Lately, my reviews have been pretty vague, and there is a reason for that. Most of the games I've been playing lately are best experienced knowing as little as possible. Nowhere is that statement more true than in this one. This will be the shortest and least detailed review I have ever written, and I intend only to say what needs to be said in order to give you an idea of if you want to spend the $15 that this game requires. So, lets just get right into it.
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The game I'm reviewing today is called "That Dragon, Cancer." Production on it started in 2012, and it was funded through kickstarter for the last few years. It finally came out about a week ago, and it came out on the OUYA slightly earlier, but the point is that it is a very recent game that has had a pretty long, pretty famous development period. It is a point and click game that is more focused on its narration and its story, and in the interest of preserving that story, I won't say any more than the steam description does. The story follows a little boy name Joel Green in his struggle against cancer. It takes us through his family's conflicts of faith and the like as well. That is all that I'm going to say in terms of giving you the set up...but there is something else that I need to say on it before I move on.
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You are not prepared. Nothing that I say here, nor anything that anybody else tells you about the plot of this game can prepare you for how devastating this game's story is. I am not the kind of person who cries easily. If entertainment of any kind wants me to shed a tear, then it really has to work for it. That Dragon, Cancer is approximately two hours long, and I was absolutely bawling my eyes out for about 95% of the time. That means that those of you who cry really easily in movies or those who have history with the subject matter can expect to be in really bad shape throughout this game. This is not a fun game. It is not a game that is enjoyable to experience, but it is an incredibly important game that gives a great deal of perspective on the topic. It is my opinion that everybody ought to play or at least watch somebody play this game at least once. However, if you are a parent or maybe somebody who has a history with cancer (whether you had it or somebody you loved had it), then you may want to sit this one out. Because, as devastating as this game was to me, it might actually be destructive for people for whom the content hits closer to home.
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In terms of gameplay, it is your basic point and click style. It isn't incredibly complex, though it can be confusing sometimes. That is really all there is to say about gameplay, because this game really is about its story.
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In case you couldn't tell from what I've written so far (and believe me, that is a possibility), I loved "That Dragon, Cancer". When I say that, however, I don't mean in the usual way. I hated this game. I hated its premise. I hated that it had to be based off of the developer's own experience. I hated how unfair life was to this family. I hated so many things about this game, but that was the point. In interviews, the developer said that this game wasn't just about his experience, it was about cancer itself as a filthy worm, a dragon seeking to destroy everything. The point of this game was to help its players come to hate cancer as much as this family, but it was also to perhaps help those who have been affected by it to find some peace. Really, in the end, "That Dragon, Cancer" isn't just about Joel Green. It is about hope and faith, and it is about people and about how devastating events can lead people down different paths. "That Dragon, Cancer" is an absolutely beautiful game that I love and hate for all the same reasons. Normally, this is where I would give this game a score, but despite how high a score it would be, I can't bring myself to attach a numeric grade to this family's suffering. So, what I will say is this: If you can spare the $15 that it takes to buy this game on steam, then please spend it and play it at least once. If you can't spare the money, then watch somebody play it. For example, Jacksepticeye has a video of his play through, and unlike most youtubers, he handles the content with respect. Whether it is through Jacksepticeye or some youtuber or some friend, if you can't spend the money, spend the time. That is my final verdict for "That Dragon, Cancer".
Before I end this review, however, you may have noticed that I have not included pictures this time around. That is because I don't want to spoil so much as the art style in this game. That is how firmly I believe that you need to go and experience it.
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