To the Moon Review (A Woodland Cryptid)
I rarely leave reviews and almost never bad ones but, in this case, I really feel I have to address something. This game was a huge disappointment for me. I was very much looking forward to playing it, especially given the incredible reviews, but by the end I was just frustrated and let down.
Mild spoilers: The game gives a prominent spotlight to a character with autism (though the game never uses the actual term) and though it is incredible to see representation for people on the spectrum, it was (in my opinion) very poorly executed. Another character is somehow painted as being such a 'trooper' for sticking with them despite how 'difficult' they are due to their autism. The game insists on painting a very negative picture of what it is like 'dealing' with people who are on the spectrum and neglects to talk about the positives.
Heavy spoilers: the game even goes as far as to make the happy ending one where their life with the autistic character is entirely erased in favour of a constructed, false life with a dead relative.
When I read up on it, it didn't surprise me to learn that the creator donated to Autism Speaks which is, by many in the community, considered to be a harmful hate group that spreads dangerous notions about autism.
Really saddened to have to leave a review like this and I get that some people think the representation is actually handled well but for me, it very much missed the mark.