If I had to describe this game in a word, it would be "haunting".
There's a few good reasons for that, none of which I am going to go into here. Playing the game I found myself genuinely engrossed, and even long after getting off I find myself thinking about the content. It's true how art is generally a reflection of the human condition; but seldom do I find a game so uniquely succinct in its commentary that I find myself nervous to launch it once again.
In other words, it doesn't ♥♥♥♥ around.
You're not in a perfect world. You're in a very human, very realistic world where the horrors of the depravity that a human heart can stoop to are left on full display. You get to witness both sides of a deeply broken machine as the cogs grind and clank desperately trying to get something to work. You hear the sputtering, see the smoke, and can even taste the acrid flavor of the melting metal; but the machine is still trying to turn despite its ruinous self-entrapment. Maybe it's less of a game and more of a black mirror for some. Maybe the reality of such a game is just slightly too relatable at times. Maybe the nature of what it means to truly drag and be dragged down by a system designed of one's own reliance hurts more than can be easily stated. I highly recommend the game, but do be warned that the content within does not pull punches, and the themes of abuse can be disturbing to those sensitive to the subject. I've struggled to find a good way to adequately describe this, so here is my best explanation as to why I feel the way I do.
10/10, it just breaks my heart a little.
And yes, I think "haunting" was the proper word.
