Saving You From Yourself

The "Mixed" score this game has pisses me off because it's due to two arguments that, frankly, don't make any sense. On one hand, there are people complaining that the game is too short. People who got the game for free, sometimes for the express purpose of grinding achievements, are complaing that the game is too short. Yes, the game is incredibly short (it takes like 10 minutes to see all the endings) but have I mentioned that it's free? On the other hand, some people are complaing that the game is transphobic because you play as a therapist who effectively decides if people are really trans or not. Just remember that this game was created by a trans woman who went through hell and back (see her other game, He ♥♥♥♥♥♥ The Girl Out of Me) and play the game to see that it's definitely not transphobic. Instead it is a simple interactive statement that says clearly and loudly: "Trans people are intelligent and responsible enough to transition". Could it be more fleshed out? Yes, of course, but it's still good this way.

Good game, I thought it was a little heavy-handed, but reading some of the other reviews clearly it wasn't heavy-handed enough. It's a critique of the current process of getting trans healthcare, specifically HRT, in many countries, which often requires jumping through tons of hoops including getting a therapist to sign off on it for you. Getting therapy is expensive, as is finding a therapist who will give you the letter of recommendation needed for HRT instead of one who will just leave you spinning your wheels, as you can do to Arle here. The harm that a bad therapist can do to at trans person is immense, it's not just a denial of healthcare, but this denial leads to financial harm and allows time to take its toll on a trans person. Transphobes often crow on and on about how 'permanent' many of HRT's effects are, but so are the impacts of not having HRT, as aging as a trans person without proper care can lead to body developments that will, in the long run, cause immense psychological harm to them.\ It's also worth noting that you do not need to play the therapist as a gatekeeper, you can instead play them as someone who just okays Arle to get care for the 'informed consent' ending, which is much more aligned with modern medicine than the purely WPATH standards that the game is parodying. There is a better way than stringing people along so they can get their hormones, or until they give up and just DIY, and that's to trust that they know they are trans better than anyone else. It's a good, straightforward visual novel, and Taylor really makes the frustration that is living while trans felt. I cannot wait to play her other games because this was phenomenal.

Do people play this with their eyes closed or what ?

Encapsulates a good bit of the trans experience. My respects to the creator, thanks for making this.

Made me feel like ♥♥♥♥, but so does (being repeatedly denied) trans healthcare, so at least it's realistic. Strong content warning for high levels of transphobia. Again, realistic, unfortunately. What most miss i think is that the views of the therapist are definitely not the views of the creator. Still, only play this if you think you are ready and/or really need it.

This game's reviews being mixed is a shame. Before reviewing, I would strongly recommend playing through the entirety of this games endings. The final one is uncomfortable, yet poignant. Especially with the knowledge from playing "He ♥♥♥♥♥♥ the girl out of me" beforehand. Both games hurt to play. But I would take that pain over never having played these. Because they meant a lot to me.

it's pretty good, probably even better if ur not trans urself or don't know about the medical gatekeeping many trans people experience. having to cycle through to see all the different paths did get a little bit tedious but it's a short game so who cares. also the epilogue - while really good and emotional - felt a bit tacked on and didn't really fit with the rest of the game. i would've preferred it maybe as a bonus option in the menu unlocked after beating the game rather than it being treated like the proper ending.