Reviews for Closed In Addendum

[Skullboy79]

This simple, clean game is ruined...

...by the end choice.

*SPOILER* To choose life and to make something from it after the loss of a loved one is the more difficult, more noble pursuit. To be willing to die for someone, to keep them safe, to trade your life for theirs - those are also difficult and can be made noble as well. But to frame love as blind hopelessness - where the only way out is to die as well, that is wrong.

That demeans the emotion and the experiences that were shared. The hurt doesn't get any less intense over time, it just changes its shape, becomes a tool that you work through life with. Warm memories of breakfasts together, promises for eternity, the inspiration that person gave you - those are what make life worth living afterwards.

It helps also to have a clear belief in an afterlife where our actions are rewarded in kind. He died in an accident, no fault of his own. If she chose to jump in after him, she has committed suicide, a mortal sin in Christian worldviews and an easy release from the pain. The cliched saying, a permanent solution for a temporary problem comes to mind as well. The overarching feeling of hopelessness will pass, the pain will change, the love will return - your physical life will not. "The undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveller returns..." - W. Shakespeare.

As for the use of Nouwens' words, is not the greatest distance death? And is it not bridged by love, not by more death? Love is joy, creation,... life.

And to use the great Lebanese poet's words like that disturbs me. You must not have read more than the quote itself and ascribed your own meaning to it to use his words in such a fashion, justifying your calling of the choice of life a betrayal. "The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain...When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." - K. Gibran, from "The Prophet".

No, no, my friend, despite your best efforts and an enjoyable game, your commentary will fall short. God bless and keep up your work and contemplation on love and life.

[ohaihappyface]

Skullboy79

could not have said it any better. You are a very smart person, you should make some games or movies on here. :)

[ABlackbirdOnline]

good idea, could have been better executed

It's nice to see a poetic game with some meaning to it, which gives you a 'moral' choice. The simple graphics were enchanting, as was the music. However, the slow movement does dull the experience somewhat. Also, I feel that the gameplay was a little confused - it started off as if it were shaping up to be some sort of point-and-click game, examining items and so on, and turned out to be merely a narrative with a choice at the end. I feel the final moment was rather abrupt and could have been given more weight by a more fitting build-up, which I felt was lacking.

SPOILER: On a personal note, I would like to say that if I were to die in some tragic accident, I would not want any loved one to commit suicide. If someone has died, there is no such thing as 'dying for them', they are already gone and your death would serve no purpose other than to put an end to your own suffering. This of course depends on one's belief in afterlife and so on. Just my opinion.

[CptOlimar]

No offense...

but the ending decision felt mechanical and forced into the plot, if the girl loved him so much why didn't she do anything to try to save him?

[Arlynos2219]

Very touching.....

This was weird, I'll be honest about that. BUT i thought it was very emotional at the same time. "Where is this at?" "What happened?" "Is she alone?" Are there aliens?" It kept me guessing till the end. You did a great job at this.