Octodad: Imposter Syndrome in Suburbia

 

 No one suspects a thing.

I have a weakness for Developer Young Horses now, having played both Bugsnax and Octodad in the same summer.

As is often the case in humorous media, a simple premise (like an octopus occupying the role of a husband and father) doubles as a social commentary. I walked away from Octodad thinking about how we are all imposters in our own bodies, struggling to enact social and familial roles.

Octodad doesn't propose a solution for this struggle, but wow, it sure does showcase the struggle. The titular Octodad flails and slips through the grocery store. He tips over every furniture item in the living room. He shatters glass and stomps on flowers. His ineptitude exists at the very core of this game, with an intentionally obtuse control scheme and a wacky physics engine. Playing as Octodad is just as frustrating as it is delightful.

While Octodad's ineptitude is played for laughs, there are also moments of solemnity. He communicates through burbles, gestures, and expressions, transitioning from inconsolable panic to fatherly tenderness. Perhaps the most touching of his many moods is yearning. His wide, haunted eyes express more than dialogue ever could. Through glances both long and fleeting, we realize just how much Octodad treasures his fragile role.

Given the complexity of social desires and insecurities in Bugsnax, I have a hard time believing that Young Horses did not consider similar complexities when making Octodad. Octodad is trying to "pass" as human, and pass he does-- often with flying colors. In some sequences, his humanity manifests through clothing. Octodad successfully fills the role of "man" by wearing a suit and tie. Without these gendered signifiers, however, people see him as an octopus. While Octodad aspires for idyllic human cisgender heteronormativity, he exists outside of that system, so he must contend with the looming anxiety of  being discovered or outed. I wouldn't go so far to say that Octodad explicitly critiques gender roles, nuclear family units, or conformism, but I do think it successfully portrays imposter syndrome. How do we assert our belonging within a system that was not expressly constructed for us?

This question felt most pertinent in an explanatory flashback. During this flashback, we see Octodad dredge himself out of the water and onto a fishing boat. He slips behind crates to avoid being seen. In the ensuing stealth sequence, a shipmate swabbing the deck announces: "I hate octopuses." This small, offhand comment heightens Octodad's struggle. Despite unwarranted hate, Octodad carries forward with loving determination. "Love triumphs over all" is perhaps a simple and derivative conclusion for such a rich conundrum, but in the end, it is a genuinely heartwarming one.

Sky: Children of the Light

above and beyond its predecessor (literally)

In the summer of 2017, I visited my brother in Montana. I remember frequenting farmer's markets, hiking, and drinking huckleberry beer as ominous fires crept down the mountainside. One smoky night, I played Journey on the PS3. I skated down sand dunes alongside another cloaked figure whose scarf billowed in a wondrous swirl. Somewhere along the way, I lost track of my companion and continued on in solitude.

Journey is poignant but understated. It chooses its moments of reverie sparingly, from a rapturous sunlit corridor to an expanse of rolling hills. There is something barren about this game despite its splendor. It fills me with dutiful loneliness.

I was initially skeptical that Journey's spiritual successor, Sky: Children of the Light, could recapture that atmosphere. It retains some elements from its predecessor. Namely, skating through glimmering stretches of sand. It also retains a level of anonymity. Other players appear as ghosts -- just colorless contours. When you proffer a candle towards these ghosts, however, they gush with detail. Suddenly, you can see the color of their cloak, the style of their hair. These cosmetics differentiate experienced players from novices, much like the iconic scarf in Journey.

There are more players too. Sky: Children of the Light is an MMO, albeit an unconventional one. Players gather in central hubs, sit on benches, emote, and perform music. There are candles arranged in semi-circles and paper boats drifting in ponds, each inscribed with a heartfelt note. I have seen Chinese, Japanese, French, Russian (?), and English messages-- a testament to this game's global appeal. I have also chatted with other players briefly, exchanging warm greetings and names, though I will admit these exchanges shatter the wordless poignancy of Sky. The tenderest moments here are nonverbal. A proffered candle, an outstretched hand, a gleeful honk.

The main difference between Journey and Sky is flight. Flying is breathtaking. Plunging through plump, fluffy clouds, wings outstretched, contrails dragging from fingertips, it's hard not to feel a sense of wonderment. It helps that Sky is beautiful -- beatific, even. I often found myself pausing to admire sunlight glancing over gently textured prairie grass, the smooth, austere shadows along a tree trunk, or the sound of footsteps crinkling over ice.

Put simply, playing Sky is like wandering through a dream. Level designs adhere to dream logic, suffused with fog and light, punctuated by passageways, caves, and corridors. You are rewarded for exploring, be it with an in-game currency or a new friend.

Beyond the 4-5 hour story, Sky encourages you to linger. Light can be gathered daily for cosmetics and seasonal items. Players collect the in-game "currency" of candles and hearts, which can be used to acquire new capes, instruments, hairstyles, and masks. Herein lies a potential conflict: micro-transactions. Sky: Children of the Light originated as a mobile game, so it retains those roots even in the Switch port. You can buy candles, hearts, a starter pack, and an "adventure pass." Altogether, these purchases make progression easier, but they also create tension with the game's central premise.

It is difficult to reconcile an intimate, wordless game with endless purchasable content, but I would argue that Sky mostly succeeds. My interactions have been only positive. In my hours playing, I have yet to witness social posturing or excessive pay-to-play features. The community in this game is generous, supportive, and companionable. For instance, during my first play-through a veteran helped me and another moth through the Eye of Eden. I found myself smiling as we navigated the desolate landscape, kept company by one another. After clearing difficult stretches, the veteran would celebrate with confetti. When the going got rough, all three of us would hold hands, persisting as one.

I don't think it would be a stretch to say that Sky struck a spiritual chord with me. Amidst such an isolating time, I find myself charmed and awed by this world -- especially its players. I have held hands with strangers and spiraled with them through brilliant galaxies. Sky incentivizes universal human connection. It is a unifying, dazzling game that will hold a special place in my life.

A Short Hike ~ meditation

If most video games are books, then A Short Hike is a poem—perhaps even a haiku. Its brevity is pastoral, showcasing panoramic woodlands, beaches, and icy mountaintops. The landscape of Provincial Park and is expansive—yet also cozy. This is partially due to the layout, but also because of the excellent art direction. Not only does A Short Hike demonstrate clear artistic vision, but graphical settings allow you to change the pixel size from “big and crunchy” to “small and tasty” depending on your preferences.

Throughout the game, we follow our protagonist, Claire, as she traverses Hawk Peak for cell reception. While this is a simple premise, it is sufficiently motivating. We are not told what kind of phone call Claire is expecting. This gives the game a degree of mystery.

From the moment I picked up the controller, I felt wholly immersed in this world. The landscape is peppered with coins, treasure chests, sticks, and shells. Each discovery feels meaningful and enticing. You also acquire “golden feathers” along the way, which increase your stamina and allow you to reach new heights.

Characters are a joy. There are various animals scattered throughout Provincial Park. Many task you with side quests. The dialogue is quirky, with undeniable charm, reminiscent of Night in the Woods. Some exchanges are heartfelt, others whimsical. All are rewarding and feel intrinsically meaningful.

These rewarding feelings are strengthened by music. When Claire glides from a cliffside, piano notes pitter hopefully. Caught by an updraft of wind, the music will heighten as if to mimic feelings of lightness, optimism, and flight.

This game is also unafraid of silence. We see small glimpses of sobering reality—a character who cannot afford college, precious belongings gone missing, a health scare. None of these elements tip the scales towards darkness, but they add moodiness to the otherwise cheerful, summery atmosphere. A Short Hike glimmers with childlike whimsy while still acknowledging hardship.

Video games can be sprawling, epic journeys—but they can also be bite-sized, just delicious enough to satisfy and fulfill. If you are interested in a quick, serene game, then I highly recommend you pick this one up.

 

 

Chicory: A Colorful Tale ~ a meditation

slurpy artistry

 

Color has been sapped from the world. As the wielder of a magical paintbrush, you are tasked with restoring vibrancy. Essentially every part of this game is an empty canvas. Map segments feature buildings, trees, and denizens, all of whom you can paint with the slurp of your brush. Backgrounds are rendered with thick outlines, as if they were sketched in Faber-Castell pen. The grass, the water, little flowers and ivy-- everything (and I mean basically everything) is waiting for a splash of color, but beware perfectionists: this game wants you to be sloppy.

I played on PS4 using the dual-shock touchpad. My finger guided the brush, and the controller emitted ooey gooey noises with each stroke. You can adjust the size and pattern of your brush; however, it is still finicky by design. Chicory: A Colorful Tale isn't about making virtuosic masterpieces. It is about learning to embrace and even cherish perceived imperfection.

Without spoiling anything, the game tackles questions of artistic identity. The protagonist and the titular Chicory act as foils for one another, each struggling with self-doubt, perfectionism, and convergent life trajectories. I'm charmed by how fully these two complement one another, being at once friends, teachers, and fleeting enemies.

Despite all of the positive, innovative qualities in this game, I am most smitten by boss fights. These sequences offer a refreshing change of scenery, with battles set against an entirely black backdrop. The combat system is a tad clunky -- yet I cannot overstate just how stylish it is. The pulsating music, the bright teal and red strokes splashing across a black expanse, it all comes together so exquisitely. Battles feature inverted colors and bullet-hell evasion, evocative of Undertale but not derivative. In battle, brushstrokes are not permanent. The paint does not stick but is quickly subsumed by darkness. In these moments, I reflect on how Chicory: A Colorful Tale subverts typical gaming tropes. It asks you to be creative far more often than it demands destruction. Battles contrast with other elements of gameplay, such as puzzles, platforms, and painting. Rather than being a regular mechanic, these moments are a thematic culmination, embodying the doubt and hopefulness inherent in art.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a heartening story. It offers a glimpse of what games can be rather than recycling old conventions. Ultimately, it asks players to participate in the making of world and a legacy.

Toree 3D ~ Brief Thoughts

haunting vaporwave

Brief thoughts for a brief game. Toree 3d is a colorful romp. The controls are smooth, the platforming is snappy, and the world is unabashedly simple. Players hop, plop, and scamper through PS2 era graphics. There are sinister visual motifs scattered throughout this game, giving it a degree of mystery. It is becoming more common nowadays for games to experiment with tonally dissonant elements (e.g. cutesy + horror). Toree 3D accomplishes this experiment.

Moon: Remix RPG Adventure ~ a meditation

 I finished a very special game.

I am walking to the catchy beat of a stereo. Hip, experimental grooves accompany me across tracts of forest and desert. Eventually, I stumble upon a man perched on a cliff side. He is holding a guitar. I place a bet: 50 yenom for a bluebird. The man strums a sullen chord and I sit down beside him. We wordlessly monitor the sky, waiting for a single bird to pass by.

*

I am friends with a bird in town named Yoshida who invites me to a distant island. I am told that the journey will take roughly a day and a half. I clamber into a human-sized birdcage and am lifted upwards, charioted through the sky by a flock of birds tied to the cage by string. I anticipate a short cut-scene before arriving at my destination -- but no. I retain control of my character within the snug cage; I can barely move. The clock continues inching forward at regular speed. The wait is long, serene, pastoral even. Yoshida forecasts the weather and points out constellations as evening subsides into night.

*

There are few games that demand patience like Moon: Remix RPG Adventure. Moon often incentivizes waiting and marveling. It asks players to deny immediate gratification, instead opting for a more dutiful and attentive approach. To play Moon is to delight in a long, uneventful walk while listening to music. To play Moon is to amble through your own bewilderment.

Originally released for the Playstation in October 1997 (Japan only), Moon: Remix RPG Adventure has gone on to inspire games like Undertale. It has also implicitly shaped subversive game design (the "anti" RPG). Moon finally made its way to the west over 20 years after its original release, in September 2020, translated by the sesquipidallian Tim Rogers. While many of the game mechanics are outdated now, this is a perfect instance of "better late than never!"

What Moon lacks in action, it more than makes up for in absurdity. The setting is expansive, lush, and surprising. Ghostly animals occupy the landscape, separated from their bodies. You are tasked with bringing them back to life, undoing the death caused by a stereotypical RPG hero. This is where the "anti" RPG originates. You still gain levels, but these are earned through acts of kindness rather than violence.  

What's more, Moon's Playstation-era graphics complement thematic underpinnings. The quirky, putty-textured characters emphasize wonderment. Creature designs range from stylized humans to absurd monsters. Everything from the plodding day-night cycle to the lulling piano music in Granny's cottage fosters a sense of nostalgia, like being drawn into a warm embrace. 

These feelings persisted even as I watched a rocketship propel itself through the dark, slow pulse of nothingness. I finished Moon: Remix RPG Adventure in January, but I'm still thinking about it six months later -- just as I reflect on the long gone comforts of childhood.

Gris - Brief Thoughts

 

Gris is a puzzle-platformer game, often lauded as a work of visual art. It features a wordless story, told largely through artistic flourishes and gesticulation. The inky watercolor backgrounds resemble a daydream.

Our protagonist gains abilities that facilitate her adventure through this dreamy world. Each stage contributes a new color until the world is brimming with yellows, reds, blues, and greens. The art direction is breathtaking with abstract sculptures, teetering buildings, and cliffs punctuating a vast psychological landscape.

While I floundered for the first few minutes, I quickly developed an intuition for Gris's puzzles, inferring what to do based on visual cues. Gris reminds me that video games are a language. Developers teach us this language through small scale design choices, such as a cracked boulder or a glowing light. In an age where games elaborate through excessive tutorials and dialogue, Gris embraces powerful silence.

While I found myself stirred by Gris, I will admit that it is esoteric. There are obvious undertones of loss, grief, and rejuvenation here, though they only ever manifest through metaphoric cutscenes. The gameplay sometimes prolongs segments past the point of novelty, stalling emotional revelations or (at worst) intruding on my ability to fully behold the art. For every moment like this, however, there are three others that ask the player to move through the game as if through a painting. 

While Gris is not the most enjoyable game I have played, it is the only painting I have ever played -- and that is a testament to its significance!

Bugsnax - Brief Thoughts

Bugsnax is a vibrant, poppy world, populated with delectable monsters. On a deeper level, this game offers a metacommentary on the monster catching genre, asking players to contemplate what monsters represent and the purpose of collect-a-thons more generally. Collecting fills an existential void, allowing characters to confront their insecurities. As characters gradually morph into an assemblage of foodstuff, it becomes clear that snacks are a diversion rather than a solution. 

While the interplay between its cutesy aesthetic and sinister plot could have resulted in tonal dissonance, the two halves of Bugsnax are surprisingly compatible. Video games do not have to be fully escapist, nor do they have to confront dark realities directly. Bugsnax has created a world that is both whimsical and tragic, allowing players to reckon with difficult truths while still deriving enjoyment.