I’ve started and re-written this review several times. I’m not entirely sure that projecting my gaze onto this discussion will, in any way, advance the conversation. Of course, I agree wholeheartedly that personal agency is fundamental – specifically around the agency to choose whether to accept a societal ‘norm’ of family, or not. But I think there are more interesting ways of exploring this than the blunt instrument of this narrative.
The most interesting aspect of the game is the conflict between the protagonist and Paul – but, the thing is, I, as the player, am given no agency in how I deal with this conflict. That would have made a compelling experience – to be able to deal with and shape this conflict – to enter into a malleable discussion between these two contrasting world views.
As it is, the text feels less of an exploration of ‘right to choose’, than a given and fixed outcome of reaction to that choice – specifically, in this game, by Jennifer’s partner, Paul. And then Jennifer’s reaction to that reaction. I reached two endings.
This is obviously a subject the author is passionate about. But there’s so much more the text could have done to explore this. 4/10.
