does it mean to control or be controlled? Freedom is to understand yourself and your relationship to these things. To be free is to understand what you want, or at least make active efforts towards doing so.
This is no straightforward process, it involves trial and error, doubt and uncertainity but it's one that's worth doing. It comes in steps, and maybe some things are impossible to truly convey but as long as you question you will find something. Something beyond the purpose for which you were made, someone besides who you were made to be. That's good enough. Especially in a world that's actively trying to destroy spaces to do such a thing. A game for queer perverts of all knds.
The art and music are also very well done, all enhancing the unique atmosphere. The almost detatched nature of the narration enhancing the framing device and ideas surounding voyureism.
I think for me something I wanted to go for was how "horrorific" the situation/game was would depend on individual's perspectives. But also yes comphet is awful and miserable and can really fuck over your life.
The writing has a good sense of physicality and sensation. I love the depiction of Claire as basically the worst type of person alive. I think her worldview comes across very strongly in both her actions and her narration. Very good game.
The sense of alienation really comes through. I love the dynamic between the characters, your prose has a lot of very hitting lines in it and the visual presentation really enhances the atmosphere. Deeply looking forward to your next work.
I really loved this one! I think the way you use Shakespeare, theatre and R&J to tie into the broader thematics works really nicely. I really liked the characters and I thought the art was great as well, some really solid CG's. I would love to see you come back to Jinx and Avery in some form or the other.
This was really good! I feel like it fits so much into its runtime, haunting yet intimate leaving me with a lot to ponder. Also in love with the music.
Basically perfect. The presentation is stunning, the writing is immaculate and the ending really makes you feel. The Understudy did nothing wrong in her life.
