It's so interesting that in the "happy ending" when you check the menu, you see that Lera's portrait is missing. I don't know if it was intentional, but to me it seemed to symbolize the dissolution of her own identity into the fleshy hive mind necessary to achieve that kind of artificial happiness. This game was beautifully crafted, so much so I can imagine a movie version of Flesh, Blood, & Concrete with real life actors lol. I think regardless of background, a lot of people can relate to the idea of wanting to do anything to get away from pain, which makes Nika's arguments persuasive on the surface. But the sad reality is that the only way to have pleasurable happy experiences is to open yourself up to the possibility of displeasure and discomfort, at least sometimes. Also on a side note, it would have been so easy to make Nika the typical deceitful creepy child horror archetype. But the fact that Nika wholeheartedly believes the things she's saying because that's been her reality for decades and that's the way she's coped adds so much to the themes. The relationship between Lera and Nika is honestly one of the strongest elements of the game.
Hi. I made an account just to leave a review about this game. This is one of the best games I've played in a long time. At first, it's very deeply unsettling and as you play, you get this growing sense of dread that something bad is going to happen at any moment. I am not easily creeped out and gore/body horror has never bothered me, but there were undertones to this that were just viscerally uncomfortable in a way I can't quite describe. I should note that technically the content isn't that bad, but the way it's presented is done very well. Constant saving because I was prepared for literally anything. But as you play, the story gets deeper than that. Truly a beautiful game. I took the time to explore all possibilities for the game. There's a whole lot to unpack in this story and so much deep symbolism to it. I really love how it was done. Highly recommend if you're looking for a good, short game.
Hello. Me and a friend have played this game a month ago, but I couldn't write exactly just how impactful and beautiful this game is. I think I never will be able to do it fully, but I still want to tell you that you have created a masterpiece I never want to forget. We spoke of it until sunrise. Both of us are from different countries, but we both felt this "something", the feeling of a post-Soviet dilapidation and nostalgia! It's incredible that you're not Russian (I assume), because I'd never expect someone from outside the Eastern Bloc to understand this feeling so well. Or this everpresent feeling of an empty life, where you are afraid to die, but think about how good it would be to go out peacefully, without suffering. Or this twisted, but good, but needed, hope and optimism for something in the future, or at least a desire to live, to exist. Anything I say now will be pointless, because your game has said everything for me.
I've read your journals and saw your other beautiful artwork. It is incredible that you are not only a great game dev (something that already needs several different talents like artistry and coding), you are also a biologist and study Russian, you have so many passions and skills that other people would struggle to contain within them. I know I do.
I have already forgotten the names of the two main characters since last month. I am very bad with names. But I want to let you know that I'll never forget their bond of friendship and what they meant for each other.
Thank you for this wonderful and thought-provoking game and, more importantly, thank you for existing, for bringing your talent and your passion into the world.
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Help guys how do i get out of rhe room with the shifting walls? They aren’t moving for me but maybe I'm slow 😭
---SPOILER WARNING---
It's so interesting that in the "happy ending" when you check the menu, you see that Lera's portrait is missing. I don't know if it was intentional, but to me it seemed to symbolize the dissolution of her own identity into the
fleshy hive mindnecessary to achieve that kind of artificial happiness.This game was beautifully crafted, so much so I can imagine a movie version of Flesh, Blood, & Concrete with real life actors lol. I think regardless of background, a lot of people can relate to the idea of wanting to do anything to get away from pain, which makes Nika's arguments persuasive on the surface. But the sad reality is that the only way to have pleasurable happy experiences is to open yourself up to the possibility of displeasure and discomfort, at least sometimes.
Also on a side note, it would have been so easy to make Nika the typical deceitful creepy child horror archetype. But the fact that Nika wholeheartedly believes the things she's saying because that's been her reality for decades and that's the way she's coped adds so much to the themes. The relationship between Lera and Nika is honestly one of the strongest elements of the game.
i just got done with this game and i gotta say this is a beautiful game,
Hi. I made an account just to leave a review about this game. This is one of the best games I've played in a long time. At first, it's very deeply unsettling and as you play, you get this growing sense of dread that something bad is going to happen at any moment. I am not easily creeped out and gore/body horror has never bothered me, but there were undertones to this that were just viscerally uncomfortable in a way I can't quite describe. I should note that technically the content isn't that bad, but the way it's presented is done very well. Constant saving because I was prepared for literally anything. But as you play, the story gets deeper than that. Truly a beautiful game. I took the time to explore all possibilities for the game. There's a whole lot to unpack in this story and so much deep symbolism to it. I really love how it was done. Highly recommend if you're looking for a good, short game.
wow... I cannot believe how deep and meaningful that game was... thank you for such an incredible experience
also how many endings are ther
Someone tell Daniel Profeta about this cuz HOLY SHIT THERE'S A LOT TO UNPACK HERE
(10/10)
Hello. Me and a friend have played this game a month ago, but I couldn't write exactly just how impactful and beautiful this game is. I think I never will be able to do it fully, but I still want to tell you that you have created a masterpiece I never want to forget. We spoke of it until sunrise. Both of us are from different countries, but we both felt this "something", the feeling of a post-Soviet dilapidation and nostalgia! It's incredible that you're not Russian (I assume), because I'd never expect someone from outside the Eastern Bloc to understand this feeling so well. Or this everpresent feeling of an empty life, where you are afraid to die, but think about how good it would be to go out peacefully, without suffering. Or this twisted, but good, but needed, hope and optimism for something in the future, or at least a desire to live, to exist. Anything I say now will be pointless, because your game has said everything for me.
I've read your journals and saw your other beautiful artwork. It is incredible that you are not only a great game dev (something that already needs several different talents like artistry and coding), you are also a biologist and study Russian, you have so many passions and skills that other people would struggle to contain within them. I know I do.
I have already forgotten the names of the two main characters since last month. I am very bad with names. But I want to let you know that I'll never forget their bond of friendship and what they meant for each other.
Thank you for this wonderful and thought-provoking game and, more importantly, thank you for existing, for bringing your talent and your passion into the world.
This is one of the few games that made me tear up. 10/10 gam