Recent reviews by Joan Didion's a G

My husband recommended this game to me this afternoon. We both played it and found it highly effective. The game reminded me a lot of our headlines, only pitched up—addiction, resentment, distrust, indifference, neglect, vengeance, cruelty, with themes of duty and sacrifice interspersed. I appreciated the memory of unalienated labor who Hank’s self-understanding seems to represent. The shadowy figures in the window reminded me variously of—invading troops; congregants heralding an incoming messiah or UFO spaceship; or the dead coming back to life. The narrative’s skepticism of fear was hope-inducing, as were the fear-inducing elements, e.g. Hank’s dad’s face after you reach the top of the landing. The collage of staple genre elements—shooter, horror, cooking sim—felt metamodern. The reference to “disco” reminded me of “Disco Elysium,” which this game also does. It was surreal seeing such a precisely depicted Nevada-like landscape interrupted by a window that depicted a most un-American calm. I chose orange for the walls to match the sunlight. All in all, this game feels like the story of our century.

Absolutely gold

Great indie game/visual novel with some horror elements. I loved this one! This is really more of a visual novel, but the writing does a great job at exploring the line between sanity and insanity. I got really attached to the main character, whose experience with depression and feeling stuck in life I could really relate to. I really admire and appreciate what the dev was going for!!

Claudette's smoking

Honestly, I'm addicted. This is a brilliant game.