Drowning

[Simulation/Experience/Perspective] This was a very sad story that I can really relate to as I have dealt and am still dealing with depression even to this day. I haven't really went through a virtual interpretation of it like this though... It kind of brought old visions back to me of the things and situations that I dealt with in days passed. I even teared up a little at certain points. All in all, I feel that anyone who has never dealt with despression on this level would get a good jist or at more than a taste of what its like considering the issues and scenario in question. This wasn't a game, but an emotional experience and a serious prespective that needs to be addressed and spoken about more and I like the fact that it was done though this medium, the gaming industry. Finished in 44 minutes. *Additional thoughts* For those not in favor of the genre, this title definitely isn't for you. Narrative driven games really are more of an experience than a 'game' anyhow, so I would say its safe to call that. Price point is fair for what it is. Most walking simulators are in the form of solving puzzles in order to advance through the story. (Last one I played was Anna: Extended Edition) They are meant to be be just that, first person narrative, in the protagonist's shoes if you will. Setting is different this genre of games however general scope is similar. During the time of my playthrough in mouse keyboard mode the cursor didn't seem to disappear which was a tad bit of a nuisance however that is more a minor cosmetic issue than anything, and easily fixable. This is definitely one of those titles you look for a gameplay video of if you're not sure you want to get into it or not. I'm more happy to have supported the efforts of Depression Awareness being that I'm a person who's suffered through it and lost dear ones to it.

[b]Sur la route.[/b] [i]Walk sim[/i] qui nous conte les tourments d'un jeune garçon. C'est visuellement relativement sympa. Les environnements et la musique évoluent en même temps que l'histoire pour créer une ambiance correspondant aux différents événements qui surviennent dans le récit. De frustrants murs invisibles nous forcent à rester uniquement sur le chemin bien tracé mais ceci s'explique par le fait que l'histoire nous est transmise uniquement par des phrases qui apparaissent dans le décor le long du trajet qui nous est imposé. J'aime d'ailleurs bien ce principe du texte qui reste comme ça à flotter dans l'air, qu'on peut traverser et sur lequel on peut se retourner comme une trace laissée derrière nous. Chaque affichage de nouvelles lettres est annoncé par un cliquetis caractéristique, ce qui permet d'observer tranquillement autour de nous entre-temps sans risquer de rater quelque chose. Il n'y a pas de traduction en français mais le niveau d'anglais n'est vraiment pas trop compliqué à comprendre. Le déplacement n'est pas excessivement lent mais c'est sûr qu'on aimerait parfois pouvoir avancer plus rapidement, surtout qu'il ne se passe absolument rien autour de nous et que nous avons strictement rien d'autre à faire en-dehors de la lecture. On est parfois même surpris quand on parvient à la fin d'un chapitre et qu'on passe automatiquement au suivant sans nous prévenir. D'après la liste des succès, il y aurait plusieurs objets à récupérer en route mais je me demande bien où vu qu'on ne peut apparemment jamais s'éloigner de la route déserte. Il y a également plusieurs fins mais comme il n'existe aucune possibilité de sauvegarder, il faudrait manifestement recommencer à chaque fois depuis le début si on veut tester chaque option. Ce que je n'ai aucune envie de faire. Alors bon, l'histoire n'est pas inintéressante mais est-ce nécessaire de nous faire faire tout ce chemin pendant 1h pour nous la transmettre? Quel apport à l'expérience d'avancer dans un environnement vide en attendant la suite du texte? Est-ce qu'un [i]visual novel[/i] n'aurait pas été plus judicieux pour qu'on puisse se concentrer uniquement sur la lecture et faire défiler le texte plus rapidement? Ce qui aurait peut-être aussi permis aux développeurs de soigner encore mieux la qualité d'écriture. Bref, les plus curieux profiteront du petit prix et de la courte durée pour découvrir cette sombre histoire. Les autres profiteront d'autres oeuvres qui traitent du même thème mais de façon plus captivante que ce [i]Drowning[/i].

I love depressing video games, I love indie games and I really like walking simulators, so I was quite excited for this game but I'm really disappointed to be honest. Drowning does an alright job of conveying the feeling of depression in textform but everything else is lacking and there isn't even a reason this is a game in the first place...apart from some collectibes and secret ending that don't really add that much. While Dear Esther also just has one path and minimal exploring, the whole athmosphere gives you a feeling of mystery and isolation, Drowning...simply doesn't have an athmosphere. The look ranges from bright and colourful to dark but never even has a hint of personality or beauty, everything is so very basic. The music is super corny imo, it didn't get on my nerves or anything but it sounds like some boring free music you hear while waiting on the phone to talk to someone at the post office and while it describes the feeling of depression in a realistic manner, it also lacks anything that would make it interesting, special or more insightful, it stays on the surface and doesn't go in too deep...well, except walking at a snail's pace through never ending textboxes really gives you the apathic feeling of depression, I have to give it that. Tldr: This felt like a demo of the first game someone made, very bare bones and uncreative. If you never read anything about depression before the story could be interesting, so if that's the case the price is alright.

Um lindo jogo, mesmo para mim que não domino o inglês. O jogo conta um pouco como é a vida de uma pessoa com depressão, conta como é dificil superar mas que é a capaz e você vai discobrir da melhor maneira possivel, mas também mostra como é dificil e qual é a sensação e a visão de se afogar cada vez mais na depressão. Isso é uma obra de arte! Parabéns por desenvolver um jogo simples mas tão delicado e importante como este. <3

Boring story told in a very slow way. Didn't agree with main character choises. Could not relate. Ugly and boring graphics. Repetetive and boring pianomusic. All in all, a big waste of time.

For what it's worth, I enjoyed all but the last chapter of the story. That said, it would be nice if someone adjusted the heights of some of the trees. A few are floating. Just walk the path, they aren't hard to see.

这个游戏是个什么东西啊就一直走？？？

Um jogo necessário! Sobre depressão, um pouco das fases e de como é conviver e até se afundar sem saber como é o fundo do poço, e lá em baixo entender que só há como subir. Me senti muito tocado pelo jogo e pela história, recomendo muito, conscientizar as pessoas, e lembrar a quem precisa, você não está sozinho! O jogo contém múltiplos finais.

wow just wow i absolutely love your game, thanks for this expirience, this game was very relatable, thanks!

😢