GAME REC : CLINICAL TRIAL
This game is SO AMAZING.Â
I was constantly on the edge of my seat because the tension that is built up throughout each clinic visit is so gnawing and violent. You are constantly thinking something is wrong, but you don't know what it is yet or when it's going to happen. You keep waiting for that one dialogue response that indicts that something isn't as it should be, and for the horrors to start but that isn't all there is to it.Â
You aren't just waiting for the terror, you learn and grow and experience with the characters. Angel and Lee's lives are so fleshed out by the conversations that they have, and as they meet each other and grow closer, we also meet both of them for the first time too. We as the player are so in the dark about the lives these characters lead until they gradually reveal more and more information to each other, and this information is dropped at a pace that makes it feel like following breadcrumbs. I'm devouring each and every bread crumb that is dropped like it's my last meal because of the way the pacing relaxes and then tightens its grip. It's so well done!Â
The artwork is phenomenal. THE CONSISTENCY. Angel and Lee follow very different ways of speaking and expressing themselves physically in the sprites, and these parts of their personality and demeanor are never forgotten. Even if I couldn't see who was speaking, I would know exactly which one was them!
Going back to the artwork- I love the pixelated style and I have always adored RPG Maker style games. The animations that are included with so many of the events and especially the clinic visits are a really nice touch that make me feel very immersed in the world. You can really tell the thoughtfulness and the attention to detail that went into every single scene and interaction. It's also very unique in this aspect-- most RPG Maker games opt to not include animations, and if they do they are very simple. This game goes above and beyond to deliver the experience visually as well as through the dialogue. Turning the cute lights in Lee's house on was one of my favorite things to do, and something so small can add so much.
Music was also amazing! I didn't play with any extra background music except for the in-game music for the 3 hours or so that I played. It really set the ambience and mood perfectly.Â
I'm trying to keep this review as spoiler-free as I can. So, expanding upon my thoughts surrounding Angel and Lee and the events of the game I will be extremely cautious. I will just say that this game really makes you think. I like comparing how I felt playing this to "How much is TOO much?" Good Vs. Bad -- It's not that simple in this story. You see good intentions in bad actions, and bad intentions in good actions. The lines blur and once they do you have to look into that foggy grey area and just try to see what is happening as it is happening. And then you get to see what is done about it by the characters reactions, how THEY personally deal with the struggle. Anyone in the situation the characters face would have their own way of reacting to the events, and the true end is just one of them. It really makes you think of what I mentioned before: "How much is TOO much?" What would you be willing to deal with, forget about, not forget about, and not put up with? I like all of the options that are given in this regard, so you can see the multiple different reactions as they would play out.
I specifically wanted to expand upon Lee's character. Lee is first off, such a well-made and fleshed out character. The game makes me hate him but also feel for him in some aspects. I went through the game assuming that he would do bad things, but the whole time I was rooting against it. Seeing Angel and Lee interact made me want to believe that everything could be fine, but it wasn't, and its difficult to accept when it is revealed. Lee also (if I'm remembering correctly) never physically hurts Angel, which is way different from many of the usual play-by-plays for these kind of scenarios in media. When pressing the reject option at the shrine, he is freaked out and feels awful but he never takes it upon himself to hurt Angel for rejecting him. When you reject him after finding Angel's coworker's dead body, he lets Angel leave. I found this reaction very telling of the difference in Lee's character, showing how his behavior is very different from other killers/creeps in other media. Also if you choose 'Accept' during the shrine, he explains the doll of Angel and how he would take care of it in the hopes that it would help Angel, as he did this with his sister before during childhood. Giving good intentions behind something that outwardly is very creepy. His character makes you conflicted all around, as you can tell that he cares but that he has also done bad things, and was going around developing a relationship with Angel the wrong way. So in some ways, I felt for him, and in some ways I was scared and disgusted by him. It makes me realize that sometimes you can't just feel one of these things about a person/character, sometimes both emotions are valid things to feel at the same time. And where you go from that realization-- as Angel does-- is up to you.
Few more minor spoiler territory comments:
- The isolation that I felt at Angel being at Lee's house in the middle of NOWHERE was really wild. Isolation is always a key factor that gets me in horror, and when I would look out the front-door window and would just see the barren vast backyard with that slight hint of white-noise in the background... I did truly feel trapped and alone.
- I wish I could have seen more of the person that came in with the fun BG music and exuberant attitude! I forgot her name and can't seem to find it right now, but I would have loved to see more from her!
!! END OF SPOILER TERRITORY !!
All in all, this game is a must play! It is amazing and I really hope to see more from the devs in the future!!! I will definitely be thinking about this game for a while, and will look forward to any and all future projects!
pixelskylines
origamiaround
gummygunk
baratheonpilled
titsay
2087
snowghoul
yousharknotpass