I get that this is more like an interactive story than an actual game. But I’d like some more interaction and less story. The reality of Evans’s life is just a little too close to home for me, but this would be a good learning experience for someone trying to understand depression and other mental health issues.
Actual Sunlight
Will O'Neill · Aug 11, 2015
About
Take a walk on the thin line between hope and despair in Actual Sunlight: A short interactive story about love, depression and the corporation.
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- Actual Sunlight is a "game" only in the loosest sense of the word. It paints a portrait of deep depression and the hopelessness that it brings. It is not a title for the faint-hearted or for anyone who may already be depressed. However, if you're looking for an experience that will yield an understanding of those who suffer from debilitating depression -- and that is a worthy goal -- then Actual Sunlight may be the right choice.
- Actual Sunlight is a story worth experiencing, even if the format chosen to tell this tale is a little rough around the edges. Limitations with the engine, as well as a short story that feels rushed, make for a video game that won’t impress in many categories. Lengthy text-based sections will also cut some players out of the equation, but if you can get through this fairly rudimentary experience, then you will find one of the deeper and more necessary stories available.
- 9.0Ask the average gamer why they play, and the word "fun" is likely to appear in their answer. Evan Winter would answer differently, and along the same line, I cannot recommend Actual Sunlight as I would other games. It is not fun, but it was not created for your entertainment. If you are currently in the throes of depression, I implore you to hold off until you are in a better place. For all others, especially those in recovery, this is a beautiful and uncompromising portrait of despair.
- 7.0Actual Sunlight's ability to stir discomfort is its greatest achievement. It depicts the difficulties of trying to beat depression alone, and while that makes for some pretty heavy material, it's successful in what it sets out to do. There's no punch pulling here; there isn't any back slapping to make you feel better about what you're seeing. As such, this won't necessarily improve the mood of anyone that's dealing with depression. It will, however, give perspective to someone on the outside looking in – and that's powerful.
- 8.0Actual Sunlight is an insightful look at how some people deal with depression, and the struggles of everyday life. It is a focused game that tells the story that creator Will O’Neill wants to, and is better off for it. Few games will make players this uncomfortable, and few handle serious topics with this much grace. It may not be enjoyable to play, but it is absolutely worth playing.
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