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Without breaking the review embargo, anyone else playing That Dragon, Cancer?
- Thread starter nrvalleytime
- Start date
thekiddfran
Member
Is this game coming to PSN?
transience
Member
I want to see this thing through but it terrifies me. I'm just not ready. I might never be.
In other words time to wait for the next Steam Sale oh god
In other words time to wait for the next Steam Sale oh god
I lost my son in a driving accident when he was 17. Because of that I live my life for more than just myself now. I appreciate many of the simplest things I used to just overlook because... life.
While I understand the sadness the game may cause, it may also allow you to see things in a new light. I've heard the game can have a massive impact. If you could learn to appreciate your day to day life and love your son just a little bit more. Perhaps not take some things for granted and honestly appreciate them, I think it would be worth it.
It may be something that ultimately will allow you to live life better, without having to feel the loss personally.
To each their own though. I understand.
I'm very keen to play (experience? participate?) this, I'll find some time this coming week. I have a 21 month old daughter and we're expecting a second in the coming weeks, so some part of the content is pretty close to home.
That said, I expect if you're a functioning human being (needless to say, an intrinsic ability of such a subject is the ability to feel and share empathy, even for something that is several degrees removed via physical distance, screens and pixels), this game will hit close to home no matter what.
At the very least - and if nothing else - it seems this game has challenged the language we use to talk about games, which is something I appreciate a lot. More than a few reviewers expressed that in their articles, which makes sense.
That said, I expect if you're a functioning human being (needless to say, an intrinsic ability of such a subject is the ability to feel and share empathy, even for something that is several degrees removed via physical distance, screens and pixels), this game will hit close to home no matter what.
At the very least - and if nothing else - it seems this game has challenged the language we use to talk about games, which is something I appreciate a lot. More than a few reviewers expressed that in their articles, which makes sense.
LightningXCE
Member
Watching a playthrough of this now. There's no way I could play this myself.
I'm a blubbering mess.
I'm a blubbering mess.
TheChewyWaffles
Member
Can't recommend this game. The execution is getting in the way of the story, and for a game like this that's very distracting. Add the fact that I think I'm stuck in the ocean level then I'm about done with this, emotions or not. This is not a $15 game or experience. $5 maybe.
Tangled Up in Blue
Banned
As I said in one of the other threads, I don't think I'm emotionally ready to play this right now. Being a new dad is hard enough without adding this to it (I nearly broke down watching a video review at work yesterday), but I still bought the game because I want to support the family and the developers. I'm prepared to let this sit in my Steam backlog for a while.
serenewarfare
Banned
As much as I can appreciate how great this game probably is, something like this just isn't what I come to video games for. Even things like TWD or Life is Strange that have their moments of sadness and despair make up for it and have some sort of entertainment value. There's no entertainment of any kind to be had here. Only sadness. I can appreciate people who think this is an awesome thing, but it's not something I want to experience at all.
thesurfshop19
Member
I'm in a similar boat (if you consider a toddler to keep me as a "new dad"). I just started it and I'll chime in here with my thoughts as I play through it.
Tangled Up in Blue
Banned
Please do. I really wish I was emotionally strong enough to play this, but I have a three-month-old and have become overly sentimental blubbering mess since he was born, so I can't even see myself getting through 5 minutes of it right now.
People on steam forums still manage to be scum: http://kotaku.com/that-dragon-cancer-s-developers-are-ok-with-asshole-st-1753044712
Tangled Up in Blue
Banned
This is why we can't have nice things.
I sat down and played almost the whole thing yesterday before I had to pop out. I've got two "scenes" left and I'm not exactly dying to go back and finish it this evening.
I think it's garbage. Basically every player interaction is a mess, and when you can't relate to the situation at all, the angsty poetry really misses the mark.
I really can't imagine how it feels to go through what these people have been through, and playing through this hasn't shed any light on it whatsoever. Talking about how their faith is being tested and throwing about some cliché symbolisms about storms or drowning isn't exactly eye-opening.
Maybe it'll change when I have kids? Is this one of those things new parents revel in telling others that they won't understand until they've had children? Right now, though, the more of this thing I've played the more I found myself shaking my head that they had the balls to charge what they did for it.
I think it's garbage. Basically every player interaction is a mess, and when you can't relate to the situation at all, the angsty poetry really misses the mark.
I really can't imagine how it feels to go through what these people have been through, and playing through this hasn't shed any light on it whatsoever. Talking about how their faith is being tested and throwing about some cliché symbolisms about storms or drowning isn't exactly eye-opening.
Maybe it'll change when I have kids? Is this one of those things new parents revel in telling others that they won't understand until they've had children? Right now, though, the more of this thing I've played the more I found myself shaking my head that they had the balls to charge what they did for it.
nrvalleytime
Member
There's an unhealthy assumption that everything artistic has to be entertaining or personally agreeable. The best thing that happened to poetry in the 50's and 60's was the creation of confessional poetry, deeply personal writings marked by first person pronouns and subject matters ranging from death and despair to familial relationships.
That's the kind of game That Dragon, Cancer is. You don't have to agree with the religious aspects, but it's an intimate story that truthfully (this is very important) shows how the creators/artists resolved their emotions and journey.
Gaming hasn't seen something like it, well, ever.
It's cliched to say so, but it does change when you have children. Empathy and love become objects, not just emotions. Remember that they're not asking you to relate to the situation - this is a confession, and how much you get out of it is largely dependent on who you are heading into it. I do agree the mechanics are a little sloppy, however.
BLUElightCory
Member
I'm in the exact same boat; my son will be four in March. I can't imagine anything more devastating than what this dev went through. Probably won't go near this game.
BLUElightCory
Member
Honestly it does change you. Before I had a son I was never really that affected by children in peril in movies, books, whatever. After my son came all of that changed and now that kind of thing affects me deeply. It's just something that happens.
Finished it just now in one sitting. It's a very powerful series of autobiographical vignettes that is slightly hampered by some pacing issues and clunky mechanics.
I see some of the reviews criticize it for inserting gameplay where there shouldn't be any, but given the uncommon melding of biography and game, it'd would have been a waste to not leverage the medium for the purpose of allegory. I agree with the logic behind Destructoid's rating, even if I find the rating of this game at all to kind of miss the point. I don't feel these gameplay segments were done well, but I do appreciate that they were attempted at all. I see this game as an exploration of ludonarrative storytelling and given the subject matter, the budget, and the inexperienced chief designers/developers, I can excuse most of the shortcomings. It's a dark frontier, with few guidelines, and most mainstream developers won't come close to doing what the Greens did for the foreseeable half decade.
That said, some of the episodes did drag on longer than necessary. Part of the reason is because of the shoddy controls. I don't mind clicking through waypoints to view cutscenes. I do mind, however, when my clicks don't register, or it isn't obvious when I'm able to click and when I'm not (so I'll sometimes just stare at the screen before I realize I have control again), or when my clicking triggers an unintended outcome. All these things interrupt my diving into narrative, and, except when it's used as part of the narrative, they're very grating. I think the game would also greatly benefit from smoother animations and a better art style. The environment looks fine, but the models used for the people are distracting. I think it is possible to find a style that is light on polygon count but fits the narrative better.
As for the story itself, what you get out of it will depend very heavily on the life you've lived and who you are. It goes without saying that those who've encountered cancer (as patients or guardians) will resonate with it the most. I imagine parents in general are the runners-up. Then, if you've lived a life that orbited hospitals and doctors, the game explores familiar themes. Anyone who has experienced any kind of profound loss will also empathize with the Greens' story. Lastly, avid audiences of non-fiction novels and films will see a spark of those sub-mediums in this game.
And really, that alone justifies its existence.
I see some of the reviews criticize it for inserting gameplay where there shouldn't be any, but given the uncommon melding of biography and game, it'd would have been a waste to not leverage the medium for the purpose of allegory. I agree with the logic behind Destructoid's rating, even if I find the rating of this game at all to kind of miss the point. I don't feel these gameplay segments were done well, but I do appreciate that they were attempted at all. I see this game as an exploration of ludonarrative storytelling and given the subject matter, the budget, and the inexperienced chief designers/developers, I can excuse most of the shortcomings. It's a dark frontier, with few guidelines, and most mainstream developers won't come close to doing what the Greens did for the foreseeable half decade.
That said, some of the episodes did drag on longer than necessary. Part of the reason is because of the shoddy controls. I don't mind clicking through waypoints to view cutscenes. I do mind, however, when my clicks don't register, or it isn't obvious when I'm able to click and when I'm not (so I'll sometimes just stare at the screen before I realize I have control again), or when my clicking triggers an unintended outcome. All these things interrupt my diving into narrative, and, except when it's used as part of the narrative, they're very grating. I think the game would also greatly benefit from smoother animations and a better art style. The environment looks fine, but the models used for the people are distracting. I think it is possible to find a style that is light on polygon count but fits the narrative better.
As for the story itself, what you get out of it will depend very heavily on the life you've lived and who you are. It goes without saying that those who've encountered cancer (as patients or guardians) will resonate with it the most. I imagine parents in general are the runners-up. Then, if you've lived a life that orbited hospitals and doctors, the game explores familiar themes. Anyone who has experienced any kind of profound loss will also empathize with the Greens' story. Lastly, avid audiences of non-fiction novels and films will see a spark of those sub-mediums in this game.
And really, that alone justifies its existence.
I cried, with varying intensity, for about 60 minutes straight out of 100 minutes of game time.
Arthr2ShdsJcksn
Banned
I found this to be an incredible experience, but the strongest emotional parts of the game had very little to do with what was actually happening.
Not sure if this is a spoiler, but
Not sure if this is a spoiler, but
The pictures and cards of remembrance from the kickstarter backers for people they've lost to cancer just about destroyed me.
Arthr2ShdsJcksn
Banned
Around 2.5 hours give or take.Probably best to play it in a single sitting, if possible.
affleck1981
Member
Just finished this and I don't even know where to begin. Father of a 5 year old and a two year old and I was a mess for large portions of the game. Spent a lot of the time whispering 'I'm so sorry' to Joel and his family whilst crying- I want to write the company just to say thanks for seeing this project through.
Don't think I'll play a game like this for many a year, if ever. It's not a 'good' game by our current metrics but I think it might be an important one that shifts our idea of what a game can be.
Don't think I'll play a game like this for many a year, if ever. It's not a 'good' game by our current metrics but I think it might be an important one that shifts our idea of what a game can be.
The final picnic at the edge of the world destroyed me - you have all the bubbles and pancakes you want, Joel. Have them all.
Shit, tearing up again
Shit, tearing up again
Messofanego
Banned
Loved the surrealism, multiple perspectives, themes of frustration, cherishing the good moments, and "letting go" gameplay in a couple of moments near the end.
mr stroke
Member
Well I guess a game finally got me to cry....
Just got around to this game and surprised this never got more GAF attention. Maybe its the somewhat religious aspects (As an Agnostic the "God" portions of the game didn't bother me as that's probably how the family really dealt with it) or maybe its the poor gameplay sections? Its too bad as this game will truly destroy you emotionally(which a game has never done too me) if you can make it through the awful gameplay(stuck in areas, mouse clicks not registering, no sense of what to do, etc..) the game is really worth your 2 hours.
Just got around to this game and surprised this never got more GAF attention. Maybe its the somewhat religious aspects (As an Agnostic the "God" portions of the game didn't bother me as that's probably how the family really dealt with it) or maybe its the poor gameplay sections? Its too bad as this game will truly destroy you emotionally(which a game has never done too me) if you can make it through the awful gameplay(stuck in areas, mouse clicks not registering, no sense of what to do, etc..) the game is really worth your 2 hours.