Players Like...

❤ Blending Live-Action and Interactivity

The game presents players with a series of short, movie-like video sequences that depict the unfolding drama between the main characters - Allison, Michael, and nurse Katherine. After each scene, players can navigate through the Overton family's house, examining various objects and documents to uncover additional context and backstory.

❤ Thematic Apperception Tests (TATs) and Branching Narrative

At the end of each video segment and exploration phase, players must complete a series of multiple-choice questions administered by the character Dr. Turner, played by actor John Hurt. These TAT questionnaires cover a range of topics, from general inquiries to more psychologically probing questions. The game advertises that players' responses to these questions influence the subsequent events and multiple possible endings. However, reviews suggest the impact of player choices is not always clear-cut. While the ability to make decisions that influence the narrative, even in small ways, is a core part of the appeal, the branching paths may not lead to radically different story developments. Instead, players report that their answers primarily impact the tone and specific details of the characters' behavior.

❤ Exploration and Environmental Storytelling

The optional exploration of the Overton family's house is praised as a highlight of the experience. By browsing through the characters' personal belongings, such as diaries, computer files, and other documents, players can uncover additional details and backstory that add depth and nuance to the overall narrative. While this environmental storytelling is not required to progress the plot, it provides an opportunity for players to delve deeper into the characters' psyches and uncover clues that may influence their understanding of the events. This layered approach to storytelling is seen as a valuable aspect of the game's design.