I haven’t even cooled down yet, literally just finished it… I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a piece of art so carefully intentional, so cleverly crazy, or so painfully human. I’ve only done one playthrough, but I could guess the multitude of paths and forks, the complexity of it all, simply staggering.
My friend recommended it to me a couple weeks ago, and I went “yeah yeah, sure I’ll play it”. Oh, boy. I got hooked a few days ago and played through the entire last night -I think I didn’t blink once during the last four or five hours. I was nearly brought to tears when I met the phasmid on the island. I was hoping so hard that holding onto that belief would pay off… and it did ! it appeared at the apex of the story, the moment of resolution, and suddenly… nothing else mattered.
So much conscientious artistry went into that world, it feels incredibly tangible. That writing was unbelievable. The art style is fantastic too of course. Perfectly wraps the whole package.
For the record, I played a mostly communist Harrier, with artsy tendencies and a logician/analytical brain, but also a strangely developed sense of authority. 😂 Gotta admit I was kinda trying to throw off the game, but it… totally rolled with my weird build.
So yea I just needed to share. Peace !
Ooooh I had totally forgotten about the pheromones. I did not approach the phasmid as close as could (only walked one step towards her, renounced the second one) because I was afraid I’d blow it, she would attack me or something. Didn’t know she appeared regardless of your progress in the corresponding quest.
The pheromones are important because talking to the phasmid is such a huge moment. After the gut-wrenching final dream and the pessimism-drenched Ghost of Christmas Future for Harry that is the Deserter, the conversation with the phasmid comes in with the counterpoint of hope and wonder in the face of dreary reality. Alongside the communist vision quest, it’s one of the aforementioned beacons of hope among the nihilism the game gives you.
God, the entire sequence on the island is so good.