[h1]A Video Game Morality Play[/h1]
[i]YDELNES: Be my trouthe, no more wil Y,
For Y have no wil to be a clerke.
Of my book Y am wery;
Y was nat wonte to no suche werke.
- [b]Occupation and Idleness, a mid-15th century morality play[/b][/i]
A long time ago, before Shakespeare and the origins of the modern novel and story, the most popular form of drama was the morality play. The purpose of such dramas was to guide the audience to meditate upon nature of sin, vice, and God's mercy. In today's world of consumerism, sexual libertinism, and general overindulgence such a drama might seem surreal, simplistic, or perhaps even useless. Yet, I think there is something in here, and also in those old plays fwiw, for all. (the creator cites Camus as the main inspiration for the game which makes sense given his interest in morality)
Raige shares a lot in common with these medieval plays. You play as a pornographer, a procurer for the elite. It's played simply -- you are mid-level. You aren't a hungry beggar of the variety that you send to the elites at the casino, but you still rely upon the elites' payments and rations to survive day-to-day in the hellscape of this game. You, playing as the character Raige, struggle with the pain you are causing these women. Sometimes you'll even try to dissuade them from doing more than simply taking photos and warn the girl of the dangers of getting in too deep - yet, they all want the benefits that come from providing increasingly more depraved services. Their faces appear in-game as solid black hexagonal shapes, never fully formed or capable of expressing a relatable emotion other than the despair in their words. When visiting the strip club, your character will simply remark that you have "used all of them up." You meet the elites in a decadent, lavish casino filled with shadowy figures slumped over slot machines and card tables. The shame of your actions causes the in-game FOV to shift and blink, a brilliant approach to non-textual storytelling in this low rez game.
Outside of your home and among the trees is a giant, bright watchful eye. Inside, in your dreams and head, your mother is watching your actions. There's a bit of existentialist writing in parts. What's your purpose? Is staying alive worth what you have to do to survive? Much like Idleness from the quoted play above, the character is weary and without will. You take photos of some casual cannibalism in a children's park. Is that enough for rations? Probably not depraved or sexual enough. Go home and rest. You'll only be faced with more consequences of your own actions.
That ends Chapter 1 of this game. There's more, of course, but I won't describe or spoil the entire game. It's quite masterful for what I can only assume is a solo project by a relatively inexperienced dev. The gameplay's simple: it is a walking sim and won't blow anyone away (it's even slightly janky in parts - having to jump up stairs is funny), but it's a great story and the assets, music, cuts, and so on are purposeful and not slapdash like many indie horror projects. Indeed, it surpasses the storytelling of most major titles. If you're a fan of short stories like Borrasca or enjoy the nightmarish mood of PSX/DOS era horror titles, it's an easy recommendation at any price.
There is just so much cool stuff here. The creepiness of the faceless characters. Exit signs pointing to the sky. Mentions of things like the Suicide Era that aren't fully explained until the very end. Uneasy dreamlike sequences with actual emotional heft. Tons of unnerving imagery. Tons of unnerving descriptions of things not glimpsed. Later in the game, there's a few scenes that aren't as great and drift into sci-fi territory with too much exposition and metanarrative, but they don't take away from game enough to be a huge detriment. In the end, it's a morality play that encourages you, the player, to think about ideas of God, death, and so on for yourself. Or if you want, rebel against the absurd like Camus.
There also may be an ARG component regarding the true ending of the game. I'm not gonna pretend I figured it all out with the website and whatnot.
Also, to the dev: Please make more games.
