Given the somewhat recent collection of horror-adventure games that arguably demonstrate rather notable stylistic and mechanical similarities, creating a distinguishable experience of this sort necessitates the incorporation of profoundly innovative and uniquely executed elements. Even from the short introduction alone, it seems that certain aspects and design decisions prove immediately compelling and distinctive. Specifically, the presentation of the various environments is extremely polished, and there are numerous minor details which contribute to the overall immersion into this warping dreamscape and allow for more fluid transitions between one area or perspective to the next. For example, the initial emergence of each location is exceptionally smooth, with the protagonist’s bedroom slowly melting away and giving rise to the intricate construction of their new surroundings, such as during Chapter 2 where the buildings and streetlights elongate and fold up from the ground like a turned page of a pop-up book. Additionally, also within Chapter 2, the ninety-degree rotation of the bottom plane elicits slight movement and wavering in these streetlights, garbage cans, and other environmental embellishments, which consequently makes the detailed world of this child’s dream appear truly artificial, ephemeral, and susceptible to the dreamer’s whims.
Though the gameplay mechanics do seem a bit disorienting, the labyrinthine settings of each chapter are mercifully confined in their scope, resultantly limiting the potential for confusion by purposefully constraining the expansiveness and complexity of the individual puzzle areas. I also appreciate how the gameplay sections are seamlessly integrated into the aesthetic of their surroundings, making these parts feel less like contrived moments of forced player action and more like natural impediments that arise organically during the desultory exploration of this strange realm of dreams.
With respect to the overall visual style and evident dedication to meticulous environmental detailing, I suppose it can be stated that the entirety of the game demonstrated this same, impressive level of attention to the construction, lighting, decoration, and fluid integration of puzzles into its various traversable settings. Additionally, the gameplay segments and mechanics were well implemented and paced to avoid becoming frustrating in their scale or overly confusing from their frequent shifts in orientation and perspective. However, despite this gameplay structure being rather aptly suited for a short, limited experience, it did seem as though the latter chapters could have afforded a gradual increase in difficulty or more innovative combinations and employment of its existing mechanics in order to abate any possible sense of staleness in the general concept and slowly build some additional intensity approaching the ending.
Concerning potential interpretations of the story, I do think the creation of a single, comprehensive theory might be rather untenable, as we simply can’t be assured that every set-piece, enemy, location, or general design decision was purposeful to directly represent some constituent element of the overarching narrative and its themes. After all, the foundational establishment of the dream-like or surreal, preternatural setting of this game affords the unconstrained exploration of creativity and the presentation of fantastical imagery without necessarily requiring explanation or significance.
However, if I were to speculate and apply my own personal perspective to this story, I would definitely propose the idea that this child’s journey is transpiring in the realm between death and rebirth, with certain visual elements being representational of the life they once lived and are fighting desperately to leave behind before they can finally move on. For example, the chapter featuring the stage and the masked figures, who attack the child if they aren’t currently donning a similar mask, could possibly be reflective of the common anxieties percolating through the insecure, young mind, specifically, the fear of public perception and rejection, and the subsequent pressure to conform to these expectations. The sudden rushing of trains, numerous electricity puzzles, severed limbs, and hospital area could potentially imply that the child met their end through electrocution on train tracks, which led to the crushing or severance of their arms and legs as oncoming trains mercilessly flew by.
On a more symbolic level, the train imagery could be metaphorical for the spiritual journey of the child, representing the transference of their state from the quagmire and darkness of death to the light and hope of rebirth. The child revisits and passes through visions of their past life, clambering ardently towards the “white light” of their final destination and eventually succeeding after quite literally crossing a bridge to the other side. The various enemies, blinded, gaunt, groping wildly and erratically through the deeply cast shadows of their surroundings, would therefore be symbolic for either the trapped, depressive memories refusing to be left behind, or, the lost, unguided souls who cannot attain the same transcendence as our protagonist. The final shot depicting the main child escaping, bathed in the refulgent white light streaming from the open door, while a silhouetted child looks on from a distance would, in accordance with these aforementioned interpretations, represent either the culling of past traumas necessary in order to begin anew, or, an unfortunate child who has also attempted to escape the pitiful mire of this realm, yet, despite always preceding the protagonist on their journey, cannot manage to take that last step towards rebirth.
Needless to say, numerous interpretations can potentially be substantiated concerning the precise narrative of this short experience, though it seems the true value and depth is perhaps dictated entirely by the willingness of the player to delve into and analyze the beautiful visuals and aesthetic choices found throughout the game. I do hope this creator persists in honing their skills, as I would certainly love to follow the continuation of their impressive work.