Nicholas Bostelman

I was surprised to see so many negative reviews for a game that is genuinely innovative, touching, and true to the experience of depression. Later I learned Zoe Quinn was the victim of a years-long campaign of targeted harassment in response to women playing and creating their own video games. Shocking, I know... As for the game itself, its concept is very simple. Depression Quest is a text-based choose-your-own-adventure game which, seemingly counterintuitively, takes choices away from the player based on the severity of their illness. When the player chooses to spend their time seeking medical help, confiding in friends, and spending time with others (despite the awkwardness and humiliation of doing so), options are opened up which allow the player character to live a happier and more satisfying life. It's not a "fun" game per se, but one which I found helpful and cathartic during my own depression. It's free to play, so if you're interested, don't let anyone stop you from giving it a try.