I bought this game as a joke during Valve's visual novel fest after seeing various weabs, furries, and vetbros emotionally glazing the game on Twitter. I laughed and thought to myself "The game can't be that good!" and purchased it with both my guard down, and expectations low. However, as soon as game booted to the main menu and I heard Final First Page with the menu art of the fountain, I realized that this was something that had the potential to emotionally ruin me. So began my first playthrough.
Following playing through the game for the first time, my choices culminated and brought me to Ending 2, one of the bad endings. It felt agonizing seeing the credits roll and realizing it was my choices that led to the finale, and nothing else. It dawned on me that Cavemanon created an experience that purposefully lowered my guard before landing the killing blow with a tragic story that genuinely blew me away for the money I spent.
After letting my tears mix with rain for a week, I came back and completely 100% the game, leaving the golden ending for last: Ending 4. By the time I was finished, I realized that I had experienced one of my favorite stories of all time and had absolutely fallen in love with the main characters. I Wani Hug that Gator's themes of loss, disability, healing, agency, and legacy have stuck with me for well over a year, and will always bewilder me with how well they are handled. While Ending 4 is objectively the best/canon ending, Ending 3 will always be my favorite for these themes perfectly culminating into a bittersweet finale that honestly felt real.
Having 100% the game and realizing I'd never experience anything like it again, I greedily wanted more. It did not take me long to learn that Cavemanon made its debut years before with a game responsible for (at one point) the longest thread in the history of 4Chan's /v/, Snoot Game. A visual novel parodying an infamous PS5 game by the name of Goodbye Volcano High, and taking place in the same universe as Wani, Snoot Game delivered another respectful and emotional story tailored around themes of identity and empathy. Snoot Game quickly became another one of my favorite games, and I would highly recommend playing it before you pick up Wani considering its price tag is free.
If you are somehow still reading, I Wani Hug that Gator has no right being so good for its $15 price tag, just do yourself a favor and buy it and make your first playthrough blind. It is completely worth the full price for the story that it offers. If you are still not convinced, play the demo that generously covers like half the game, then buy it. It was by far one of my favorite experiences I have ever had with a video game, or any piece of media for that matter. I understand that I now belong to the HMOFA agenda and will shill Wani and Snoot Game til the end of my days.
