The Beginner's Guide

I've had this game on my wishlist for years, and I finally tried it out. I had imagined it as a narrative puzzle game, and really it's just a narrative. I don't believe Coda was an actual person in this story, but Coda represents some real concepts and real people. Possible spoilers ahead, in case you care about that: ------------------------------------------------------- The message I got from the game is that sometimes you'll see people that have a problem, and that you feel like you have to fix them. But in the process you don't naturally gravitate to first understanding them, so you try the wrong things, go too hard, and give them no space. They push you away because your attempts to help them are only causing harm instead. The lesson I think to take from the narrative is that you don't need to fix people, you can show your care and be open to listening, but if they don't want to "be fixed" or even talk to you, forcing it is not a good idea, no matter how good your intentions are. And in the same respect, you may feel that you need to fix yourself, that there's a problem with you that you discover in your same attempts to fix the other person. But that's shown to mostly be hindsight, and in the process of trying to fix your problems, for the sake of efficiency or for the sake of negating any wrongs you've made, you may find that you can't negate the inefficiency, you can't fix your mistakes, and it can cripple you. You may find that the healthiest option to begin with, was instead to let it go, forgive yourself, and move forward with what you've learned, because what you've learned isn't nothing.

Such a well-told commentary on the way we interact with the act of creating things. I especially loved the way it tackled games as an art form versus games as a form of entertainment, and a lot of the game hit close to home as someone who spends their time creating (though not games, but drawings). The visual design of the game may not be technically impressive (of course, because otherwise that would go against the whole point) but it still managed to leave a lasting impression through the pure nostalgia I felt. All in all, don't try to force coda-pendency

This game is so surreal. I would recommend this game to any aspiring game developers/designers. The message is such a paradox that it makes you feel uncomfortable thinking about it after you finish the game. It is a walking contradiction and I love it for that.

I received this game as a birthday gift from my dear friend Apple Crumble (he'll know), and it was singlehandedly the most fun ive had playing a game in a long time, which is strange because it is unlike any game I have ever played before. It is thought provoking and relatable, raw and intriguing, it has a certain charm that keeps you hooked. There is such a tasteful balance between the eeriness yet peacefulness the game gives, it feels as though I had all the time in the world to play this. I almost found myself being anxious and anticipating the end of the game because I wanted to know more, I was seeking answers and a more concrete timeline/story-isn't that ironic? anyways, highly recommend for a relaxing evening when you're feeling particularly quiet.

its best that you play it blind and alone with no interruptions. I think even watching the trailer has potential to stain the experience. its short, its raw, its beautiful and it deeply resonated with me.

I have very mixed reviews about this game. It was a decent playthrough, but the characters have really put me on the spot. I just feel bad for Coda ngl.

Пожалуйста, сыграйте в эту игру вслепую, оно того стоит. Дальше будут спойлеры, которые могут испортить первое впечатление (а окрашивать весь обзор чёрной заливкой чёто не хочется): Прошёл эту игру в очень подходящий момент своей жизни. Она о друзьях, чья дружба разорвалась из-за разных жизненных ориентиров, а именно из-за разных мнений о творчестве. Я могу понять как Дейви, так и Коду и игра судя по всему специально не даёт чётких ответов, ибо больше ударяется в филосовские размышления и опыт игры (не знаю как у других, но я её именно что прочувствовал историю и моральную/философичную дилему благодаря интерактивности сей истории). Очень понравился сюжетный поворот в башне, который превратил игру в некий диалог между персонажами и где Дейви задумывается о себе и своих действиях. Цените личные границы своих друзей и не бойтесь ставить их ради своего счастья. А возможно игра вообще не об этом и Дейви (реальный, не внутриигровой) просто любит ставить фонари на source картах, а мои рассуждения больше говорят про меня, чем об игре. Решайте сами. Или не надо, это мои мысли, сам решу.

I needed that...

This is not a game in any traditional sense, but instead subverts the expectations of what a game really is to put forth a thought-provoking narrative. It is not just a message for game developers or even creatives as a whole, but is a deeply human story that, while a work of fiction, is very much based in real emotions and struggles that many can relate to. What you get out of the game is entirely up to you, and has no one simple message or intention, but I'd absolutely recommend playing the game and sitting on what you just witnessed, cause it's a large pill to swallow.

думал, много думал, плакал. А если серьёзно, странный тип этот разраб который не хотел выкладывать свои игры, ныл что они кал, а когда его друг другим показал что игры этого типа норм, то он на него обиделся и перестал делать игры, помойму даун какой-то. Короче история говна, но эмоциональная автор молодец что не сдался и всёравно выложил недоработанные какахи недо разраба =)