Night in the Woods Review (cyaperth)
i learnt about this game some years ago and watched a playthrough of it at the time. i understood the themes more or less, and it was an enjoyable game back then ; it was fine, i liked it a lot, it had a cute art style. it stuck with me in some regards (musically, mostly) but i didn't give it too much thought at the time.
more recently i bought & played the game myself. i'm older, i'm disabled, i'm a college dropout living with my mother, i got that mental illness, etc etc. uh. i think i cried at least once? probably more. i knew everything that would happen but it was very different this time around, because i Understood. a different outlook on things was all it took. the characters in night in the woods are incredibly realistic ; they're multidimensional, they feel human (ironically enough). they're flawed and likable. likewise, what is scariest is scary because it's realistic. the pacing reflects how real life feels, and while i understand the flaws some might find in the ending, i must admit i no longer agree with it. i believe it simply fits the game. a "big bad thing" happens, and still life keeps going.
i believe night in the woods is not a game for everyone, but as someone who experiences dissociative bouts, who has to live with others not necessarily understanding the struggles i go through because of mental (and physical health) blaming it all on laziness and with my friends all progressing in life while my own seems to "stagnate", it's a perfect game for me. it's rough to sit through sometimes when the criticisms done to mae reflect the ones i face... but hey, it's realistic, innit? the game does balance heavier moments with more lighthearted, fun events and conversations fairly well, so i can't say i've ever felt it was too much. in my eyes, the game is a masterpiece.
also i'm gay as fuck. long live LGBTQ