I’ve been watching compilations of reactions to Doki Doki Literature Club and like!!! (spoilers)
I think that the warnings at the beginning work well with Sayori’s confession of having depression! It lulls the player into a false sense of security ir2 the warnings!! (°ー° )
Like, okay, so it makes a point that there will be disturbing content and would be distressing for players with anxiety and depression, BUT that doesn’t spoil the game so much as make you wonder what direction it could take for it to apply! (～￣▽￣)～
When Sayori confesses her depression, it makes you think “ohhh, okay, so this is going to actually deal with the difficulties of depression and mental health and possibly look at the uglier sides and what that can be like, having a friend or possible partner and helping them through it” or something (actual common reaction!!!). Which is brilliant, it kind of breaks the tension or expectation the warnings given, it makes you think the shoe’s dropped. (◔◡◔)
It also makes you think about when the protagonist says that he feels “betrayed” as her friend for not having been told about it and how that’s something you shouldn’t say to someone confessing to their depression and that maybe he’ll learn how to treat her with more sensitivity, especially when he later reflects that he’s not being fair to Sayori in how he thinks about her!!! Which is true and you DO seem to see a setup for a dive into mental health while still being a dating sim!!! (。・ω・。)
And that’s why, when you “gently open the door,” the REAL reason for the warnings beginning, it still manages to hit LIKE A TRUCK and the reactions are beautiful lolol. ψ(｀∇´)ψ
