Bryan plays games.

A side blog for playthroughs and liveblog projects. (Main blog: blueeyedrat)

[blueeyedrat-plays]

And there you have it. Chapter 9 complete, and what a finale it was. Gameplay-wise, it’s a bigger challenge than anything else in the game, by a mile. Story-wise... well, as much as we all hoped Madeline would finally find peace at the mountain, we knew it could never be that simple. Life will go on, and reaffirming that makes for a fine ending to the story, as far as I’m concerned.

As for me? I have other games and other projects to return to, and I hope to share some of them with you some day. Until then, once again, thank you for reading.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.

It’s not some big revelation, of course. It doesn’t instantly solve anyone’s problems. But it’s a good reminder. Something nice to think about. Something to smile about.

One day at a time.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

This isn’t the first time she’s been caught up in this cycle. I wish I could say it’ll be the last, but there’s never really any way to know for certain.

It helps to have someone to talk to. Being able to say this stuff out loud rather than bottling it up makes a world of difference.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

(♪ - Vovô e Vovó)

Reaching out.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

It’s time to wake up.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

Even in your imagination, she’s still a snarky old bat. It’s nice to know that some things don’t change, no matter how much you want them to.

All the little things she never had a chance to say.

And all the things she never will.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

(♪ - The Woman and the Bird)

One last conversation.

See? That’s what I’ve been saying!

[blueeyedrat-plays]

Going up, one last time.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

The final checkpoint of this game is an endurance test. One long, continuous gauntlet. Honestly, I should’ve seen it coming.

Individually, each segment is no more difficult than anything we’ve seen before it. The challenge comes from pulling off every step in one shot, with little room for error.

It’s difficult, but it’s not impossible.

You just need to keep pushing forward,

as

long

as

it

takes.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

The final challenge.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

Remember everything you’ve learned.

Every trick.

Every maneuver.

Every mechanic.

Adapt to new challenges. Even now, they’ll throw curveballs at you.

Take a breath.

You’re almost home.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

(♪ - Farewell)

Everyone together, now.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

Just because it’s not real, doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.

She came all the way up here, and all she accomplished was driving herself into an even deeper hole...

...and if she’s going to break free of it, she needs to finish what she started.

She came here looking for purpose, and if she can’t find it, then she’ll just have to make her own, goddammit.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

(♪ - Reconciliation)

This conversation has been a long time coming.

Sometimes there’s no right answer. No way to make things go back to how they used to be, and no way to instantly fill in the hole that’s left behind. Sometimes all you can do is move forward, one day at a time.

[blueeyedrat-plays]

And this is what forces her hand.

Someone has to say it.

Someone has to step up and tell her, “No. Don’t you dare.”

[blueeyedrat-plays]

Tell her it was worth it.

Tell her there was a purpose to all of this.

Tell her there was a reason she shut out every part of herself that told her to turn back.

Tell her there was a reason she came all this way, endured so much.

And if you can’t do that...

[blueeyedrat-plays]

Mission accomplished... but it wasn’t the result she was looking for.